City tower

Press, 12 September 1987, Page 24

City tower

Sir,—There must be something in the fact that Canterbury is flat that makes Christchurch people have such a flat mentality. The very thing Christchurch needs is a “vertical element” to add an exciting variation to our city. Let the tower be built.— Yours, etc., (Mrs) L. CAMERON. September 1, 1987.

Sir,—Apart from any high technology or teleology regarding the tower’s effect on environs, an inspection of the area adjacent to the site of the Park Royal Hotel reveals that the floral clock has become almost non-existent. The other casualty likely to follow on the erection of the tower is the Town Hall fountain. These attractions were presented to the city by citizens and this tower is going to dwarf them. If this is the price of progress, it does not appeal to many progressive-minded citizens. Surely there are other more suitable sites. — Yours, etc., L. E. ROSS. September 9, 1987. Sir,—As one who grew up in Christchurch, and always loved the city for its parks and open spaces, I was saddened to learn of the recent council decision to approve a tower development scheme for Victoria Square: saddened to think that Christchurch has been conned into permanently scarring its skyline with a copycat version of a structure which/ is even now regarded as anachronistic by its original developers overseas. Saddened, too, that a city which is capable of architectural originality of the calibre of the Town Hall should

even feel the need to emulate other parts of the world. It is not for revolving restaurants that the rest of the world comes to New Zealand, whose attractions have, if anything, lain in the fact that it does not promote a big-city image. I doubt that the tower development can change that. Certainly, news of the planned construction does not lead this Christchurch resident to look forward to his return home. — Yours, etc. P. M. BROWN. Cambridge, England, September 3, 1987. Sir,—Fancy W. A. Sutton, who draws old buildings so beautifully, being keen to see a tower in Christchurch. Having lived in Paris and visited Florence, Rome, Venice, etc., I cannot agree with him. Certainly, high buildings give good views, but so do high places, such as the Summit Road. Comparison with the Eiffel Tower is rubbish. It may have caused controversy when it was built, because it was a totally new concept. The result is a graceful example of early engineering skill, set in expansive paved and landscaped gardens. The proposed Christchurch tower is a lift-shaft topped by a goldfish bowl, and is certainly not a new idea. Surely we want tourists to come here, drive the Summit Road, visit beautiful Akaroa and historic Lyttelton, and really get to feel the friendliness of our city, not spend a half-day here, shoot up the tower and then go on to Queenstown!—Yours, etc., ANN LEWIS. September 10,1987. Sir,—Congratulations to Cr Ron Wright and other council “visionaries” like him. We need progressive ventures like monorails, city towers and Port Hill gondolas if our city is to survive economically. We either become the Auckland of the South Island, or become yet another Invercargill.. a city which is depressed, has a dull “psyche,” and exceptionally high unemployment While our city debates its future — the city tower proposal of course being the catalyst — I urge the old preservationist brigade on the council to immediately cease being knockers of every new proposal put forward. Crs Alex Clark, Carole Evans, and David Close should not promote divisiveness by representing “anti-ness” as a pressure group round the council table.—Yours, etc., STEPHEN H. RICE. September 10,1987. Sir,—Until now, reactions to the building of the tower have been mainly negative. I suggest a “think-big” scheme for our city

— not just one tower in Victoria Square but, instead, eight towers placed in the shape of an octagon round the city. A gondola system connecting the towers would give our citizens and visitors opportunity to go from one tower to the other to play tenpin bowls or snooker, then to make use of a sauna, spa and health room in another tower. A restaurant could occupy a third tower. Conference rooms are another possibility and astronomy could be practised to great advantage. And, of course, Christchurch’s unemployment problem would suddenly disappear. More than that, the city of flowers would also become known as the city of towers. Waimairi, Paparua, Heathcote Councils, architects and building constructors could all join in.—Yours, etc., GELTE H. VISSER. September 9,1987.