New Christchurch City Council Civic Building

Rider Levett Bucknall Christchurch have been selected by Ngai Tahu Property and Christchurch City Council to provide full estimating, cost planning and post contract services on a project which will see the construction of a new $105 million civic building in Christchurch.

The existing New Zealand Post building was chosen in October as the site for the new home for the city council in a major revamp of the 1970s concrete building. The building is to achieve at least 4.5 Star rating to Green Star NZ requirements, with a desire to achieve 5 Star rating, setting the highest standards for energy and thermal efficiency. Reconstruction is due to commence in late 2008 with completion due in 2010.

Ngai Tahu Property general manager Tony Sewell said the building would be "the most fantastic building the city has ever seen and the city will be proud of it".

The concrete building, built by the Ministry of Works in the 1970s, is large enough to accommodate all council staff and facilities. It is also strong enough to support two new floors if the council needs more space. It will have a public cafe and a walkway from which people can see the council chamber. Ian Athfield, of Athfield Architects, the design firm behind the AMI Stadium and the new Selwyn District Council headquarters, was commissioned by Ngai Tahu Property in June.

Rider Levett Bucknall has had a long-standing successful relationship with Ngai Tahu Property and the new Christchurch City Council Civic Building project further cements this partnership. Rider Levett Bucknall was responsible for all initial concept estimates for the project and has been engaged in all estimating, cost planning, tender and post contract stages.