573 Colombo Street, Christchurch Central / by Nat Voisey

573 Colombo Street is in the heart of the South Town area — the hub of creativity in Christchurch.

The area has had great exposure recently as the city moves into its unique mix of authentic and finer grain buildings. With this has come a renewed vibrancy with cafes, art galleries, studio spaces and eateries all working together to provide exceptional amenity.

The building sits proud as a state of the art home to Yoobee School of Design. Accommodating some 700 design and arts students in a campus style premises with stunning courtyard and gardens, leading into a double height atrium.

Features include:

  • Purpose-built facilities including labs and interactive class spaces for programme delivery;


  • Exhibition and event space to support emerging talent;


  • External green space to merge the environment with learning and improve the public space offering to street frontage;


  • Internal Streetscape with soft seating and collaboration spaces throughout the circulation spaces on each floor; and

  • Abstract street art, custom art work.


Creative and IT Colleges Chief Executive Ana Maria Rivera, said, “We are excited to be able to announce this fantastic news to our students, staff and the wider region. Our teams are now working hard to create a truly unique campus which will inspire our students. This is a great reward for our dedicated staff in Christchurch who have helped so many creatives turn their dreams into careers in some of New Zealand’s fastest growing sectors. We are investing in a state-of-the-art facility to cater for domestic and international students, industry and the creative sector as a whole”.