New car park for Performing Arts Precinct
Christchurch City Council Newsline: 19th March 2025
A vacant central city site near the new Court Theatre building will be developed into a carpark and public space.
Christchurch City Council approved the development today after considering three options for the Performing Arts Precinct site.
The options included developing a hybrid model of temporary car parking and public open space, or utilising the entire site either as an open space or public car park.
The 2081 square-metre section at 129 Gloucester Street will have carparks for mobility impaired patrons, and for staff working in the Performing Arts Precinct.
The balance of the site will also be developed for use as a flexible public space that can provide daytime activities and educational opportunities in the precinct.
Mayor Phil Mauger said it would provide much needed parking for mobility-impaired visitors to the Performing Arts Precinct.
The Mayor noted that the Council has received regular messaging from stakeholders in the Performing Arts Precinct regarding carparking for patrons.
“The Court Theatre, The Piano and Isaac Theatre Royal have told us that their staff and patrons with mobility impairments would struggle to access the theatre without designated parking nearby,” he said.
The development has been approved on a temporary basis of approximately five years while the Council decides on a long-term use of the land.
The Performing Arts Precinct covers a block of central city land bordered by Armagh St, Colombo St, Gloucester St, and New Regent St.
The land was transferred to the Council in 2019 from the Crown as a component of the Global Settlement Agreement.
A District Plan designation prohibits the Council selling the land for any use other than performing arts related purposes.
In 2022, councillors decided against selling the land for a car park and instead voted to retain the land so that the Council can explore other uses for it in the future.