Christchurch Central: Rising from the rubble

Few things about Christchurch city at this time are straightforward. The population, post the February 2011 earthquake, has rearranged itself and the rearranging will continue into the foreseeable future.

The property market, while enjoying a buoyant re-birth, is so complex it creates a number of considerations for investors. Previously popular suburbs have been wiped out by the destructive path of the earthquake and a new centre is taking shape.

For many, the newly condensed Christchurch CBD is the key place to invest. Sitting pretty within the four avenues, it has been designed to focus firmly on a beautified, accessible, bio-diverse river waterfront. Because of this drawcard, property investors will continue to secure safe bets with centrally located, well-engineered properties.

Christchurch Property Investors’ Association president Stephen East believes due to the aesthetic and the location, the demand will always be greater for CBD rental properties than in other areas. “The closer in to the four avenues you get, the more demand there inevitably is,” he says.