New car park raises arts money in central Christchurch

Tuesday, 13 January 2026

A new arts centre precinct car park has open, with revenue benefiting The Court Theatre, Isaac Theatre Royal and The Piano.

The latest city centre car park in Christchurch is open for business, raising money for the arts with more than 60 new spots in which to leave your car.

The Gloucester St facility, between the Isaac Theatre Royal and Court Theatre, is run by Mainland Parking, with early-bird all-day prices from $16.

The site, which previously housed the Dance-o-Mat on a derelict site, has been converted into a neat car park.

Work began on the car park, which is temporary, in the city’s performing arts precinct last year, marking another step in the area’s redevelopment.

The site, at 129 Gloucester Road, is within the arts precinct and offers more than 60 parks.

The 2081m² site at 129 Gloucester St has five accessible spaces alongside 61 other parks.

While some temporary fencing is still in place, there is a new path connecting the car park to The Piano performing arts centre on Armagh St.

The council is yet to decide what to do with the site in the long term.

Despite being run by Mainland, the Court Theatre confirmed that a licence had been granted to a new charitable company, with revenue from the car park lease shared equally between The Court Theatre, Isaac Theatre Royal, and The Piano.

The site is owned by Christchurch City Council, which is still considering long-term plans for the land.

“Thank you to Christchurch City Council for supporting Te Whare Tapere The Performing Arts Precinct,” a Court Theatre spokesperson said, “and to our audience members and community for continuing to support the performing arts in our city.”