After much controversy about the cost to ratepayers, Christchurch City staff will soon be moving into their new headquarters after the $113 million, 6 Green Star rated building was officially opened today.Some 1250 council staff will work at the redevelop
After much controversy about the cost to ratepayers, Christchurch City staff will soon be moving into their new headquarters after the $113 million, 6 Green Star rated building was officially opened today.
Some 1250 council staff will work at the redeveloped former post office building that dates back to the 1970s.
The Hereford St building and its redevelopment is a 50/50 joint venture between Ngai Tahu Property and Christchurch City Council.
The council had been looking for a new building for all its staff who were spread across several locations to move to since 2004. It went into partnership with Ngai Tahu in 2007 with a $105 million budget.
The council later admitted it had miscalculated the number of staff who would occupy the building and its budget ballooned by a further $8 million to the consternation of many critics.
Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand opened the building on Saturday and praised the innovation of the green redevelopment and public/private partnership.
“Bringing the council’s affairs under the one roof should result in efficiencies and provide ratepayers and residents with enhanced access to council services,” Sir Anand said.
The environmentally focused design by architect Ian Athfield earned a six Green Star rating from the New Zealand Green Building Council with initiatives such as using a Trigeneration biogas system for power generated from a local landfill instead of traditional energy and design that uses more natural light and fresh air.
Hawkins Construction recycled about 88% of the waste from the redevelopment of the project.
