Fletcher’s renovate city retail complex

Press, 25 January 1979, Page 13

Fletcher’s renovate city retail complex

Several months after the start of a major refurbishment programme, one of Christchurch’s older central city commercial buildings at 663-665 Colombo Street has been transformed into a bright, aesthetically pleasing retail comples. The 80-year-old building, located next to Ballantynes and opposite DIC-Beaths, was given its new lease of life when the property was bought in mid-1978 by a superannuation fund. Fletcher Real Estate, Ltd. was appointed to

supervise the re-construc-tion and also act as leas

ing and management agent. Fletcher Development anti Construction, Ltd, undertook the renovations

Work on the two-storey, double-bricked building began last July and, involved complete gutting, extensive structural work, new shopfronts, and the painting of the exterior. The colours were chosen in order to highlight some of the building’s unique exterior features.

The Colombo Street premises formerly housed a number of different

shops but. it is now occupied by three retaneis.

each experts in their own right and requiring an excellent mid-city location in the heart of Christchurch shopper traffic.

Mr Leon Langley, a well-known Christchurch restaurateur and owner of the Greenhouse Restaurant which occupies the whole of the first floor of the building, said location was Of prime importance in his considerations for expanding his lunchtime restaurant.

“A mid-city location, like this in Colombo Street, is ideal for busi-

ness. We are close to good shopping and parking facilities, and within easy walking distance for business people wanting to dine out at lunchtime,” Mr Langley said.

“And because we are in amongst some of the city’s busiest stores, we get shoppers coming in off the street too.”

Passing shopper traffic was also a deciding factor which led Mr Frank Leggett to relocate his high quality ladies boutique, Justins, to the ground floor of the building.

“We are now in one of the busiest parts of the city and wilh our excellent retail frontage and window display, expect far more people to visit our boutique than did before our shift front Cashel Street,” Mr Leggett said. Also expecting to do well from his gound floor premises in the building is Mr Denes Cserepanyi, owner of the Hot Bread

Shop, o’lie tn the country’s largest chains of speciality ho'i bread shops.

Passing shopper traffic accounts for more than 90 per cent of his trade. Both shops and the restaurant are tastefully decorated and furnished tn keeping with the character of the building, creating a plush, yet very comfortable atmosphere, says Mr P. J. Smith, of Fletcher Real Estate. “The tenants have taken good advantage of the charm of the building in fitting out their shops,” Mr Smith said.

“Bright shop interiors, and, in appropriate places, the use of brass fittings, spotlighting and turned wood fittings, all complement the style of the building. “The 'combination of a handy central city location and well appointed premises should be. very attractive to shoppers in Christchurch.”