In the first of a series of articles on what Te Kaha will bring to the city, we look at how the gravitational force of a 30,000-seat stadium is pulling the centre back to its pre-quake home. Before it even opens.

The vision in the 2014 Christchurch Central Recovery Plan was for the CBD to become the thriving heart of an international city. Are we there yet? No, but there are a lot more signs of progress than were evident when the city marked the 10-year anniversary of the 2010-11 earthquakes.

Back then, the report card made for harsh reading. Property Council New Zealand listed eight projects that were either unfinished or not even started. The East Frame and South Frame residential zones were still incomplete five years after projected 2014 delivery dates. The new convention centre, Te Pae, had missed its 2016 target for completion and was aiming for 2021 before COVID threw a spanner in the works.

The big hitters – the stadium, metro sports facility and Cathedral Square redevelopment – were mired in controversy over who would pay how much for what and whether to repair the Cathedral or demolish what remained.

Skip forward to October 2025 and the darkest days seem behind us. Mostly – a stalled Cathedral rebuild means The Square faces at least another five years of waiting before it regains its centrepiece. But Te Pae convention centre is thriving, new central-city residential developments are finding keen buyers, metro sports facility Parakiore will open its pools any day now, and in 2026 the All Blacks will play their first rugby test in new stadium Te Kaha, aka One New Zealand Stadium, aka The Pav.

Little by little, the city is rebalancing. In the immediate post-quake days, the centre of gravity shifted west of the Avon River as shiny new office blocks sprang up while lingering cordons stalled development elsewhere. Now, the gravitational force of a 30,000-seat stadium is pulling the centre of the city back to its pre-quake home. And that’s before it even opens.

One example – Peebles Group plans to turn ⁠what used to be Bedford Row into part of its Downtown development, touted as the city’s first large-scale mixed-use destination, completion date October 2027.

Bordered by Cashel, Manchester and Lichfield streets and Huanui Lane, the 4800sqm ⁠mix of retail, hospo, office spaces and high-end residences is grouped around green spaces and pedestrian-friendly laneways. And it’s all just over the road from the stadium.

Peebles chief exec Richard Peebles is one of the rebuild’s local heroes. He teamed with Kris Inglis and Mike Percasky to create the SALT District and its Little High eatery, and also Riverside Market. His projects become a catalyst for others’ success – Riverside Market brings in legions of patrons who then go on to browse the neighbouring shops.

Another trio playing a key role in restoring the central city’s mojo are Alex Brennan, Mike Fisher and Tom Harding of Qb Studios. ‘Space-men’ was the headline on our 2019 story about the impressive track record they already had of repurposing the old for the new, turning outdated commercial or industrial buildings into modern, flexible office environments.

Now, after four years of hard work and hiccups, Qb Studios has opened the South Island’s largest purpose-built flexible workspace in the former Hunters and Collectors store on High Street.

Damaged in the earthquakes, the building ended up destined for demolition. But Brennan, Fisher and Harding could see the potential and in 2021 bought the building with a vision of saving it from the wrecking ball and turning it into another of their successful shared workspace hubs.

Reborn as Qb Studios on High Street, its design fuses rustic textures with modern elegance. Open atriums, curated light flow and natural materials tie everything together.

Already, Mike Fisher says, foot traffic in High Street is up, potential tenants are keen, and other developers are lifting their game in response.

Living, working – that leaves places to play and stay.

Unlike its opening date, the site of the new stadium was never in doubt after the 2014 launch of the Christchurch Central Recovery Plan. That was enough for some hospo entrepreneurs to move early and open their doors nearby. In the long wait for the crowds to come, made even worse by COVID constraints, some were not able to hang on.

One that has weathered the storm is Richard Sinke, founder of the legendary Dux de Lux. He swooped on the old Twisted Hop site in Poplar Lane – one block from the stadium site – and in 2015 Dux Central was born. It already heaves with lovers of craft beer, good kai and live music so Match Day is going to be massive.

The rays of hope from the rising bulk of the stadium have caught the eye of another city hospo veteran, Dave Henderson, who has announced he wants to relaunch Sol Square on its derelict Lichfield Street site. From its opening in 2005 till the earthquakes wrecked it, this was the place to be. Sol Square’s tenants – Fat Eddie’s, Yellow Cross, Fish & Chip, La Petite Croix and Toast – brought the beats, eats and bevvies to the east at a time when the original Strip was losing its lustre.

All those visitors will need somewhere to stay and nearby Rydges is just one accommodation hotspot ready to turn down its beds. One suite in particular has been earmarked by the Rydges team as the ideal venue for pre- and post- parties, whether the occasion is a gig or a game. No word on whether Bloody Mary’s will add ‘The Pav’ Pav to its dessert menu.

As we count down to the stadium’s opening, expect to see even more businesses of all stripes hanging out their shingle underneath its halo. Can’t wait!

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