A post-quake review found the central city was too spread out to be socially and economically successful. The Christchurch Central Recovery Plan included the South Frame to draw the southern edge of the centre back in, with a network of lanes and gathering spaces between Tuam and St Asaph Streets. 

The area needed it. Before the earthquakes there were 228 merchants in these blocks. By 2011 that had fallen to 120.

Spanning 20,000m² across seven city blocks, the project has three parts. The Greenway is a wide east-west pedestrian and cycle corridor running five blocks, connecting the One Central homes and SALT District in the east to the Health and Avon River Precincts in the west. The Lanes provide north-south connections mid-block, creating opportunities for fine-grained commercial activity. The Yards are a series of crafted plazas and gathering spaces including Mataī Common, Kahikatea Common, Evolution Square and Vanguard Square. 

Around 15,000 new plants and trees went into the central city through the South Frame, alongside artworks including a 40-metre mural by Oi YOU! and the DTR Crew and illuminated pounamu inserts in the paving.

The project was delivered over seven years and completed in late 2022. By June 2023 merchant numbers in the area had rebounded to 192. 

CID's role

Ōtākaro, CID's predecessor, oversaw development of the Greenway, the laneway network and the public gathering spaces, from land acquisition through design management to construction.

Key facts

• 20,000m² across seven city blocks
• Around 15,000 new plants and trees
• Completed late 2022