An architectural masterpiece: Cook Brothers Construction completes yet another big project in the CBD

With the completion of the first new building on the south side of Cashel Mall right in the inner city, another piece of the Christchurch CBD reestablishment jigsaw has been slotted into place.

Cook Brothers Construction is proud to have been the main contractor to carry out the work on such a significant development. The project was just the type of large undertaking that this construction company thrives on with its logistical challenges and strong architectural vision.
The four-storey building comprises 2,000 square metres of commercial and retail space, topped off by a loft style apartment and balcony. A hanging garden in the front of the building is a stand out feature of the project, bringing greenery to the modern façade.
“The building certainly makes a dynamic feature on the Cashel Mall streetscape with its stunning seventeen metre glazed frontage to the mall,” Cook Brothers Construction Project Manager Tony Morley says.
“It’s something of an architectural masterpiece of mixed materials from basalt panels and frameless glass shop fronts to a large living wall of plants giving colour and vibrancy to the modern industrial design. It certainly was an interesting, enjoyable and rewarding build to work on and it was finished on time and to programme.”

The developer Denis Sunderland had a property on the site prior to the earthquakes and had a vision to rebuild there as soon as possible. However, with the requirement for master-planned proposals for the retail precinct it took four years for work to commence. “During the construction process we worked closely with Cequent Projects, the mall operators and the Christchurch City Council to minimise disruption to the surrounding businesses while still keeping on track with the agreed programme on a tight site with limited access,” Tony says.
“All credit is due to the build team on site whose extra efforts achieved this great result.”