Christchurch’s regeneration showcased at AIME 2017

The Christchurch and Canterbury Convention Bureau (CCCB) has used this week’s Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo (AIME) to highlight the regeneration of Christchurch, five years into its multi-billion dollar rebuilding programme.

Advising that new venues, shops, restaurants, restored heritage and generous green spaces are opening every month, CCCB Manager Caroline Blanchfield stated “we are unveiling an impressive new built environment around our river, parks and gardens, drawing on the city’s rich cultural and natural heritage and designed with people at its heart.”

 Openings in the last six months include The Terraces waterfront promenade, the heritage neo-Gothic Arts Centre restoration, The Piano - Centre for Music and Arts, the $26 million Christchurch Adventure Park, and Christchurch’s Innovation Precinct.

Major banks and many government departments have all moved back into the city centre bringing thousands of their staff to smart new offices while international retailers are offering sophisticated shopping along the Cashel Mall pedestrian area, with plenty of excellent laneway dining and cafes. Explaining that this new 21st century city has a real “buzz”, Blanchfield adds “the focus is on pedestrian-friendly shopping, dining, arts and entertainment.

"Our famous Garden City charm has expanded to include new green spaces framing the CBD, with the Ōtākaro/Avon River precinct as the city’s centrepiece.”

In the heart of the CBD on this prime riverfront site, Christchurch’s convention centre will be a world-class boutique facility of major architectural significance for 200 to 2000 delegates, planned for completion in late 2019.

By the time the convention centre opens, the city will boast 2,500 new hotel rooms all within easy walking distance. New hotels to open this year include the 204-room Crowne Plaza Christchurch just opposite the convention centre, and Novotel Christchurch Airport. In coming years, Christchurch will also see a new Holiday Inn Express, plus the new 200-room Peterborough hotel, and a Sudima Christchurch city hotel.

Images: Christchurch's recently opened The Piano - Centre for Music and Arts (top) and the Christchurch Riverbank (below).

7th February 2017 - NEW ZEALAND READY TO SHARE ITS CULTURE, CONNECTION AND NEW INFRASTRUCTURE AT AIME 2017 

16th December 2016 - CHRISTCHURCH ADVENTURE PARK GETS OFFICIAL OPENING 

9th December 2016 - ‘UNECONOMIC TO REPAIR’ CHRISTCHURCH’S LANCASTER PARK

14th November 2016 - INNOVATIVE CHRISTCHURCH PLAYGROUND WINS NZRA OUTSTANDING PROJECT AWARD

15th January 2016 - NEW ZEALAND TO PRESENT NEW VENUES AND OPPORTUNITIES AT AIME 

18th December 2015 - CHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCIL TO RECEIVE $635 MILLION POST-EARTHQUAKE INSURANCE SETTLEMENT

3rd December 2015 - CALLS FOR BUILDING OF NEW CHRISTCHURCH CONVENTION CENTRE TO BE EXPEDITED

10th March 2015 - CINZ FLAGS NEW ZEALAND’S GROWING CONVENTION CENTRE INFRASTRUCTURE