This is a story from our monthly newsletter, Heritage this Month.
Rosemary Baird | Ōtautahi Christchurch
An ambitious project to repurpose a historic place in Christchurch has reached a significant milestone.
Early 2024 sees the completion of 17 apartments in part of the historic Woods Mill in Addington. For owner and project manager, Michael King, it’s a milestone in this multiphase project. Michael, a structural engineer specialising in earthquake strengthening, purchased the property in 2016, after working for various prior developers of the site as a consultant engineer.
“I just fell in love with the property,” says Michael. “I come to the project as an engineer, not a developer, so I’ve got a slightly different approach.”
The first stage of the project saw office spaces created in the main mill. Selling the stage-two apartments will then subsidise the third stage of the project which involves turning part of the mill into theatre-for-hire and restaurant hall.
“The idea is to create a hub for entertainment and hospitality that is accessible for the community,” says Michael. “Christchurch has so many bands and cultural groups, but very few affordable venues.”
Part of what makes the adaptive reuse possible is that the Category 1 Addington Mill, built in 1890, was designed to withstand the weight and vibrations of milling machinery. It came through the Canterbury earthquakes remarkably intact, due to the 1890s plate steel that reinforces the four and five thick brick walls. Michael’s design has inserted concrete diaphragm floors and internal partitions into Woods Mill, strengthening the building without intrusive steel framing.
One of the most significant benefits of adapting heritage buildings for modern use is the positive impact on the environment. Studies show that demolishing buildings is a major source of waste and carbon emissions, as it requires the transportation and disposal of materials. By contrast, adapting and reusing buildings saves energy, reduces waste, and can use fewer resources – making both environmental and economic sense.
Michael has reused many of the original materials in the adaptive reuse project, but he still has pallets of 1890s bricks he would like to see go to someone who appreciates them. If you have a project that might benefit from 1890s red bricks, contact Michael at michael.king@centraus.co.nz.
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