Old New Brighton school site to become housing

The old site of Central New Brighton School will once again echo with the shouts of children with construction due to get underway on a 65 unit housing development there. Christchurch City Council has given resource consent for the affordable housing project on the more than 1.5 hectare site.

Olivia Bird, from OBD Landscape Architects says the project is an important part of the revitalisation of the beachfront suburb, offering an opportunity for affordable housing within walking distance to shops, services and the beachside. This development is community based to support the regeneration of New Brighton with a range of housing typologies catering for variety and affordability. 

Northwest view of the site. Imagery prepared by Wilson and Hills Architects.

This development is just one of many anchor projects underway for New Brighton with the recently completed refurbished He Puna Taimoana hot pools. A new playground next to the pools and private investment in a proposed events venue, hospitality outlets and an indoor market-style project similar to the Riverside Market in central Christchurch, are all adding to the attractiveness of living in or visiting New Brighton.

Bird says it’s nice to be redeveloping the old school site so that those with memories in the suburb can come back and use it. Central New Brighton School merged with North New Brighton and Freeville schools to form Rāwhiti School, moving onto a new campus in North Brighton in 2016. 

Set back a few blocks from the beach the Seaview Housing development features plenty of communal green space for tenants, anchored by established Phoenix Palms and Cabbage trees. Proposed planting will reflect the local character of New Brigton with plenty of coastal native planting along with fruit trees to encourage birds, bees and communal gardens. Within  each courtyard to the individual units there will be scope for the new owners to add their own touch also.

Southeast view of the site. Imagery prepared by Wilson and Hills Architects.

ChristchurchNZ General Manager Urban Development Cath Carter is enthusiastic about the development. 

“We know this is a key location in New Brighton,” Carter says. “We’re pleased to be able to confirm the next steps on what is set to be a great development that brings people, activity and life into the heart of the suburb.

“This effectively launches the next phase of the New Brighton Regeneration Project, which to date has focused on the development of great public facilities, including the hugely popular He Puna Taimoana and beachside playground.

"Now is the time for private investors to play their part and get involved in the revitalisation of the area.“