Christchurch Arts Centre’s deal with Cassels over old Dux de Lux could be worth $500k a year in rent

Thursday, 2 April 2026

Philip Aldridge says a deal with Cassels could earn the centre just under $500,000 a year in rent.

The Christchurch Arts Centre’s deal with Cassels Brewing Company – which hinges on ratepayer support to finish restoring the former Dux de Lux building – could earn it nearly $500,000 a year in rent.

“I don’t know if that’s commercially sensitive,” Arts Centre Trust director Philip Aldridge said, before disclosing the figure to councillors at a public annual plan meeting on Thursday.

The Arts Centre Trust is lobbying the council for a $10 million grant for the old Student Union building – once home to the Dux – which Aldridge says could be done without increasing rates.

The former Dux de Lux at the Christchurch Arts Centre could become a brew garden once more.

The deal with Cassels was made public about a month ago. The brewer and bar operator would run a brew bar, restaurant and beer garden, as well as host live music. But the building would have to be restored first.

Cassels co-director Zak Cassels said the annual rent estimate Aldridge gave to councillors sounded “about right”.

“It is a high number … [but] we’re paying market rates and it’s a big space,” he said.

The company’s agreement with the Arts Centre was not yet binding, he said. There were some variables and Cassels wanted guarantees the building would be restored.

Cassels is lined up to run a brew bar, restaurant and beer garden, as well as host live music, at the old Dux de Lux, but the building has to be restored first. (Pictured is Cassels co-director Zac Cassels)

But he said the company was keen to expand its success beyond Woolston, and was keen to take advantage of the centre’s one million visitors a year.

“We’re all ready to go,” he said.

Aldridge said a $10m grant would see the building restored and opened within two years.

He suggested the council tap in to the $19m set aside for restoring the Provincial Chambers – a project that he claimed would cost more than ten times that amount – so that rates did not have to go up.

A final decision is not expected until June. However, councillor Aaron Keown voiced his approval for re-purposing Provincial Chambers funds and asked staff to look in to it.

Cr Andrei Moore sounded less convinced, saying there were live music venues around Christchurch struggling to keep the lights on and $10m could support dozens of them instead.

Cr Victoria Henstock asked if the Arts Centre was open to receiving the funds as a loan, instead of a grant. Aldridge said they would be open to a partial loan but would need most to be a grant.

The Arts Centre has been breaking even since it successfully campaigned for more public funding in 2024, Aldridge told councillors.

All tenants were paying market rates and were well regarded. The Cellar Door was named Australasia’s best wine bar in 2025 and, as of last year, the entire site was listed Category 1 with Heritage New Zealand, he said.

The centre was being considered for National Historic Landmark status, a status enjoyed by only the Treaty Grounds and the National War Memorial.

However, the cost challenges of insurance and building maintenance remained, he said.