After four years of hard work and hiccups, Qb Studios has opened the South Island’s largest purpose-built flexible workspace in the former Hunters and Collectors store on High Street.
Qb Studios is Alex Brennan, Mike Fisher and Tom Harding. ‘Space-men’ was the headline on our 2019 story about the impressive track record they already had of repurposing the old for the new, turning outdated commercial or industrial buildings into modern, flexible office environments.
The trio saw potential in the Hunters and Collectors building, which was damaged in the earthquakes and ended up destined for demolition. In 2021 Qb bought the building with a vision of saving it from the wrecking ball and turning it into another of their successful shared workspace hubs.
The build was not without its challenges, including Covid disruptions, soaring construction costs and economic volatility. Excavation work uncovered contaminated soil, and the discovery of historic artefacts slowed progress.
The architectural journey was equally complex. The central five-storey atrium that ties the building together, both visually and socially, brought with it significant fire compliance challenges.
The lead architect on the project and Director at Architecture Studio, Richard McNeill, says this was one of the most technically challenging projects they had done in the past two decades.
“We navigated legacy building consents, preserved original 1880s architectural features and tackled complex seismic engineering, including a cantilevered façade, a seismically separated link bridge, and a full-height glazed atrium with smoke-extract skylights. Every floor presented a unique configuration.
“We've had the privilege of working with Qb on several distinctive projects but this one stands out as the most intricate by far.”
Years of design refinement paid off, resulting in a space where heritage bones meet modern brilliance. Already it is breathing life into Christchurch’s High Street. “Foot traffic’s up, interest is high, and we’re seeing other developers raise the bar around us,” Mike Fisher says.
The final design fuses rustic textures with modern elegance, celebrating the building’s historic character while delivering cutting-edge functionality. Open atriums, curated light flow and natural materials tie everything together, creating a space that feels alive, not just occupied.
Qb Studios isn’t just responding to market trends, it’s helping define them. A report by Sharedspace reveals New Zealand’s co-working sector is maturing, with demand shifting towards design-led, community-focused and flexible office spaces.
“Co-working isn’t just about desks anymore, it is about people, flexibility and creating spaces that you enjoy being in,” Mike says.
The new Qb Christchurch site has private offices for teams of two to 50, with shared meeting rooms, lounges and hospitality-calibre amenities.
“Times have changed and people expect more than just a desk,” Qb co-director Tom Harding says. “We’ve created spaces where people genuinely enjoy coming to work, places that spark creativity and connection.”