South of Lichfield
Heritage Precinct Development
The South of Lichfield (SOL) project involved re-working a precinct of derelict urban buildings interconnected by lanes that had been completely neglected by civic and heritage authorities and by other local property investors. I had development direction responsibility for eight individual projects in the precinct.
SOL faced substantial design, financial, tenanting, heritage, earthquake strengthening and consenting hurdles. The master plan was developed drawing on international best practice, the expertise of United States based urban planners Duany Plater Zyberk and talented local architects. The end result won numerous accolades and awards.
Responsibilities
- Procurement of local authority resource consents.
- Obtaining building consents and heritage consents.
- Marketing and PR.
- Property acquisition.
- Development of the SOL master urban plan.
- Liaison with Duany Plater Zyberk.
- Managing engagement with Christchurch City Council.
- Individual project concept development.
- Feasibility analysis.
- Technical team briefing and engagement.
- Negotiation and oversight of construction contracts.
- Progress claim management.
- Tenanting strategy development.
- Submissions to the local authority’s annual plan, long-term plan and CBD revitalisation strategy.
Developer
Property Ventures
Footnote
What was eventually achieved at SOL was a testament to the foresight and energy of South Island developer Dave Henderson — who saw potential in historic charming buildings which had long been neglected and a style of urban development and living that the city badly needed. Sadly, not long after the successful restoration or completion of the various SOL development projects, major earthquakes in 2010 and 2011 destroyed much of the precinct fabric.
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