New building for Transport Board

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32486, 22 December 1970, Page 1

New building for Transport Board

A $1,637,864 contract has been let to the Christchurch firm of Atkinson and Forbes, Ltd, to build the 12-storey office block for the Christchurch Transport Board in Cathedral Square.

When he announced the successful tenderer yesterday, Mr J. R. Smith, the board’s chairman, said seven lenders had been received. The lowest had been accepted. The highest was $1,744,346, and this indicated that there was competitive close tendering.

The successful company has already dene work for the board. It was the main contractor at the board’s servicing depot in Ferry Road. Work will begin early in the new year and the contract time is 97 weeks. The building will be as high as the Bank, of New Zealand building, about 141 feet It has been designed so that there will be a break with a veranda-like effect, relieving any starkness. Buses will be able to enter the Square from their bam in Hereford Place, and

this is illustrated in the architect’s drawing of the building shown at right. Functional features include windows that can be cleaned from inside the building, flat entry to allow ease with invalid chairs and electricallyheated water to guard against pollution of underground supplies. Tenants have been, arranged for all but half a floor of the building, and Mr Smith said yesterday that the building would be an asset and an attractive feature of the Square. The architects are Messrs Minson, Menning-Hansen and Dines.