Seniors Housing & Healthcare Trends

MELBOURNE: A resort-style apartment complex is now set to be built upon a regeneration site in the heart of the city.

A new 10-storey tower is about to adorn the Christchurch skyline, with a communal penthouse overlooking the city below, built by New Zealand-owned property developer Williams Corporation.

Billed as central Christchurch’s largest single-block residential project, Williams on Worcester is a $103m, six-building, 140-residence complex featuring “resort-grade” amenities across a full city block.

The residential complex will be bound by Worcester Street, Manchester Street, Gloucester Street, and Huanui Lane. It will sit opposite the many inner-city apartments and townhouses that occupy what had initially been identified as the Eastern Frame when the post-quake rebuild began.

“This is a full city block, one of the last available in central Christchurch and we’ve designed it as a single connected community rather than six standalone buildings,” said Williams Corporation director Blair Chappell.

“Every owner has access to the pool, padel court and rooftop terrace,” he added.

In a bold move, the rooftop terrace is a communal space rather than a more common penthouse. It’ll be located on the 10th floor with views of the Port Hills around to the Southern Alps.

“It made more sense to create a space that enables any resident of the complex to enjoy a space that is likely higher and larger than any penthouse in Christchurch.

“I am excited to build this with the same team that helped us successfully deliver Manchester Square next door,” said Chappell.

Williams Corporation says the project has a targeted completion date of early 2028, though it expects sales to launch soon.

The build will feature the 10-storey landmark tower, five three-storey apartment buildings, and a private resort-grade amenity stack that includes a heated indoor pool, a covered padel court, a gym and the rooftop terrace.

The site sits a few blocks north of One NZ Stadium and another major development that Williams Corporation is involved with, Richard Peebles’ Downtown.

The properties will range from studios to large two-bedroom penthouses.