PORSCHE’S Christchurch dealership is to rise from the devastation of the city’s 2011 earthquake with plans for a state-of-the-art ground floor showroom within a four-storey medical complex.

The new Archibalds Porsche Centre dealership, scheduled for completion in March 2018, replaces the original 1990s showroom at the corner of Tuam and Antigua Streets that had to be demolished after the 2011 earthquake.

Archibalds has operated out of temporary premises for the past six years while the original site became re-zoned as a medical precinct and is part of a government-funded, $1 billion redevelopment to create new medical facilities for the city.

Through negotiation between Archibalds Motor Group managing director John Fairhall and Christchurch Hospital associate professor Richard Robson, the Porsche showroom will return to the site.

The plans are for the showroom to occupy a 1500 square metre ground floor area of the new complex, while the three upper levels of the 6700 square metre complex will be dedicated for medical research.

In addition to opening its new building next year, Archibald Motors Group – previously Archibald Motors Limited – will celebrate its centenary in 2018.

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The new building is designed of concrete and steel to have the higher earthquake protection standards required for medical facilities.

Archibalds’ Porsche manager, Jarrod Clarke, said the investment was justified by the strong growth of the Porsche brand in the South Island.

“We will sell more than 120 new and used Porsches this year – more than double the number being sold three years ago,” he said in the Porsche in-house magazine, Christophorus.

“There is a positive mood in Christchurch and after a slow start the recovery is underway. We are really looking forward to being able to provide our customers with the levels of service and facility they deserve.”

Archibald Motor Group has franchises for Porsche, Audi, Jaguar Land Rover and Volvo.

By Neil Dowling