The Crown is moving forward with plans to sell three prime development sites in Christchurch, including one of the last residential super lots from the post-earthquake rebuild efforts.
Crown Infrastructure Delivery (CID), previously known as Ōtākaro, has listed a tender on the Government Electronic Tender Services (GETS) platform to find an agent for marketing and selling these parcels of land.
One of the sites spans 4,828 square meters between Worcester and Gloucester Streets, with a rated value of $5.97 million. It is part of the East Frame residential anchor project in central Christchurch.
“With a more favourable outlook, CID wants to bring the East Frame site between Worcester and Gloucester Sts to the attention of any developers with the capability and capacity to deliver high-quality, higher-density housing on this prime site,” Sarah Fields, the deputy general counsel at the agency, said.
Fletcher Living was initially selected in 2015 to develop this area, completing several blocks. In 2021, Ōtākaro reopened the market for proposals to develop up to three sites. Williams Corporation was chosen in 2022 to develop one block, and its Manchester Square project—a 111-unit apartment and commercial building—is set for completion this year.
When asked why CID opted to advertise on GETS for an agent instead of managing the marketing and sales process internally, as it had done previously, Fields explained:
“CID no longer has the necessary resources in-house to manage the entire sales process, with the company’s primary focus shifting to assisting other Crown organisations around New Zealand deliver infrastructure projects.”
According to Fields, CID is also planning to divest two sites, measuring 1,575 square metres and 5,259 square metres, located at the corner of Moorhouse Avenue and Stewart Street.
The agency is also seeking to lease two ground-floor units, sized 64 square metres and 180 square metres, on the Colombo Street side of the Te Pae convention centre.