EARTHQUAKE DEMOLITION Thread

[jarden]

Sad to see the DTZ (78 Cashel st) go down in the snow too. Was a real fine development and suited that corner so well. It was built in 1987 by Downer they used an orange crane on it the only time we had that type uo in CHC it was in the Dallas skyscraper style of curtain wall glass popular in the 80's same as Langwood house.

[chchdesign]

This sucks, Chch CBD is going to be so empty. I honestly dont think anything short of a death in the family has depressed me more than whats happening to Chch. Its going to be a shadow of its former self. I have travelled thru the US, central America and Australia and I have honestly always considered Chch to be the best wee city in the world (but as a proud Cantabrian I might be a little biased). Now look at it. I hope with all my heart that Chch comes back bigger and better, and sooner than later because the longer it takes, the less of us there will still be living here.

[Davee]

Demolition of the Hotel Grand Chancellor in central Christchurch has been pushed back nearly two months by aftershocks and extra work.

Figures obtained from the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (Cera) show contractor Fletcher Construction said in its tender bid it could bring down the 26-storey building in 37 weeks and two days.

When Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee announced Fletcher had been awarded the contract in May, he said the job should take about 10 months and could take up to a year.

Cera said the decision to add an adjacent car park to the demolition had added four weeks to the project. The June 13 aftershocks pushed back work another three weeks, with the demolition now expected to take 44 weeks.

"It should be acknowledged that at the time of award there was still large unknown quantities with regards to the structural stability of the building and that the final solution could not be confirmed until the full engineering analysis of the building was completed," Cera said.

The three losing bidders said they would demolish the building faster, with one claiming explosives could be used to bring it down in 26 weeks and three days.

Cera has refused to release copies of tenders or disclose the price offered by the losing bidders, citing commercial sensitivity. The Fletcher demolition is expected to cost more than $10 million, and The Press understands it was not the cheapest bid.

Grand Chancellor Australia and New Zealand group manager Frank Delli Cicchi said he was happy with the progress Fletcher had made in difficult circumstances.

Work to demolish the car park was under way. When completed, it would allow a crane access to the main building.

Fletcher has not been awarded any other quake demolition contracts, but has six staff working with RCP, which manages demolitions on behalf of Cera.

Fletcher spokesman Barry Akers declined to comment, referring The Press to Cera.

The Grand Chancellor is the largest building in central Christchurch slated for demolition. It must be at least partly demolished before the surrounding area can be reopened.

[MattTheTubaGuy]

a few photos from yesterday
all that remains of the building beside the Bridge of Remebrance

By mattbennett at 2011-08-04

pouring concrete into this apartment block. Wasn't it supposed to be demolished?

By mattbennett at 2011-08-04

removed the top of the ACC building elevator shaft (I assume that's what that part is) that was on quite a lean.

By mattbennett at 2011-08-04

[Davee]

Thanks Matt - great to see the work going on.

Don't be depressed guys...........I'm very, very hopeful and excited. It's only a couple of weeks till we get the first draft glimps of what the new city may look like. I think it's wonderful that many of the buildings that are so ugly and have been built in such bad locations are gone or going and an we have the opportunity to get it right.

The DTZ buildings was always on my hit list and the final straw came when that horrid convinience store with the gross bright yellow Fish & Chip sign went up in what was meant to be a 'classy' area of town. The building always spoilt the sacred space that was meant to be the Bridge of Rememberance. I only hope that don't build there again - I know they will - but it is such a sunny and wonderful spot - what a place for a garden to gaze at the River and the Bridge!!

The other buiding that has really been exposed is the Lichfeild St Car Park building........thank goodness that is going as we!!!!!

[Davee]

The Latin for "nothing" is the only word remaining in The Press motto above the door of its former headquarters in Cathedral Square.

The Press motto is "Nihil utile quod non honestum", translated as "Nothing is useful unless it is honest".

Demolition work yesterday abbreviated the motto to "Nihil".

The Press coat of arms above the doorway was moved safely before the archway came down as part of the demolition of the earthquake-damaged building.

The archway stones carved with the motto were salvaged.

Demolition of the old part of The Press complex, which opened in 1909, began on July 21.

Demolition of The Press buildings between Worcester St and Gloucester St, the newspaper sales building across Press Lane and the Metro Cinema in Worcester St will take about two months.

[buildemhigh]

Not sure if this has been posted previously..

I have come out of retirement to post this link..

https://picasaweb.google.com/RossBec...64731880566066

Photos by Mr Ross Becker via Picassa...

Hope everyone is well and keeping warm!!

[timnz2000]

So so terrible - such a disconnect between hearing that 1300 buildings are being demolished and actually seeing them.

Also, this photo is about the creepiest thing I've ever seen in my life:

https://picasaweb.google.com/RossBeckerNZ/ChristchurchJuly18CBDRedZone#slideshow/5630666404584043522

[HavanaClub]

Page 284 has a listing of the status of all Category 1 and Category 2 heritage buildings as of August 3: http://ccc.govt.nz/homeliving/civild...lcityplan.aspx

[Milan Luka]

The Poplars

[Appreciation Station]

Are all the old houses across the road getting demolished? Chester Street East? I lived in 94 Chester Street East i think for a while...

[Bowhill]

I just got back from a few days in ChCh - still haven't had the heart to closely study the photos I took. My old university (the Arts Centre), my old place of work (the original library building), various other places dear to my heart all gone or going or damaged. One place I really couldn't face was my old high school, Avonside Girls High. I believe the main red-brick block has been demolished. Can anyone confirm this?

[Milan Luka]

Originally Posted by Appreciation Station

Are all the old houses across the road getting demolished? Chester Street East? I lived in 94 Chester Street East i think for a while...

Not completely sure mate- only one remains at this stage. Ive no idea if it is salvageable or not. Will keep you posted though...

Originally Posted by Bowhill

I just got back from a few days in ChCh - still haven't had the heart to closely study the photos I took. My old university (the Arts Centre), my old place of work (the original library building), various other places dear to my heart all gone or going or damaged. One place I really couldn't face was my old high school, Avonside Girls High. I believe the main red-brick block has been demolished. Can anyone confirm this?

Yeah its tough going isnt it. The scale is hard to fathom. Im getting sick of driving around and discovering an empty lot where there used to be a beautiful home, let alone a four story office building. I can even begin to appreciate how unsettling it is for someone who has returned to visit trying to make sense of what you're confronted with.

Im not sure on the situation with Avonside Girls. I will endeavour to find out for you though.

[Milan Luka]

The Establishment

[Milan Luka]

The Bridgewater

[TonyNZ]

Is that coming down or just being repaired?

[Bowhill]

Originally Posted by Milan Luka

Yeah its tough going isnt it. The scale is hard to fathom. Im getting sick of driving around and discovering an empty lot where there used to be a beautiful home, let alone a four story office building. I can even begin to appreciate how unsettling it is for someone who has returned to visit trying to make sense of what you're confronted with.

Im not sure on the situation with Avonside Girls. I will endeavour to find out for you though.

Thanks for that. It would be greatly appreciated.

Yes, in some ways the vacant blocks are the worst because I can't recall what was there. Still, I'm glad I've seen the old town with my own eyes at last and can understand the scale of things.

[Milan Luka]

Latimer Hotel

[Milan Luka]

Originally Posted by TonyNZ

Is that coming down or just being repaired?

Nah Tony, she's coming down. Unfortunately.

[Milan Luka]

Saatchi and Saatchi