Vacant central city lot transformed

A vacant site in the Central City has had a makeover.

The prominent site at 691 Colombo Street – between Hereford and Cashel Streets - has been temporarily transformed into a new public space, with artwork, planter boxes, seating and gravel surfacing.

The Christchurch City Council Enliven Places Programme has worked with the owner McDonald’s New Zealand to improve the ‘look and feel’ of the site, which has been vacant since the Canterbury earthquakes.

“We really wanted to create a space for visitors, workers and shoppers to either pass through or take a moment to relax,” says Head of City Growth and Property Bruce Rendall.

“The idea is to attract more people to the area and support nearby businesses while the owner decides on the long-term future of the site.”

Temporary improvements include raised landscaping, along with new seating made from repurposed Lyttelton wharf timber.

Different coloured gravel creates pathways through the site and defines spaces to stop and relax while visiting the Central City.

With support from Watch This Space, local artist Josh ‘Drows’ Montgomery (Ngāi Tahu/Ngāi Tūāhuriri) has developed a new mural artwork for the site, which explores his personal connection to the natural environment.  

The mural’s design tells the story of Josh’s whakapapa, depicting his awa (river) Rakahuri/Ashley River, his maunga (mountain) Maukatere/Mount Grey, te rā (the sun) and the winds that blow from the mountains across the plains and to the sea (Ki Uta Ki Tai).

Work on the site began in early June and was completed last week.

The Enliven Places Programme works with property owners to revitalise vacant sites in areas needing improved amenity, until those sites are developed. Learn about other Enliven Places projects.