The chic showroom that has been home to Fisher Galleries for the past two years was designed as a bare canvas for the myriad of eclectic art, which has lined its soft white walls.
The art institution, formerly Fisher Fine Arts, is closing its gallery after 138 years in business – the past two operating from the sleek purpose-designed premises at 134 Victoria St.
Nick Doig, retail leasing specialist with Colliers International in Christchurch, said Fisher’s retrofit into the existing building had created a fantastic statement showroom in the heart of the boutique retail precinct of Victoria St.
“This is arguably the best showroom space in town. It’s hugely visible and the five metre frontage windows means passers-by have a bird’s eye view. The architect, Jasper van der Lingen, of Sheppard and Rout has created a fantastically versatile space, which is ripe for a variety of uses from hospitality through to fashion and other retail.
“Its flexibility has been highlighted many times over the past couple of years with other companies using the space for events such as fashion shows, car launches and corporate functions. It’s a fabulous entertaining area.”
The premium site covers a total of 1100m2, and includes 12 on site car parks. Its expansive retail area covers 409.8m2 and opens onto north facing coloured cut concrete courtyards.
Doig said the space could be sub-divided into two tenancies or leased as one large flagship tenancy.
Fisher Galleries will close its doors shortly before Christmas after a final art auction on December 3. Viewing will be open on November 27.
Gallery manager Michael Fisher said the company would instead concentrate on building its web sales.
“The economic downturn isn’t helping things plus there’s a lull in the art market at the moment between collectors of traditional art and the move to a contemporary genre.
“But during our time on Victoria St we’ve had really amazing feedback about the new gallery and the site. People are always coming in asking us about the polished concrete floors. The reality of the gallery is exactly what we imagined and I think is certainly equal to international galleries.”
Fisher is the sixth generation of Canterbury Fishers in the art business. The firm’s first gallery was established in 1870 in High St.
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