Together the East and North frames have a gross land area of 14.6 hectares, of which just under half will be offered up for development. The new community will comprise around 750 medium density homes in a mix of four to six storey townhouses and apartments.

"The Crown will build the central park, as well as the Margaret Mahy Family Playground and streetscape, and provide serviced Super-Lots to help developers build each stage of the new community," Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says. 

Each Super-Lot will support about 50–80 new homes and will be built in stages over the next five to 10 years.  The bid process will select one or more development partners and the Crown will enter into an agreement with them to begin to build the new mews, townhouses and apartments.

"These new homes will be built around a contemporary urban parkland with spaces for community gardens, rain gardens to clean the stormwater and the exciting development that is the Margaret Mahy Family Playground.

"There is already a strong sense of community within the four avenues but we need more people to make the best use of the $2.9 billion investment the government is making, and to support the private sector as they build new offices, hospitality venues, retail and other ventures," Mr Brownlee says.

"We want a diverse community living in the city's heart — empty nesters, young families, creative professionals, key workers and everyone else who wants to contribute to a thriving central city  a true reflection of the make-up of the new Christchurch." 

Download the Request for Expressions of Interest to get involved.