DEVELOPMENT PIPELINE: visitor attractions
Christchurch, New Zealand Opening: TBC An area in Christchurch devastated by an earthquake in 2011 could be about to get a major new attraction inspired and backed by the UK’s Eden Project. Proposed by the Water For Life Trust, the scheme is modelled on the Eden project in England, which uses the site of a former clay pit converted into a sustainable, green, nature-focused tourist attraction and research centre.
The Eden Project houses the world’s largest biodome rainforest and also has gardens, art displays, music events, an ice rink, restaurants and cafés, attracting more than a million visitors a year. The proposed attraction, entitled From the Mountains to the Sea (Ki Uta Ki Tai), could be built in the ‘Red Zone’, a public exclusion area in Christchurch Central City implemented after the earthquake. Eden Project founder Sir Tim Smit said: “The project is not just a tourism destination but also a place that celebrates the culture of Maori and the environmental movement of New Zealand.” ■■ http://lei.sr?a=c4w2Q
St Petersburg, Florida, USA Opening: TBC
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It will be a ‘true bay-side city experience’
In a statement, Rogers Partners Architects + Urban Designers said: “We believe that great design engages all disciplines and that the spaces we make are as important as the buildings and forms. We embrace the impact of small things, understand that much of what we do you don’t see, and make big things happen by careful attention.” ■■ http://lei.sr?a=H4G3N
A new Iron Man attraction for the park
Hong Kong Disneyland Hong Kong Opening: 2016
photo: © rogers partners architects + urban designers/aSD
The Pier Park
Architect Rogers Partners’ designs for a new pier in St. Petersburg have been approved by the city council. Landscape architect Ken Smith and local firm ASD are also part of the design team. The project combines a large transparent building located at the end of the pier with a collection of smaller experiences in “zones of activities” positioned along its entire 1,380ft (421m) length. St. Petersburg City Council approved US$5.2m (€4.7m, £3.3m) for the project which will be spent on the finalised design, demolition of the current pier and approach and initial contracting services. The schematic design phase is scheduled to take five months and will include feedback from residents and refinements, before the final design is announced.
photo: © disney
From the Mountains to the Sea
Hong Kong Disneyland has announced an Iron Man-themed attraction in addition to its new hotel. The move is part of the park’s drive to attract more guests from the lucrative Asian market. The park is targeting the ASEAN countries, plus China, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea specifically, a market that has a combined population of more than two billion. Many of these nations have a booming new middle class and with increased disposable income, plus cheaper and more convenient flights, the desire to travel in the region has risen dramatically. Hong Kong Disneyland hopes to tap into this audience with the Iron Man Experience. The HK$4.3bn (US$555m, €493m, £362m,) luxury hotel will be the largest on site and has been inspired by exotic destinations. “Tourism in Asia is growing faster than in other regions in the world, so we are looking at that growth,” said MD Andrew Kam. ■■ http://lei.sr?a=v3U8i ATTRACTIONS HANDBOOK 2015-2016
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