The multi-million dollar repurposing of one of Christchurch's last major industrial buildings has reached a major milestone.
The 140-year-old Wood's Mill on Wise St in Addington was damaged in the Canterbury earthquakes. It has been vacant for years and has been targeted by vandals.
American structural engineer and developer Michael King purchased the Grade One listed former grain mill and grain storage buildings in 2016.
He has now converted the upper part of the complex into 17 one- and two-bedroom apartments, each selling from $499,000.
King began the ambitious $9.5 million redevelopment several years ago, which the team completed in three phases.
“We're taking a building from 1884, an old industrial building, and repurposing it for the future.”
The apartments should be delivered in August this year.
The first phase of the project has been completed, creating four floors of office space in the main factory area.
Catering and retail spaces were also created in phase two of the project. The existing theater will also be revamped as a multi-purpose venue for live performances and music, which will accommodate up to 800 people standing.
“We're going to bring back the Mill Theater and we're going to do it a little bit differently. We're going to bring it back as a multi-use theater that can be used for the community.”
King is confident the ambitious multi-phase project is on schedule and will be completed later this year.
– By Geoff Sloan, created with the support of NZ On Air