City tower

Press, 25 February 1987, Page 18

City tower

Sir, —I am intrigued by the proposal to build a 160 m tower in Victoria Square. I am sure the developers are undertaking this project in the “national interest,” to “enhance” the environment, and to show that Christchurch is as “progressive” a city as any in the world. However, I believe their proposal is in need of substantial modification. Because so many cities around the world have towers considerably higher than the one proposed for Christchurch, it is essential that this tower has features that will attract tourists looking for something new. The height should be increased fourfold, a neon graph indicating the position of the Barclays share index attached to its side and it should be surmounted with a revolving, floodlit statue of the Mayor with his arms outstretched. From such a tower one might be able to see the depressed rural areas, local gang headquarters , and the National Marae; features of Christchurch that are surely worthy of the developers’ and tourists’ attention. — Yours, etc., EDMUND CUTLER. February 20, 1987.

Sir, —I would like to congratulate the designers and the developers of the planned tower in Victoria Square. I sincerely hope that the building goes ahead, giving Christchurch a worthwhile landmark. I also want to

congratulate you for publishing the realistic montage photograph on Saturday.—Yours, etc., R. J. VAN DEN BRINK. February 22, 1987.

Sir,—Tourist Towers, Ltd, which proposes to build a 167 m high tower, should set about purchasing a building site, as is the normal practice, instead of expecting to occupy a part of Victoria Square which is an important open space in the centre of Christchurch. It is not good enough to assert that it would occupy “only 22m.” The base of the tower would be the equal of a wide three-storey building. Could you publish an accurate plan and elevation of Victoria Square which would make clear the size and siting of the proposed tower in relation to the surroundings? When the City Council closed the road through Victoria Square it did so to enchance and increase the landscaped area. It was not intended to provide a site for ambitious developers.—Yours, etc. VALERIE HEINZ. February 22, 1987.

[Our picture on Saturday gave a fair indication of the space taken by the base of the tower. — Editor.]