Newly released pictures of the Christchurch Convention Centre's updated design is aimed at establishing itself as the new central city icon in the midst of the ongoing rebuild.
Ōtākaro Limited, who are in charge of Crown-led anchor projects in the Garden City, say the design is aimed at attracting visitors.
"We want to create an attractive facility for Christchurch that draws people towards the centre and its associated cafes and shops," says chief executive Albert Brantley.
"It is about an identity in Canterbury, it is about an iconic structure in the city and it relates well to those things that are uniquely important to Canterbury."
The construction of the convention centre was held up for more than two years over funding. However, the centre is now set to open in 2019 and will have the ability to host more than 2000 people and is expected to earn as much as $400 million in the first eight years of its opening.
But Mr Brantley admits the 2019 deadline might be a stretch.
"It was always going to be a stretch target, we know that but we believe that we'll be pretty close to that."
Architects Woods Bagot has worked on the design and says it is a unique opportunity.
"The Convention Centre presents a significant opportunity to design a world-class facility that reflects the unique identity, culture and values of Christchurch, Ngāi Tūāhuriri/Ngāi Tahu by paying homage to our rivers, mountains and plains."
Earthworks are now underway on the site and a contractor for the project is expected to be named in July.
Newshub.
