Boxed Quarter is an innovative, eye-catching modular building developed to tenant small businesses including retail, hospitality, office and residential in the heart of the Christchurch CBD. Farrell Construction led this project and partnered with Hierarchy Group to deliver the project under a 3916 Design and Build Contract.

Hierarchy Group, as architectural lead managing and coordinating the consultants, carefully planned and designed the units within a compact modular construction system while complying with Building Code and City Rules for living spaces. The design included the use of an innovative structural design, acoustic and fire design suitable for the residential and commercial components of the build, involving interlinking walkways and bridges. Weekly design meetings resolved challenges, including juggling late change requests from tenants, and constantly measured against the construction budget.

The BIM team proved invaluable when coordinating a complex manufacturing schedule, such as when the decision was made to obtain the glazing from off-shore. The accuracy of the modelling allowed for scheduling and cutting lists to be provided for order. Farrell value engineered the design and managed the project to increase floor space whilst maintaining quality of finishes in this unique space, which in turn maximised the return on investment whilst remaining in budget.
Challenges faced during construction included works taking place within the CBD, on the corner of two main arterial roads with high traffic, pedestrian use and tight site constraints. In particular, coordinating site services and crane operations on the tight site were so complex that night time works became the only way to avoid closing down the main roads during peak times. The project was completed at the end of 2018, with several long-term leases signed prior to completion. Stage 1 is currently fully tenanted and operational. The project team achieved all of the client’s objectives and delivered to programme, specification and budget.

Planning for the BOXed Quarter project commenced in early 2016, and Practical Completion was achieved in March 2019, two months following the planned Practical Completion date of January 2019. BOXed Quarter is a highly tenanted development, and as tenants came on board, they required changes to the base build, resulting in the extended construction duration. The initial project value was $7.4 million and the final project value was $7.8 million.