Significant features in new building

Press, 29 September 1988, Page 47

Significant features in new building

The Clarendon Tower, which is complete except for a few finishing touches, is a significant building for Christchurch. The 17-level office building has been developed by Paynter Developments, Ltd, a subsidiary of the Paynter Corporation, on the site of the old Clarendon Hotel at the corner of Worcester Street and Oxford Terrace. The design concept of Clarendon Tower is a first for Christchurch in that it incorporates the facade of the original Clarendon Hotel which was previously on the site. “The rention of the facade was incorporated into the design of the new building in order to maintain the essential architectural elements of the original hotel,” said Richmond Paynter, executive chairman of the Paynter Corporation. The building project commenced in January last year. Its completion in just 21 months sets new standards in building construction in terms of efficiency. Clarendon Towers has been designed by Christchurch architects, Warren and Mahoney. The building takes full advantage of its corner location overlooking the Avon. “Rather than put up another mirror glass

building, we have attempted to provide a more permanent feature, for the Christchurch landscape,” said Jeremy Bosma, a development executive for Paynter Developments. At 17 levels, Clarendon Towers will be one of Christchurch’s tallest office buildings. At present, it is possibly the tallest completed building. Individual floor areas have approximately 850 square metres of office space. The entire building has the largest area of office space available in Christchurch. Most offices have been let and many of the tennants have already moved in. At present, there is only one floor still vacant. The building provides 107 parking spaces for tenants. These are located on four levels. Another feature is the security system. There are no keys required. Each tenant, or person permitted to enter the building, has a security card. Each card is coded to allow entry only into selected areas or offices. The security, and other systems, offer tenants facilities that have not been previously available in Christchurch. At ground level, there will be retail shops and a sidewalk cafe. A licensed restaurant, “Maddisons” and “Clarries Bar” occupy the first level. Car parking and commercial office space utilise the rest of the building. The restaurant complex mades the best use of the area adjoining the old Clarendon facade and the new structure. Here, the old and new have been tastefully blended. Maddisons brasserie restaurant and the adjoining Clarries will open today. The Rossinis sidewalk cafe will open on Monday. The restaurants and bar will, no doubt, be welcome additions to the dining facilities along the Avon. Those of Clarendon Towers will, however, be seen as offering something new for Christchurch people as well as visitors.