Environmental consultancy Boffa Miskell has been chosen to lead a consortium of companies given the task of redesigning central Christchurch.
The announcement was made on Thursday by the Christchurch Central Development Unit.
Some of Boffa Miskell's major projects include the Picton waterfront development and Millbrook Resort in Queenstown.
Christchurch-based director Don Miskell says the redesign will be an immense challenge but he is confident it will be as exciting and forward-thinking as Christchurch people expect.
The consortium includes Christchurch architectural practice Warren and Mahoney and the Australian firm Populous, which was involved in designing London Olympic stadium and Dunedin's Forsyth Barr stadium.
The design team begins work on Thursday and has until the end of next week to submit an initial draft. The deadline for the final blueprint is 27 July.
