Summary:
- Mainland Capital has begun demolishing Antonio Hall in Christchurch to develop a 450-bed student accommodation village on the 1.5ha site at 265 Riccarton Rd, addressing a longstanding gap between first-year university halls and private rentals near Canterbury University.
- The Christchurch City Council removed heritage protection from the century-old building after deeming it beyond repair, enabling the demolition of the earthquake-damaged and fire-affected structure that had stood vacant for 15 years.
- The new low-rise development will feature landscaped courtyards, communal facilities including study and social spaces, and sustainable amenities, with completion planned in two stages and first residents arriving for the 2028 academic year.
Original article:
https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-christchurch/abandoned-hall-makes-way-450-bed-student-village
