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Hoyts planning new complex in Christchurch CBD

Work will start early next year on the new 10,800sq complex.

Staff reporter
Sat, 27 Aug 2016

A new Hoyts three-level, seven movie-screen and dining complex is being developed in the heart of Christchurch by Calder Stewart Development.

Work will start early next year on the Auckland-based Ignite Architects-designed 10,800sq m complex on a 4500sq m site on a Crown-owned car park site on the corner of Colombo, Lichfield and Tuam Sts. Before the earthquakes the site contained a row of small shops. 

Calder Stewart, one of the city's biggest construction companies, negotiated the deal with Hoyts after the movie company’s quake-damaged complex and the old railway station on Moorhouse Ave on the outskirts of the CBD were demolished four years ago.

It is the first time Hoyts has been in the CBD and it is the first multi-screen screen cinema for the city centre.  The new complex will include 14 cafes, restaurants and bars, two xtremescreen auditoriums, two lux cinemas and every seat will be a powered recliner.

Calder Stewart will develop the complex, adding to Christchurch’s rebuild. The company has just finished the Kathmandu and Vodafone buildings in the city’s innovation precinct.

Savills Christchurch managing director Jonathan Lyttle, who helped negotiate the deal, says it signifies a vote of confidence in the central city rebuild from a heavyweight player in the international entertainment business.

“It’s a coup for the Christchurch rebuild that we have been able to attract Hoyts to this key piece of central city land. The agreement brings firm plans for the cornerstone site adjacent to Ballantynes, the bus exchange and The Crossing and is another big piece in the central city rebuild jigsaw.

Mr Lyttle says along with the new central city retail precinct adjacent to this site, the cinema complex will complete the full-spectrum entertainment package in the new CBD. “The new complex in itself will be a major drawcard for people to visit the rebuilt city centre, he says. “Multiplex cinemas have previously only been located in suburban malls."

Tune into NBR Radio’s Sunday Business with Andrew Patterson on Sunday morning, for analysis and feature-length interviews.

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Staff reporter
Sat, 27 Aug 2016
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Hoyts planning new complex in Christchurch CBD
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