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Ken’s Notes for This Week’s Speaker Antony Gough, Managing Director of The Terrace Christchurch Ltd, is known in Christchurch for creating “The Strip”, a parade of bars and restaurants along Oxford Terrace that became a popular social precinct and tourist destination along the Avon River until the earthquakes in 2011. Antony graduated from the University of Canterbury in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science degree, with honours, with a special interest in nuclear physics. After graduating he worked initially as a trainee computer programmer and within 5 years headed up a staff of 25 who implemented one of the first real time computer networks connecting branches from Auckland to Invercargill. He then left this and ran a sheep farm in Chertsey for 13 years while also building up a property portfolio. In 2014 Antony was awarded an honouree doctorate in Commerce by the University Of Canterbury for his work in rebuilding Christchurch after the earthquakes. His interest in property investment began when he was 21, when he bought his first commercial property while still a student. He went on to buy many commercial properties including the Russley Hotel, which is now being developed as a retirement village, the 10-storey office tower known as Craig’s Investment Partners House in Armagh Street, and the eight storey Poplars Apartment Hotel and Oasis Restaurant & Bar in Chester Street East. He is now, after the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes, a vocal and enthusiastic supporter of the city’s rebuild. Antony was an important person who helped to establish the Re:Start Container Mall in Cashel Street. In August 2013, Antony’s $140 million re-development project centred on his former Oxford Terrace precinct began. The Terrace project, a CBD’s major rebuild project, has transformed the iconic site bounded by Oxford Terrace, Cashel Mall and Hereford Street into a dynamic hub of retailers, hospitality providers, office space, and car-parking. Laneways, courtyards and roofed terraces connect the buildings and central courtyard with the different elements of the development, providing generous public spaces within the development. Stage One of The Terrace is complete and it includes three buildings facing onto Oxford Terrace and a fourth facing Hereford Street. It includes hospitality and office space. Stage Two is the substantial building on the corner of Oxford Terrace and Cashel Street known as Westpac House. Stage 3 will be a large car park building with retail on the ground floor currently under construction. The Terrace combines the best of global urban design with the unique features of Christchurch to deliver a village development that will be a landmark in the city for the next 100 years. |
