Avon River Precinct

A major anchor project was opened to the public on 25 November 2018, providing an important cog in Christchurch's central city recovery. The Avon River Precinct (ARP) is a new city promenade and waterfront development along the Ōtākaro /Avon River within Christchurch’s central city. It extends for two kilometres through the heart of the central city on the eastern side of the river from Christchurch Hospital in the west, to the Margaret Mahy Family Playground in the east. The city promenade was designed as an interconnected collection of usable spaces. This includes a 'shared space' for walking, cycling, driving, tram riding and relaxation, and a 'flexible space' for outdoor dining, bike/scooter parking, and socialising. In 2015, RMM was engaged in the project providing landscape architectural services as part of the 'Design Build Team' led by Downer NZ on behalf of Ōtākaro - a crown-led company that delivers Christchurch anchor projects. RMM also partnered directly with Ōtākaro on the project's Avon Loop extension. RMM is proud to have worked with Ōtākaro and the Design Build Team to deliver this important project for Ōtautahi. They are excited about how this project will act as a catalyst for future development, events, and activities, transforming the central city of Christchurch into a great place to live, work, play, and visit.  The promenade includes an extensive stormwater and landscape utility rain garden. The 'river walk space' offers better opportunities to sit, relax, and engage with the river.