ECan buys two central city quake-damaged buildings

Environment Canterbury (ECan) has brought the land next to its headquarters on Tuam St.

The land contains the damaged Odeon Theatre and the Lawrie and Wilson building. 

ECan has paid $2.95m for the previously Crown-owned property.

The buildings are part of the "Dirty 30" list of central city eyesores and sit behind barriers and shipping containers.

ECan's director of finance and corporate services, Miles McConway, said remedial work to remove the containers would begin immediately.

"We really want to tidy that area up as quickly as possible."

McConway said ECan had no major plans for the property, the developing the theatre was "suboptimal".