CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL | COLOMBO AND ARMAGH ST CNR | 17L | 70 Metres | Refurbishment Completed

I expect that the opening date is not yet known as they still working on the plans of the fit out for the building. It could be finished early or late depends upon how it goes. So could be late 2016 early 2017 time frame for the grand opening. Let's hope they get stuck into the big work soon.

Royen said:

I agree and hopefully this will mean a good re-clad as well, but why then put up a sign 'Opening 2016' a few months ago?

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One thing I've noticed with building projects in christchurch is that they never finish on their original opening date. Only the base of the building is being re-clad. Which I'm happy with as I quite like post-modern buildings.

Work must be under way, saw two workers inside it today though the fence so they may be stripping out the old interior then start the conversion work soon after all being well.

jarden said:

Work must be under way, saw two workers inside it today though the fence so they may be stripping out the old interior then start the conversion work soon after all being well.

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Old interior is already gone, they gutted it during the stairwell removal and I doubt much is left. It can't be long until they rip of the podium facade though. Could be wrong though, I'm not 100% sure if they did anything with the lobby.

Yep. I too have seen people gutting out the building...

I see that the former Copthorne Hotel site over the road from this building is now on the market with a big For sale sign now up. Perhaps Philip Carter needs the money from the land to go towards his Crossing development.

jarden said:

I see that the former Copthorne Hotel site over the road from this building is now on the market with a big For sale sign now up. Perhaps Philip Carter needs the money from the land to go towards his Crossing development.

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No that's the site next-door. It used to be home to the four story allen-mclain building. I knew someone who worked in there. They are selling a site right next door to the court house though.

But its got Philip Carter name on the for sale sign. Maybe he selling all the block then bounded by Colombo, Armagh and Oxford Tce.

Looks ok. Prefer the old design but looks ok none the less.

why would they take away those balconies overlooking vic square? and that feature on the top was cool. Atleast the bottom of the building is an improvement

TonyNZ said:

why would they take away those balconies overlooking vic square? and that feature on the top was cool. Atleast the bottom of the building is an improvement

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Agreed. Bottom looks good but the new top and replacement for balconies looks shite. Looked alright at first glance but look into it a bit more and its not so good. New windows in the middle look the same as the windows they put in the BreakFree hotel on the side that will be blocked by Grand Central. In short, cheap and nasty.

Considering this was one of my favorite buildings in the city I can't help but be a bit dissapointed.

I wouldn't take the renders too seriously...Most buildings look cheap and nasty on them, but when we see the real version of it, it's not too bad.

But yeah, sad about the balconies.

^^I am just very happy the building was not bowled over!

I walk past it everyday, they seem to be doing heavy works in the lobby and the lower floors.

Do you not like Pacific Tower? I think it's a cool looking building.

According to the new Ideas to Reality timeline, the Crowne Plaza is due to open in what looks like mid-2016.

But then again, they have the Cricket World Cup positioned in 2014, so maybe take it with a grain of salt.

http://ccdu.govt.nz/sites/default/files/ideas-to-reality-timeline-2015-09-03.pdf