Amherst Properties, a Christchurch property developer, has a green light to develop an office and retail block just outside the central business district.
Amherst Properties, which is based in the city, mainly does mid-rise office buildings and industrial design builds.
The company says it is the first to be granted approval to build under a new fast-track system for resource consents developed by the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority and Christchurch City Council after last year's earthquakes.
The development will be a six level office building, with four levels of office space and two levels for retail and parking, targetted at the professional market like solicitors and accountants.
The building will replace an existing office property which was demolished after the earthquake.
The building will be on Gloucester Street. Amherst Properties says it acquired an additional neighbouring site to enable a bigger building platform.
Owner and managing director Lindsay O'Donnell says the move is significant for the city and he is already filling spaces.
