The Terrace on the Park complex, which is about nine years old now, was designed by the Christchurch architect, Thom Craig.
The complex consists of five residential buildings of varying heights and containing just over 100 residential units. It also includes a sports complex with an indoor lap pool, exercise machines and showers as well as an outdoor tennis court. There is an underground parking facility with elevators which give direct access to the residential buildings.
Security was designed into the complex from the start and all access, though either the walk-in gates or the car access gate, is via electronic swipe cards. Entrance to the individual buildings, the sports complex, the parking garage and all elevators is also controlled by these cards. A card issued for a specific apartment will only allow access to that apartment's building and, once in the elevator, the card will only allow access to the specific apartment's floor and to the underground parking structure.
The complex is beautifully maintained and looks as good as the day it was opened. The complex manager, Keith West, has lived on-site from the beginning and handles all maintenance and upkeep issues. He is also responsible for the complex's landscaping and has won numerous awards for how beautifully the grounds are kept.
The complex is one of the most prestigious addresses in Christchurch. It is located in the CBD and is immediately across the street from Hagley Park and just a few minutes walk the Christchurch Casino and the Victoria Street shops. There won't be any more built like this in the CBD. Land now is too dear to allow for the inclusion of a tennis court or the various large open and landscaped areas within the complex.