Planz was engaged to provide comprehensive planning support for the adaptive reuse and redevelopment of Victoria Mansions, a prominent Category 2 heritage-listed building in central Christchurch. Severely damaged in the Canterbury earthquakes, the building has remained unused for over a decade. Our planning expertise helped unlock its potential, guiding the project through a complex regulatory framework to enable its revitalisation.

We were involved from the early stages, including pre-application engagement with Christchurch City Council and Heritage New Zealand, where heritage values were identified as a primary consideration. Our role included advising on planning strategy, managing risks associated with Plan Changes 13 and 14, preparing and lodging the resource consent application for the redevelopment, and guiding the application through the post-lodgement stage to the final decision.

The consent enables restoration and strengthening of the original building, construction of two new upper levels, and the adaptive reuse of the site for visitor accommodation, a restaurant and bar, and associated carparking. Key planning challenges included ensuring the proposal aligned with Council’s heritage objectives and policies, and navigating urban design and transport considerations.

Planz led discussions with Council heritage and urban design advisors and Heritage New Zealand staff, resulting in a robust set of agreed conditions that enable the development while preserving the building’s heritage values. The outcome is a carefully balanced redevelopment that respects the building’s heritage while contributing to the vibrancy and economic resilience of the Central City.