The Influencers: John Bridgman

In what might be the best gauge of current developer confidence in Christchurch, we have just gone to market with our largest central city land parcel.   At over 8000m2 the site bordered by Madras, Armagh and Gloucester Streets is the biggest blank canvas development opportunity you will see this close to Cathedral Square anytime […]

The Influencers: John Bridgman

Because Ōtākaro Limited was born out of the response to a natural disaster, we’ve never lived in a “business as usual” environment. This inherent agility has enabled us to continue to make good progress on Christchurch’s Anchor Projects in a year that ranks right up there with the most unusual the world has known. To […]

The Influencers: John Bridgman

From many parts of the city, and even from the Port Hills, you can now clearly make out the white steel skeleton of what will be the Metro Sports Facility. Some very big bones were added recently, in the form of the roof trusses for the 2500-seat show court. The roof is made up of […]

The Influencers: John Bridgman

We’re about to let pedestrians, cyclists and scooter riders onto the latest section of the South Frame’s greenway to be completed, between Durham and Montreal Streets. Completion of the work in this block means you will be able to get from Colombo to Montreal Streets on this new garden-lined laneway, away from the traffic on […]

John Bridgman

The Influencers: John Bridgman

It seems the recent extended stay within the confines of our own homes has led many people to consider whether the grass might be greener over by Rauora Park, where Fletcher Living is experiencing a surge in interest in its One Central homes, post-lockdown. Of the 172 homes currently on offer, ranging from one-bedroom apartments […]

A garden you can eat

The Garden City will soon become an edible garden city with construction of the Ōtākaro Orchard back underway.     The orchard will include a food forest, an edible garden, educational and event spaces, a local food information centre, an outdoor amphitheatre, dome greenhouse and a café. After construction commenced in June 2019, foundations were […]

The Influencers: John Bridgman

  Between Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre and the Metro Sports Facility alone, Ōtākaro has been pumping around $15m a month into the construction sector, on behalf of the Government. Pre-lockdown, around 600 people were active across both sites and we’re continually working to get back to that level, while maintaining safe working distances. When […]

The Influencers: John Bridgman

On a recent Saturday morning, walking to the Canterbury Earthquake Memorial service, I was struck by the importance of ‘people spaces’ to our central city. A space like Worcester Boulevard, which existed before the quakes, connects the river and city centre at one end with the Christchurch Art Gallery, Museum, Botanic Gardens and the Arts […]

John Bridgman

John Bridgman: The Influencers

Many of us have spent much of the past few weeks staring at rugby fields as the World Cup rolls on.   Put two of these fields side by side and you’ve got an area similar to that covered by the Metro Sports Facility, which we currently have under construction. We’re now into the thick […]

Riverside Farmers’ Market comes to life

“We have lived and breathed this project for three years. To see it come to fruition, looking and feeling just as we imagined it, is far more than simply satisfying. It is absolutely thrilling. Now we want the people of Christchurch to love it too.”     Richard Peebles, Mike Percasky and Kris Inglis – […]