Computerworld

Spark to brighten up Christchurch CBD with new office

Spark has announced plans to open new multi-storey office in the Christchurch CBD to house close to 500 staff presently spread across four different locations.

Spark has announced plans to open new multi-storey office in the Christchurch CBD to house close to 500 staff presently spread across four different locations.

Spark says it has signed a contract to be the anchor tenant in “a purpose-built, four-level facility at 2 Cathedral Square [that] will allow Spark to eventually operate a two-site strategy in Christchurch and relocate around 450 of its people into the new site in 201.”

The 5085 square metre building will be fully occupied by Spark except for a small number of retail and hospitality leases. It will be 5 star Green Star accredited by design and have a NABERS NZ 4.5 star energy efficiency rating, Spark said.

The building’s developer is Nexus Point who will lease it to Spark under a long-term agreement. Spark said Nexus Point had begun to clear the site ready for construction later this year and the building would be ready to occupy around the end of July 2019.

It will be on the site of the old BNZ building and close to Spark’s main Christchurch location pre-earthquake in Hereford Street. One of the Hereford Street buildings still houses Spark’s main Christchurch communications exchange, but Spark says it is no longer suitable for office accommodation, and a neighbouring Spark building has been demolished.

Spark CEO, Simon Moutter, said the new building would enable the growth and development of the company’s entire South Island business.