Christchurch container mall gone, first new building embraces lanes culture

Tuesday, 6 March 2018

This new building in central Christchurch's Cashel St makes use of the laneways around it.

Inspiration from Melbourne was behind the design for one of the first commercial buildings to replace central Christchurch's post-earthquake container shopping mall in Cashel St.

Denis Sunderland, the building's owner and developer, researched examples of vibrant laneway developments in various cities including Melbourne, which inspired AW Architects' final design for Cashel Court.

'There are some fabulous buildings in Melbourne and the laneways are such an important part of the fabric of the central city. It's exciting to have had the opportunity to apply some of that inspiration here.'

The four-level mixed use building at 112-116 Cashel St, on the south west side of Cashel Mall is bordered by Plymouth Lane to the west, as well as a new laneway which will run along the south side of the building between Ballantynes and Oxford Terrace.

* Richard Peebles' new Cashel St shopping complex will link Farmers Market to Ballantynes**

The building also includes a residential apartment on the third floor.

Sunderland said the retail spaces were suited to fashion shops, and possibly a café given the laneway location.

Professional services firms are among the tenants discussing leasing the office spaces.

Two ground floor, high stud retail spaces are on offer, along with five office units spread across the first, second and third floors, all between 235 square metres and 250sqm.

A green wall on the Plymouth Lane side of the building includes several native species.

Andrew Watson, managing director of AW Architects, said the design for the building was heavily based on its laneway location.

'The two laneways as well as Cashel Mall meant we were able to design a building that connects directly with these pedestrian spaces, incorporating lots of ground floor glazing and doors opening to the lanes. It was a great opportunity to open up the façades of the building to allow interactions with the lanes on the ground and upper levels.'

Recessed balconies are also a feature of the Cashel St façade, along with the top floor apartment set back to give the building a smaller visual scale.

Basalt cladding and glass balustrades are additional features of the exterior, along with the green wall.

Ryan Geddes, leasing agent at Savills Real Estate, said other developments in the immediate area have been confirmed including the Peebles Group's farmers market development and its building on the former Guthrey Centre site between Cashel Court and Ballantynes.

Nearby, the first Terrace bars and restaurants overlooking the Avon have opened.