New offering for Christchurch's Old Post Office

The Old Post Office building in Christchurch’s Cathedral Square is being offered to the market with a move away from the originally mooted plans.

Colliers Christchurch Brokers Nick Doig and Brynn Burrows are confident they will find quality tenants for the historic building given its unique proposition and character space, rare in today’s post-earthquake Christchurch environment.

The reconfigured areas comprise approximately 870sq m on the ground floor that could be split into multiple tenancies, ideally suited for hospitality space with the ability to provide outdoor dining fronting the Square. The first floor has approximately 785sq m of office space available.

“Private investors are spearheading the emerging revival of the rest of the Square, despite the lack of progress with Christ Church Cathedral,” Doig says.

Carter Group’s new four-level building on the former Regent Theatre site in Cathedral Square has become an enclave for law firms with most of its office space leased to Buddle Findlay, Malley & Co, and Anderson Lloyd while work is now underway on the long-awaited restoration of the nearby Rydges Hotel. It’s hoped the hotel will be open by the end of 2026.

Private developers are restoring the former State Insurance Building at 116 Worcester Street close to Cathedral Square while office space at Spark Square, on the corner of Colombo and Hereford Streets, is fully leased.

“All this activity bodes well for the area with investors, occupiers, and corporate tenants alike demonstrating confidence in the Square. The busy conference schedule at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre is further enhancing the catchment,” Doig says.

Since opening in mid-2022, patronage at Te Pae has outstripped expectations with more than 250,000 visitors attending over 500 events. Demand is expected to continue with significant national and international events scheduled for the remainder of 2024 and bookings looking strong for the next two to three years.

Burrows says the premium penthouse office space in Spark Square, previously occupied by Williams Corporation, was recently snapped up by a blue-chip tenant, indicating the popularity of the location.

“Quality office space in the CBD remains in high demand with few options available, particularly for tenants seeking floorplates under 1,000sq m. We’re continuing to field steady enquiry from businesses looking for this sized space.”

Recently released Christchurch City Council data shows the daily average number of pedestrians in the CBD increased by 12 per cent in the second quarter of 2024, compared to the same period last year.

A significant heritage landmark in Christchurch, the former Chief Post Office building was designed by colonial architect William Henry Clayton in Italianate style. It was completed in 1879 with an addition to the northern frontage completed in 1907.

While a larger multi-storey postal centre was subsequently built in Hereford Street, now the Christchurch City Council building, the old building was preserved and refurbished for continued post office and Telecom use.

The building, which has a Heritage New Zealand Category 1 Listing, housed the Christchurch tourist information centre, as well as a restaurant, cafe and offices, from 2000 to 2011.

- Supplied by Colliers