Ganellen seeks design precedent for Press site
Construction company Ganellen is working painstakingly to ensure the design of its new building on the former Press site in Cathedral Sq will set a precedent of quality for the Christchurch CBD rebuild.The company, which bought the property from Fairfax Media in 2008, originally planned to retain the building’s historic façade and sensitively redevelop the interior to create a unique grade A commercial space. But with the necessary demolition of the building post-February, Ganellen had to rethink.
Now it has plans for an equally impressive development, albeit modern, on the 2400m2 cornerstone property in Cathedral Sq.
The new design is for a six level building featuring ground floor retail and hospitality with four upper levels of office space and a top level terrace and enclosed entertaining area with expansive views across Cathedral Square.
Two London architects, who will partner with a Christchurch firm on the design, have already provided an initial concept for the site. Their firm is ranked by renowned Wallpaper magazine among the top 20 emerging architects in the world.
Michael Doig, Ganellen’s New Zealand director, said that the construction company approached the redevelopment with mixed feelings.
“For us, that building was the main reason we bought the site. The structure was so beautiful and we wanted to revitalise it and give it a new lease of life for the next 100 years.
“But, we have to be pragmatic and adversity has provided a different kind of opportunity.”
Doig said Ganellen was consulting with a wide variety of parties to ensure the new development did justice to the site. Initial plans had already been refined to reflect those views.
“Before February 22 we owned one of the most iconic privately-held buildings in Christchurch. We feel a real responsibility to replace it with a development, similarly regarded in its own right.”
Doig, along with sole marketing agents Jonathan Lyttle and Ryan Geddes of Colliers International, had canvassed major potential tenants about what would be important to them in a new building.
“Clearly safety was paramount, but there was also a major desire to position their business in a building that reflected the very best in modern architecture, to incorporate design, technology and sustainability while enhancing the visual amenity of the city. The major occupiers we talked with also wanted a vibrant outdoor precinct on their doorstep, with hospitality, retail and green spaces.
“We want to do something quite special and beautiful that links Cathedral Square to New Regent St, both of which are obviously very key public areas.”
The proposal incorporates a canopied entrance at the south end of Press Lane and features a series of eight bays, which gives the impression of the building rising out of the ground.
Structural engineer John Hare of Holmes Consulting said that the proposed building would be designed to provide strength and withstand seismic loads.
“A reinforced concrete core structure to each half of the building provides strength and stiffness, limiting seismic drifts and, hence, damage to glazing and partitions. In addition, these walls provide a strong central core for stairs and lifts.”
“While the exterior is highly innovative, the basic structure follows a regular grid, with variations in the floor plate from storey to storey accommodated by tying the cantilevered floor elements vertically. This helps to ensure the structure will respond evenly to any earthquake shaking.”
Richard Ballantyne described the concept as “exciting” and said it reminded him of the Guggenheim in New York.
“The main issue is that of quality. We have tended to skimp on materials in the past due to the cost but if these buildings are going to be with us for a long time, it is worth making them of the best possible materials.”
Architect Ian Athfield said that he welcomed the sculptural design.
Colliers International has spent considerable time showing the concept to large tenants who have relocated to the suburbs but are keen to return to the CBD as new developments unfold.
“Large office tenants, often currently working in much reduced space, are enthusiastic about returning to the city and want to be back by 2013 if possible,” Lyttle and Geddes said.
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