The person behind a failed bid for the first project in Christchurch's performing arts centre is gutted.

The Court Theatre was given the go-ahead over a $19 million Andromeda theatre and a Black Box Theatre, with council putting $30million towards the project.

Andromeda proponent Michael Bell says he was pushing for both their proposal and the Court Theatre together, knowing it's affordable to have both.

"I was surprised by the decision. I thought it was a no-brainer, the facts and figures have been in Andromeda's favour every time."

Bell says there are no sour grapes towards the Court Theatre, but he's disappointed.

He says artists in the city are feeling disillusioned and have been moving to opportunities in Auckland, Wellington and Melbourne for decades.

"Performing artists move to the North Island much, much, much faster than people come to Christchurch. Even touring groups skip Christchurch off their schedule as we just don't have a theatre to host them."

Bell says the city's 12 professional theatre companies, 50 dance schools, hundreds of musicians and a dozen community theatres - are all desperate for space.

"The groups that are just making do in makeshift venues around the suburbs that have been struggling for years to make these venues work, what can happen to our city if we can bring all these performing arts groups together into the CBD."

But he says room has only been made for one group - the traditional theatre company with money and power.

Christchurch City Council development team project manager, Kim Stott, says there were a number of contributing factors to the decision.

She says the Court Theatre is New Zealand's largest theatre company with a good track record - that'll contribute significantly to the city centre and performing arts precinct.

"It's really great news that we've got that theatre action now and we can get on and get this project across the line."

She isn't ruling out further projects later on, but says they had to prioritise work in the precinct without getting distracted by multiple projects at the same time.

"It's not the end of the line. It's envisioned that further facilities such as the Black Box could be developed at a later stage, once our resources allow this."

Stott says they're in the early days of planning.

Bell says there might be a glimmer of hope if the council look forward to what's needed.

"I really have been dreaming of a Christchurch with a more equitable arts scene,, one where we've got a lot of equal theatre companies doing amazing work and having genuine collaboration."