Ōtautahi’s entrepreneurial Antony Gough

Christchurch businessman, property developer, and entrepreneur Antony Gough talks fashion, property development, and rebuilding, with Metropol editor Lynda Papesch.

Antony Gough is equally well-known for his sartorial splendour as he is for his entrepreneurial business acumen.
Considered one of Christchurch’s most influential businessmen, he’s earned his own unique place in the city’s rebuild history. He’s anything but your typical businessman, recognisable for his wonderfully colourful wardrobe, as well as his projects’ individualised building designs.

Born and bred in Christchurch, Antony was a property owner and investor prior to the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes, with a family legacy dating back generations, and an extensive property portfolio.

The hardest thing he’s had to do in business was to rebuild from a zero base after losing all 12 of his central city properties in Christchurch’s 2010 and 2011 earthquakes. This included making redundant more than 70 staff, and the loss of two hotels and two restaurants.

“I found it cost a lot more than my insurance proceeds provided, so I ended up having to sell some of my best assets to stay alive financially,” he recalls.
After the 2011 quakes, Antony was thrust into the role of property developer, electing to reinvest his insurance pay-out from his properties along the Avon River (previously known as The Strip) back into the city. While many others took their pay-outs elsewhere, Antony became a vocal and enthusiastic supporter of the central city’s rebuild, putting his money where his mouth was with substantial investments and redevelopment projects.

“I think our CBD is in very good shape, and those who held back may have missed the boat,” he says.
A devout Buddhist, Antony firmly believes in karma. His choice to “build back better” was at enormous personal expense, both financially and mentally, but was for him, the right thing to do.
As chairman of the Central City Retailers Association, he proved instrumental in the development of the Re:Start container mall in Cashel St. He was also among the first to start buying central city properties, meeting strict design rules.
Antony’s personal style came to the fore when he opted to create buildings that looked individual, embraced laneways and created spaces for people to promenade, rather than maximising space with infill developments.

Then and now, when it comes to deciding which projects to take on, he takes aim at one area at a time.
“I pick the one I think shows the greatest chance of success,” he explains.

Relaxation for Antony is in an idyllic setting at Lushingtons Bay in Akaroa Harbour, or travelling to Thailand with his Thai partner.
Thailand is also the place where Antony finds his striking apparel. He buys what catches his eye, and has most of his clothes made in Thailand as customised one-offs.

His top tips for people wanting to succeed in business:
-Stay focused on what seems most achievable with your skills.
-Don’t take on more than you can handle at any one time.
-Always surround yourself with strong support people.

In brief

Antony was born in Christchurch, and educated at Christ’s College.
He graduated from the University of Canterbury with a Bachelor of Science in 1970, with honours in nuclear science. The university awarded him an honorary doctorate in commerce in April 2014.
He joined the family business, initially as a trainee computer programmer at Gough, Gough and Hamer, then later ran a sheep farm in Chertsey for 13 years.
His interest in property investment began when he was 21, buying his first commercial property while still a student.
Development projects have included:
Turning the former Russley Hotel into a retirement village.
The 10-storey office tower known as Craigs Investment building in Armagh Street.
The Poplars Apartment Hotel in Chester Street.
“The Strip” parade of bars and restaurants along Oxford Terrace.
After the 2010 and 2011 Christchurch earthquakes, as chairman of the Central City Retailers’ Association, Antony was instrumental in establishing the Re:Start container mall in Cashel Street.
He followed that with a $140 million re-development project centred on his former Oxford Terrace precinct.