Victoria Tower 'unique attraction’

Press, 25 February 1987, Page 18

Victoria Tower 'unique attraction’

Mr Jamie Tulloch, spokesman for Tourist Towers, Ltd, the company that has proposed a 167-metre tower with a revolving restaurant and a viewing platform in Victoria Square, has defended some aspects of the project. Replying to an editorial in "The Press” yesterday, Mr Tulloch writes:

“Your editorial in today’s paper about the tower proposed for Victoria Square, raised a number of pertinent issues. “Firstly, perhaps, I should touch on the proposed redevelopment of Victoria Square. The Christchurch City Council had already decided, as part of that replanning, to close Victoria Street (and Oxford Terrace). “Our proposal is simply asking for the use of a small area of Victoria Street. The building has been designed to fit within the boundaries of the roadway — its base area is not much larger than the Bowker Fountain.

“Certainly, the tower will have an effect on the replanning of the area. To study this, we commissioned an environmental impact assessment. This showed that, although more replanning would be necessaiy, many of the original design aims could still be achieved even with the tower in place. “We have tried to be particularly sensitive to the Victoria Square area and planned redevelopment, especially in regard to the actual design of the building and the amenities it offers. "In terms of the feasibility of the project, obviously we believe it is both viable and economic. The investment of our time, money and commitment to date surely indicates that the proposal

would not be a failure. We are a group of South Island businessmen who are concerned with the future of the region. We believe the tower will be a significant step forward for the economy. “We have already spoken about 320 jobs and $23 million in revenue. These are new jobs and revenue which would be' a direct result of the tower — not jobs or money transferred from other enterprises in the region. “At this stage our studies — which include examination of similar projects overseas — do not show that visitors to Christchurch will stay any longer because of the tower. One of the major reasons for siting the tower in Victoria Square is to ensure it is close to accommodation, so that a visit can be fitted into even the tightest schedules. For example, after breakfast or while waiting for a coach. A visit to the viewing gallery could take as little as 20 minutes. “It should be remembered that more than half of the expected visitors — that is 243,000 people — will be New Zealanders. Tens of thousands of them would be from Christchurch. It is not just a ‘tourist’ attraction. “We are proposing a unique attraction — both from an information and entertainment point of view. We do not think of it as being in competition with other amenities in Christchurch, but as being complementary. “The proposal will not cost the ratepayers of Christchurch one cent. In fact, it will return significant income to them from the use of the land. “The tower is far more than an ornament and novelty. It is a serious statement of commitment to the future of Christchurch and the South Island.”