Crowne Plaza Hotel demolition held up reopening of Durham St Nth (from Kilmore St to Chester St West) which resumed its function for southbound, one-way traffic, albeit bordered by steel mesh fence cordons & orange, plastic bollards.
Gutted Gloucester St was reopened from Gloucester St Bridge to scaffolded Isaac Theatre Royal by The Press & Warners Hotel demolition site & new The Press. The rest of red zone Gloucester St was already reopened. Most bldgs along gutted Gloucester St were ghosts. Gloucester St became a westbound, one-way street, bordered by red zone, steel mesh fence cordons & orange, plastic bollards.
Sat 16.06.12. Rainy, cold afternoon. I parked my car at Cranmer Sq & trekked E along Kilmore St to Crowne Plaza Hotel demolition site, along Durham St Nth to Gloucester St crossing, then trekked E along gutted Gloucester St to Latimer Sq. There was lots of rubbernecking traffic & pedestrians, as it was the first time CERA had alowed full access to Gloucester St.
Cranmer Sq: Rainy. Wintry, bare London planes, gave a good view of Cranmer Court ghost, awaiting demolition, Kilmore St / Montreal St. Opp cnr: Chateau Blanc part demolition site. The rest of Chateau Blanc would be restored to 5 star Montreal Hotel. After protests, Cranmer Court would be demolished. Cranmer Terraces would be rebuilt on site, 2023.
16.06.12. Cranmer Sq view, serial, quake trashed, Cranmer Court, Kilmore St / Montreal St. Cranmer Court would be demolished after protests
Kilmore St: Demolition sites & ghosts, both sides of the street.
Kilmore St / Durham St Nth crossing: Behind a steel mesh fence cordon, Copthorne Hotel demolition site. Opp cnr: Crowne Plaza Hotel demolition site, 2 diggers on a rubble heap sifted demolition rubble for salvage metal, behind a steel mesh fence cordon. Behind loomed red zoned Town Hall ghost. Another digger in a hole drilled concrete foundations, making Durham St Nth jump whenever it drilled deep, like a quake aftershock.
16.06.12. Orange, plastic bollards. Steel mesh fence cordon. Red zone, Crowne Plaza Hotel, demolition site, Durham St Nth / Kilmore St. Red zone, abandoned, Town Hall left, quake trashed, red zone high rises middle
16.06.12. Orange, plastic bollards. Steel mesh fence cordon. Red zone, abandoned, Town Hall, seen from red zone, Crowne Plaza Hotel, demolition site, Durham St Nth / Kilmore St
16.06.12. Orange, plastic bollards. Steel mesh fence cordon. Red zone, Crowne Plaza Hotel, demolition site view, red zone, high rises: PWC left being demolished. Pacific Tower / Rendezvous Hotel middle was restored. Forsyth Barr right would be restored as Crowne Plaza Hotel. PWC demo site bould become part of the new RC Cathedral precinct opp Victoria Sq
16.06.12. Steel mesh fence cordon. Kilmore St / Durham St Nth view, red zone, Crowne Plaza Hotel, demolition site, 3 diggers. Red zone, abandoned, Town Hall behind
I didn't stay long, as steel mesh fence cordoned Spicers ghost behind me jumped too. Spicers was quake boarded, yellow stickered, with quake broken windows & USAR / TF graffiti on glass doors. Spicers would be demolished for a lawyers' office rebuild, Tavendale and Partners.
16.06.12. Red zone, quake boarded, yellow stickered, USAR / TF graffitied Spicers, Durham St Nth / Chester St West. Spicers would be demolished for a lawyers' office rebuild, Tavendale and Partners
16.06.12. Quake broken window, steel mesh fence cordoned, Radio New Zealand, Durham St Nth / Chester St West. Radio New Zealand would be demolished
Durham St Nth: I trekked past Salvation Army ghost (soon demolished) & The Tower Court House.
Durham St Nth / Chester St West: Methodist Church demolition site, where 3 people died in the 22.02.11 Killer Quake. Dried flowers hung on the steel mesh fence cordon by the Methodist Mission ghost. USAR / TF graffiti was on the glass door & quake rubbish lay inside the office. The Methodist Church would be rebuilt.
16.06.12. Steel mesh fence cordoned, Methodist Church, demolition site, Durham St Nth / Chester St West. 3 people died in the Methodist Church, 22.02.11 quake. The Methodist Church would be rebuilt
Durham St Nth / Armagh St crossing: Two demolition sites on diagonally opp cnrs, included Amuri Courts demolition site. Armagh St, by Provincial Chambers ghost, was red zoned by a steel mesh fence cordon. Contractor sign:
CONTRACTOR
ACCESS ONLY
A multi-storey, office block, Awly Building, would be built on Amuri Courts demo site.
16.06.12. CONTRACTOR ACCESS ONLY. Steel mesh fence cordon. Durham St Nth / Armagh St crossing, E view, red zone Armagh St, CBD dead, high rises. Quake Provincial Chambers right awaited restoration. PWC left awaited demolition for the new RC Cathedral precinct. Craigs House & Victoria Sq flats right awaited demolition for NZ National govt's / CERA's Blueprint Convention Centre / Te Pae
Eastwards PWC, Craigs House & Victoria Sq flats demolitions delayed reopening of Armagh St red zone. Tarped Provincial Council ghost awaited restoration.
16.06.12. Orange, plastic bollards, steel mesh fence cordon. Red zone, serial, quake trashed, tarped, Provincial Council, awaited restoration for years, Durham St Nth / Gloucester St
Durham St Nth / Gloucester St crossing: On one cnr, Landsborough House / URS House ghost. (Landsborough House would be demolished, Nov 2012). Demolition in progress on the opp Gloucester St cnr. Provincial Council ghost was on the diagonally opp cnr, tarped, awaiting restoration, many years' wait. Multi-storey, office blocks, Awly Building & Deloitte, would be rebuilt on opp Gloucester St cnrs.
16.06.12. Landsborough House / URS House next to a demolition site, Durham St Nth / Gloucester St. Landsborough House would be demolished, Nov 2012, for multi-storey, office block, Awly Building
16.06.12. Orange, plastic, road cones, steel mesh fence cordon. Demolition in progress, Gloucester St / Cambridge Tce. Deloitte, wavy, glass walled, office block would be built on site
16.06.12. Steel mesh fence cordon. Red zone, serial, quake trashed, tarped, Provincial Council, awaited restoration, Durham St Nth / Gloucester St - many years' wait
Gloucester St Bridge: Wing wall was quake cracked. Red zone, checkpoint, steel mesh fence cordon & NZDF soldiers' checkpoint hut were gone. Avon River, downstream view, red zoned Town Hall ghost beyond Victoria Sq. Upstream view, red zone, steel mesh fence cordoned, Oxford Tce to scaffolded, red zone, Our City ghost, Worcester St. Our City would be abandoned for years, awaiting restoration, 2021.
Cambridge Tce / Hereford St: Central Police ghost loomed behind, awaiting implosion, 31.05.15.
16.06.12. Steel mesh fence cordon. Quake cracked, wing wall, Gloucester St Bridge view, red zone, Central Library & CBD dead high rises. Most bldgs in the pic would be demolished
Cambridge Tce: View across Avon River to red zone, high rises, Oxford Tce: Rydges Hotel, closed, would survive the quakes & stay closed for many years. (2021, still closed). Clarendon Tower, demolition in progress. View across Avon River along gutted Gloucester St to red zone, Central Library ghost, awaiting demolition for CERA's Blueprint Convention Centre / Te Pae. Beyond, red zone, high rises: Forsyth Barr awaited restoration as Crowne Plaza Hotel. PWC, demolition in progress, for the new RC Cathedral precinct opp Victoria Sq. Farmers ghost, next to Central Library ghost awaited demolition for CERA's Blueprint Convention Centre / Te Pae. Across the road, red zone, Brannigans demolition site. Red zone, Grant Thornton ghost behind, awaited demolition, Cathedral Sq.
16.06.12. Fence cordons, both Avon River banks. Gloucester St Bridge, Avon River downstream view, red zone, Victoria Sq, quake trashed, Town Hall
16.06.12. Gloucester St Bridge, Avon River upstream view: Red zone, Our City bldg awaited restoration, 2021. Central Police high rise obscured by trees awaited implosion 31.05.15. Quake damaged, new Council bldg middle
16.06.12. Steel mesh fence cordon. Red zone, Oxford Tce view: Red zone, Our City bldg, awaited restoration, 2021, Worcester St. Quake trashed, Central Police behind, awaited implosion 31.05.15
16.06.12. Steel mesh fence cordon. Durham St Nth view: quake damaged bldg, red zone, Oxford Tce. Grant Thornton bldg, awaited demolition behind left, Cathedral Sq. Red zone, abandoned Caffe Roma & Rydges Hotel right, Oxford Tce. Caffe Roma & Rydges Hotel would survive the quakes
16.16.12. Steel mesh fence cordon. Red zone, abandoned, Caffe Roma, Oxford Tce. Caffe Roma would survive the quakes
16.06.12. Steel mesh fence cordon. Red zone, quake closed, broken windows, Italian restaurant, Oxford Tce. The restaurant would be demolished by CERA
16.06.12. Steel mesh fence cordon. Gloucester St / Oxford Tce crossing view, Brannigans demolition site. Red zone, Pacific Tower / Rendezvous Hotel, Novotel high rises left. Abandoned Government Life, Grant Thornton middle, Cathedral Sq, awaited demolitions
16.06.12. Brannigans demolition site, Gloucester St view, red zone Clarendon Tower, demolition in progress, middle behind. Back of red zone Rydges Hotel right. Rydges Hotel survived the quakes
Gutted Gloucester St / Oxford Tce: Red zone, steel mesh fence cordoned, Brannigans demolition site. Closed cafes, Caffe Roma would survive the quakes. Government Life ghost, in red zone Cathedral Sq behind, awaited demolition. Opp cnr: Steel mesh fence cordoned, Central Library ghost, USAR / TF graffiti on cnr window, entrance boarded. Farmers ghost behind. Central Library & Farmers would be demolished for NZ National govt's / CERA's Blueprint Convention Centre / Te Pae.
16.06.12. Steel mesh fence cordon. Red zone, abandoned, Central Library & Farmers behind awaited demolition, Oxford Tce / Gloucester St, for NZ National govt's / CERA's Blueprint Convention Centre / Te Pae
Ghosts: Chancery Ln & arcade shops opp Central Library: Red zone arcade bldg, steel mesh fence cordoned, quake rubbish & oak leaves heaped on the pavement. Arcade-front ghosts included: The Dolls House Night Club; Coffee Queen; Dr Cut Hair studio, green & yellow stickered; Souvlaki shop, USAR / TF graffiti on glass door; Citywide Florist, quake rubbish strewn behind window; Japanese Kitchen & Pub Tatsumi. 2015. Chancery Ln, arcade ghosts would all be demolished for NZ National govt's / CERA's Blueprint Convention Centre / Te Pae.
16.06.02. Steel mesh fence cordon. Gloucester St view, red zone, abandoned, Chancery Ln shops, demolished 2015 for NZ National govt's / CERA's Blueprint Convention Centre / Te Pae
16.06.12. Steel mesh fence cordon. Gloucester St view, red zone, abandoned, Chancery Ln shops, demolished 2015 for NZ National govt's / CERA's Blueprint Convention Centre / Te Pae
16.06.12. Steel mesh fence cordon. Red zone, abandoned, Chancery Ln shops, demolished 2015 for NZ National govt's / CERA's Blueprint Convention Centre / Te Pae
16.06.12. Steel mesh fence cordon. Gloucester St view, red zone, abandoned, Chancery Ln shops, demolished 2015 for NZ National govt's / CERA's Blueprint Convention Centre / Te Pae
16.06.12. Orange, plastic, road barrier, steel mesh fence cordon. Gloucester St view, red zone, abandoned, Chancery Ln shops, demolished 2015 for NZ National govt's / CERA's Blueprint Convention Centre / Te Pae
People stopped & stared down Chancery Ln at a heap of quake rubble in Cathderal Sq. Next door to Chancery Ln arcade ghosts was a demolition site. Behind loomed Government Life ghost, with broken windows, in red zone Cathedral Sq, awaiting demolition.
2014. CERA website, media release:
The Lieutenant General, The Right Honourable Sir Gerry Mateparae, Governor General of New Zealand declared the land described in the Schedule to this notice [Chancery Ln land] to be taken for the purpose of [the] Convention Centre Precinct, Christchurch City and vested in the Crown on 27 November 2014...
GOD SAVE THE QUEEN! [Indeed].
Land "taken" was NZ National govt / CERA speak for a NZ National govt / CERA land-grab of citizens' CBD land. That meant CERA's Blueprint Convention Centre / Te Pae would occupy & completely block Gloucester St & its vehicle & foot traffic next to Cathedral Sq. CERA minister Brownlee, CERA lackeys & Governor General Mateparae have lots for answer for. They were gambling citizens' CBD land for the promise of future conventions. (Never mind future 2020-21, Covid-19 pandemic, international travel restrictions). What we experienced in post quake Christchurch was NZ National govt / CERA bureaucrats & Governor General using the CER Act for NZ National govt land-grabs. Squabbling Opposition Labour MPs did nothing about it!
2018-20. NZ National govt's / CERA's Blueprint Convention Centre / Te Pae would be built, incl grey, concrete, tilt slab walls across Gloucester St, blocking traffic.
July 2019. When I'd trek past the fence cordon around the Convention Centre / Te Pae construction site, info boards on the fence showed the 2 floor plans of Te Pae: Ground Floor: Reception, Meeting Rooms, Exhibition Hall. First Floor: Meeting Rooms, Auditorium, Banquet Hall. Info board:
WE CAN'T WAIT TO
SEE YOU IN 2020
Te Pae is set to become a world-class
venue that will host great events and
experiences for visitors and locals alike.
With an iconic design and purpose-built
facilities, Te Pae will be a gathering place
to showcase our strengths to the world.
Together we'll build on Christchurch's
reputation as an outstanding host city by
providing warm, genuine hospitality.
Close to shops, hotels and restaurants,
it will be great for our local economy.
16.06.12. Orange, plastic fencing, steel mesh fence cordon. Gloucester St view, demolition site to abandoned, Government Life, Cathedral Sq, awaiting CERA demolition
16.06.12. Quake broken windows, Government Life, Cathedral Sq, awaiting CERA demolition
Gutted Gloucester St: Farmers ghost awaiting CERA demolition for NZ National govt's / CERA's Blueprint Convention Centre / Te Pae. USAR / TF graffiti was on a wall by the boarded, front door, razor wire loops on top. Farmers Fabulous Fashion ghost: quake rubbish on floor. Tower insurance ghost: yellow stickered, glass door ajar, USAR / TF graffiti on the door. Tower office was filled with quake junk.
16.06.12. Red zone, closed, boarded, razor wired, USAR / TF graffitied, Farmers, awaiting demolition, Gloucester St, for NZ National govt's / CERA's Blueprint Convention Centre / Te Pae
16.06.12. Quake trashed, red zone, abandoned, USAR / TF grafftied, Tower Insurance, Farmers bldg, awaiting demolition, Gloucester St, for NZ National govt's / CERA's Blueprint Convention Centre / Te Pae. Clear meant no bodies
Farmers shop window, threat sign:
FULTON HOGAN
AUTHORISED
PERSONNEL ONLY
THIS IS A DANGEROUS
WORKPLACE...
16.06.12. Red zone, Fulton Hogan sign, Farmers, awaiting demolition, Gloucester St, for NZ National govt's / CERA's Blueprint Convention Centre / Te Pae
There were a plethora of threat signs along gutted Gloucester St, signs for red zone workmen & NZDF checkpoint soldiers.
Gutted Gloucester St / Colombo St: A demolition site next to Farmers.
Gutted ghost opp Farmers: USAR / TF graffiti on glass door behind the steel mesh fence cordon, a shingle heap by the door, black holes in the walls, an apocalyptic view to red zone, Cathedral Sq. The ghost would be demolished, 2015.
16.06.12. Orange, plastic, road cones, steel mesh fence cordon. Red zone, part demolished bldg, opp Farmers, Gloucester St. The bldg would be demolished, 2015
16.06.12. Orange, plastic fencing, steel mesh fence cordons. Red zone, Gloucester St / Colombo St crossing, W view, red zone, Gloucester St. Farmers & Central Library right awaited demolition by CERA. All bldgs in the pic would be demolished for NZ National govt's / CERA's Blueprint Convention Centre / Te Pae, which would block off Gloucester St
Gutted Gloucester St / Colombo St crossing: N, huge demolition sites both cnrs, NZDF checkpoint hut on one cnr, steel mesh fence cordon across Colombo St. In the red zone, quake trashed, Forsyth Barr & PWC high rises loomed. PWC was a demolition in progress for the new RC Cathedral precinct opp Victoria Sq. That week The Press reported that the last of the concrete stairs, which had collapsed in the 22.02.11 Killer Quake, were removed by crane from Forsyth Barr, enabling restoration as Crowne Plaza Hotel. You wouldn't catch me going up that revamped hotel.
16.06.12. Red zone, demolition site, Gloucester St / Colombo St. Red zone Forsyth Barr & PWC high rises beyond. PWC was demolished for the new RC Cathedral precinct opp Victoria Sq. Forsyth Barr was restored as Crowne Plaza Hotel
16.06.12. Steel mesh fence cordon. Red zone, Gloucester St / Colombo st view, red zone, PWC, demolition in progress for the new RC Cathedral precinct opp Victoria Sq
16.06.12. Red zone, Colombo St / Gloucester St, N view, red zone Colombo St. Red zone, steel mesh fence cordoned, NZDF soldiers' checkpoint hut right. Forsyth Barr right, awaited restoration as Crowne Plaza Hotel
16.06.12. Steel mesh fence cordon. Red zone, Gloucester St / Colombo St, E view, red zone Gloucester St. Demolition site & The Gloucester arcade left, awaited CERA demolition. Demolition site, new The Press bldg & Pacific Tower / Rendezvous Hotel right
16.06.12. ROAD CLOSED. NO ENTRY. Steel mesh fence cordon. Red zone, Colombo St / Gloucester St crossing, red zone demolition site, new The Press & Pacific Tower / Rendezvous Hotel left, Gloucester St. Red zone, Novotel & Camelot Hotel, Cathedral Sq right. Camelot Hotel would be demolished for Central Library / Turanga rebuild
S, a NZDF checkpoint hut, Cathedral Sq side of Colombo St. Steel mesh fence cordon, checkpoint signs:
NO
PUBLIC
ACCESS
PAST THIS POINT
CERA PASSES ONLY
WARNING
NO PUBLIC ACCESS
BEYOND THIS POINT
CONTRACTORS ONLY
Threat signs were made by CERA & Council for contractors, many of whom weren't Cantabrians. Locals had already endured 10 000+ quakes over the last 16 months.
NZDF checkpoint view of Christ Church Cathedral ghost, W facade. Views of ghosts around Cathedral Sq, awaiting CERA demolitions: Grant Thornton; Government Life; Clarendon Tower, BNZ.
Already a year into CERA's occupation of Christchurch CBD, why was CERA taking so long with red zone demolitions, like Government Life & Farmers multi-storey carpark?
16.06.12. Red zone, Gloucester St / Colombo St, NW view, red zone Farmers, awaiting demolition for NZ National govt's / CERA's Blueprint Convention Centre / Te Pae
16.06.12. 30 km/h. Orange, plastic, road cones, steel mesh fence cordon. Red zone, Colombo St / Gloucester St crossing checkpoint, SW view, NZDF soldiers' hut, abandoned Government Life, Cathedral Sq, awaiting demolition
16.06.12. WARNING. Orange, plastic, road cones, steel mesh fence cordon. Red zone, Colombo St / Gloucester St crossing, S view, Cathedral Sq: Abandoned Camelot Hotel left, awaiting demolition for Central Library / Turanga rebuild. Ruined Christ Church Cathedral middle, N nave wall, quake trashed W facade. Christ Church Cathedral tower was demolished
16.06.12. WARNING. Orange, plastic, road cones, steel mesh fence cordon. Red zone, Colombo St / Gloucester St crossing, NZDF checkpoint hut view: Red zone, Chalice left, IBM awaiting demolition middle, Telecom right
NZDF checkpoint, steel mesh fence cordon, CERA hazard board:
Your safety is our priority. Before entering this site ensure you are familiar with these general on site hazards.
All persons entering this site must: Cordon access hours: to Days
Be wearing protective footwear In emergencies dial 111
Be wearing protective headwear
Be wearing a high visibility vest
Red zone evacuation procedure: 3 blasts on horn signals immediate evacuation
General Hazards associated with Red Zone
Potential source of harm Description Action required Comment
Gas leaks No smoking in buildings
Live cables Treat all cables as live
Asbestos Approved handlers only
Dust Dust masks recommended
Unstable buildings Hard hats must be worn
Avoid unstable buildings
Loose masonry / bricks Do not enter buildings unless cleared to do so
Aftershocks Drop, cover, hold
Magnitude 5 or above evacuate immediately
Heavy machinery Cranes / diggers / tracks Caution around machinery
Wear high visibility vest
Only approach once operator gives all clear
Traffic Traffic lights not working Normal road rules apply
Vehicles 30 km maximum speed limit
Wastes Avoid unnecessary contact with all wastes
Damaged sewer / water mains Wear protective clothing when handling wastes
Damaged roads footpaths Rubble Caution when walking especially over rubble
Uneven surfaces Rubble
Darkness Street lights out Torch / head lamp
No lights in building
Note: Refer to specific site hazard notice boards at each site
16.06.12. Orange, plastic, road cones, steel mesh fence cordon. CERA red zone, hazard board, Colombo St / Gloucester St crossing, NZDF checkpoint, red zone, Cathedral Sq
16.06.12. Orange, plastic, road cones, steel mesh fence cordon. Red zone, Colombo St / Gloucester St crossing, NZDF checkpoint to red zone, Cathedral Sq
16.06.12. NO PUBLIC ACCESS. Orange, plastic, road cones, steel mesh fence cordon. Red zone, Gloucester St / Colombo St crossing, NZDF checkpoint to Cathedral Sq. Abandoned, red zone, Government Life behind, awaited demolition by CERA
16.06.12. Red zone, Gloucester St / Colombo St crossing, NZDF checkpoint view, quake junk by red zone, Camelot Hotel. Red zone, ruined Christ Church Cathedral beyond, Cathedral Sq. Camelot Hotel would be demolished for Central Library / Turanga rebuild
Gutted Gloucester St: Steel mesh fence cordoned, The Gloucester arcade ghost, demolition sites both sides & behind The Gloucester. Boarded display window & USAR / TF graffiti on the glass door. The Gloucester arcade would be demolished, 1st week Dec 2012, for CERA's Blueprint Performing Arts Precinct, which would take more than a decade to evolve, incl relocated / rebuilt Court Theatre, opp relocated / rebuilt Central Library / Turanga.
16.06.12. Red zone, The Gloucester arcade, Gloucester St, demolished 1st week Dec 2012 for CERA's Blueprint Performing Arts Precinct
Opp, S side of gutted Gloucester St: A massive demolition site behind red zone, Camelot Hotel ghost & red zone, closed Novotel. On the demolition site an orange, cherry picker was parked behind Novotel. Quake rubbish was strewn: wood, rusty pipes, a pile of paving stones. Camelot Hotel would be demolished for Council's Central Library / Turanga rebuild.
16.06.12. Steel mesh fence cordon. Red zone, demolition junk & cherry picker on demolition site, Gloucester St. Novotel behind
Gap between red zone, Camelot Hotel ghost & red zone, closed Novotel revealed the N nave wall, transept, apse & intact roof of Christ Church Cathedral ghost. 16 months post 22.02.11 Killer Quake, it was the first time CERA let the public see the N side of Christ Church Cathedral. Externally it looked OK, except for boarded windows & a shipping container barrier. The steel mesh fence cordon prevented close scrutiny of Christ Church Cathedral walls. Quake damages inside Christ Church Cathedral were anyone's guess.
16.06.12. Red zone, Gloucester St view, serial, quake damaged, Christ Church Cathedral, N transept & N nave wall, Cathedral Sq
16.06.12. Red zone, Gloucester St view, serial, quake damaged, Christ Church Cathedral, N transept & apse, Cathedral Sq
Christ Church Cathedral ghost: So far all that was demolished was the tower, which collapsed in the 22.02.11 Killer Quake. The tower had also collapsed a couple of times in the Victorian era & was rebuilt for our generation of Heritage hailers to fuss over.
Gutted Gloucester St: Demolition site next to scaffolded, red zone, Isaac Theatre Royal ghost. Steel mesh fence cordon, contractor sign:
QUAKE
REPAIRS
KEEP OUT
Isaac Theatre Royal would be restored over many months, shipping containers supporting the front facade & gutted auditorium.
16.06.12. Steel mesh fence cordon. Red zone, demolition site by red zone, Isaac Theatre Royal, Gloucester St
Gutted Gloucester St N view: Red zone Forsyth Barr awaited restoration, PWC awaited demolition for the new RC Cathedral precinct.
S side of gutted Gloucester St: New The Press bldg by Warners Hotel & The Press demolition site. 22.02.11 Killer Quake: An employee of The Press died in the old, quake trashed bldg.
S view from gutted, Gloucester St across The Press demolition site to red zone, quake survivors: rusticated Government Departmental Buildings & Heritage Hotel, Worcester St & Millennium Hotel / Distinction Hotel, Cathedral Sq.
16.06.12. Red zone, Gloucester St, S view, The Press, Warners Hotel demolition sites, Cathedral Sq. New The Press, red zone, Cathedral Junction left, Government Departmental Buildings, Heritage Hotel middle, Millennium Hotel / Distinction Hotel, Novotel right
16.06.12. Crane. Red zone, Gloucester St, demolition site view, Forsyth Barr awaiting restoration as Crowne Plaza Hotel
16.06.12. Orange, plastic bollards, steel mesh fence cordon. Red zone, scaffolded Isaac Theatre Royal, restoration in progress, Gloucester St
16.06.12. Red zone, new The Press, Gloucester St
16.06.12. ONE WAY NORTH. Steel mesh fence cordon. Red zone, Gloucester St, NW view, Isaac Theatre Royal restoration
Gutted Gloucester St: Steel mesh fence cordoned, red zone, New Regent St, awaited restoration. Steel mesh fence cordoned, red zone, Cathedral Junction was trapped by CERA's inertia. Steel mesh fence cordoned, Pacific Tower / Rendezvous Hotel next to steel mesh fence cordoned, red zone Sampan House were also trapped.
16.06.12. NO ENTRY. Steel mesh fence cordon. Red zone, Gloucester St, N view, New Regent St, awaited restoration. BNZ bldg beyond would be demolished
16.06.12. Red zone, Gloucester St view, Cathedral Junction, Pacific Tower / Rendezvous Hotel
Cathedral Junction, locked gate, threat sign:
DANGER
KEEP OUT
16.06.12. Orange, plastic fencing, steel mesh fence cordon. Red zone, Gloucester St view, Sampan House & demolition sites to red zone, Newstalk ZB, awaiting implosion. Sampan House would survive the quakes
Gloucester St / Manchester St crossing: Demolition site on one cnr, opp closed, multi-storey, carpark, awaiting demolition for CERA's Blueprint E Frame / Rauora Park. Manchester St towards Armagh St crossing was steel mesh fence cordoned. Orion bldg within would survive the quakes. Steel mesh fence cordon sign:
SAFETY NOTICE BOARD...
16.06.12. Red zone, Gloucester St / Manchester St crossing, Safety Noticeboard, steel mesh fence cordon. Carpark awaited demolition. Orion bldg would survive the quakes
Gloucester St / Manchester St crossing view, S side to Worcester St & beyond: CERA's Blueprint E Frame / Rauora Park: Huge demolition sites. SE view: Newstalk ZB high rise ghost, awaited implosion, surrounded by demolition sites, to Latimer Sq. S view: Westende Jeweller rebuild on 04.09.10 Darfield Quake, ground zero, Manchester St / Worcester St. SW views: Demolition sites to Trinity Church / The Octagon & Design & Arts College in the red zone, Worcester St. The latter 2 bldgs were not part of CERA's Blueprint E Frame & would survive the quakes in CERA's core CBD.
16.06.12. Steel mesh fence cordon. Red zone, Gloucester St, S view, demolition sites to red zone, Trinity Church / The Octagon & Design & Arts College, Worcester St. Both bldgs would survive the quakes in CERA's core CBD
16.06.12. Red zone, serial quake trashed, Trinity Church / The Octagon, Worcester St. The Octagon would survive the quakes in CERA's core CBD
Gloucester St / Manchester St: Steel mesh fence cordon, threat sign:
DANGER
DEMOLITION
KEEP OUT!
16.06.12. DANGER DEMOLITION KEEP OUT! Steel mesh fence cordon. Red zone, demolition sign & Gloucester St, E view, Your City Gym bldg, Madras St junction. Your City Gym bldg would be demolished for CERA's Blueprint E Frame / Rauora Park
16.06.12. DANGER DEMOLITION KEEP OUT! Steel mesh fence cordon. Red zone, demolition sign & Gloucester St, W view, quake damaged, Pacific Tower / Rendezvous Hotel. Pacific Tower was restored
16.06.12. Quake junk, demolition site, Gloucester St / Latimer Sq. 2021. Small apartments would be built on site. Latimer Hotel rebuild beyond
Gutted Gloucester St to Latimer Sq: Another demolition site next to Your City Gym ghost, Gloucester St / Madras St. Nine men, wearing orange, Hi- Vis vests & hard hats, worked on Your City Gym scaffolding. Your City Gym would be demolished for CERA's Blueprint E Frame / Rauora Park. E view: Demolition sites & Latimer Sq to Latimer Hotel rebuild, between Gloucester St - Worcester St. Latimer Hotel rebuild would be renamed Rydges Hotel.
*Trekked Kilmore St, Durham St Nth, Gloucester St. 127 images.
16.06.12. Demolition site by Your City Gym bldg, awaiting demolition for CERA's Blueprint E Frame / Rauora Park, Gloucester St / Madras St
16.06.12. Workmen on scaffolding, Your City Gym bldg, awaiting demolition for CERA's Blueprint E Frame / Rauora Park, Gloucester St / Madras St
Despite CERA's hype about CBD rebuild, there were few workers in the CBD. So far, CERA had antagonised citizens, regarding red zone, CBD access; demolitions; land zonings; EQC's & insurers' slow performances & housing crisis.
So far, CERA had demolished 80% of CBD bldgs. Pre-quakes, there were many crap bldgs in the CBD. Given that councillors were CERA's puppets & that CERA gutted Gloucester St was just one of many red zone, gutted streets, how would CERA rebuild Christchurch CBD in the next 4 years of its occupation?
CERA's Blueprint rebuild over the next 4 years would be glacially slow, only the Bus Interchange, Margaret Mahy Family Playground & Justice & Emergency Services precinct would be completed during CERA's occupation of the CBD. Council would then have to muddle along with NZ National govt's / CERA's Blueprint. Never mind financially wasteful meddling by Regenerate Christchurch, CERA's successor.
Mon 18.06.12. The Press reported CERA minister Brownlee's spin on the housing crisis: "... We do not have a housing crisis, we have housing difficulties for some people." Yeah right. Meanwhile quake displaced people endured their second post quake winter in cars, converted buses, caravans & garages.
Flooded out of his Waltham Rd flat in the 22.02.11 Killer Quake, Jake & girlfriend had over-wintered in a freezing Sherborne St, quake-cracked garage. Mounds of liquefaction mud polluted the garden & driveway. They used a chemical toilet during that 2011 winter, like 1 000s of other Cantabrians seeking rentals & work. Other options were portaloos, buckets, or holes in the ground. Whenever we visited Jake the garage stank of crap. Did Brownlee & stooge Sutton ever endure "housing difficulties" in a garage with a chemical toilet?
Although post quakes people paid taxes & endured rent increases (myself included, 2 EQC inspections months before, no repairs yet); paid mortgages on condemned, unlivable houses; paid insurances for unlivable, condemned houses; lived in broken homes, garages, cars, caravans, tents & slept on sand dunes, Brownlee thought "housing difficulties for some" was not a housing crisis!
Coda:
January 2014. Little rebuild in Christchurch CBD, despite CERA's occupation of the CBD for 2.5 years.
Post quakes, 2013 to mid 2016, Luke would rent a quake cracked house, 8 Berwick St, St Albans, exorbitant rent, till his landlord wanted to build a Spa business on the property, while Luke continued paying exorbitant rent. Luke would leave for other rentals at Sullivan Ave, then Redruth Ave. But those rentals would be short-lived, as landlords pulled the "need to sell the house" stunt too.
2018-21. NZ National govt's / CERA's Blueprint Convention Centre / Te Pae would be built, with a 2 storey, grey, concrete wall across Gloucester St, blocking traffic. Convention Centre / Te Pae would open to the public, Dec 2021.
Content & pics Copyright Mark JS Esslemont.
See Govt to look at housing problem (The Press / Stuff Co).
See Rebuild slowness repels workers (The Press / Stuff Co).
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