A new player to Christchurch's innovation centre will build a state of the art facility incorporating the historic McKenzie and Willis building.

Wynyard Group, who provide crime analytics software, will build its research and development building which will house 100 staff.

CEO Craig Richardson says the location brings them closer to research partners and key clients in the Justice Precinct - and puts them at the heart the emerging technology market in Christchurch.

He says as part of their commitment to the city's heritage, they'll be retaining the facade on the McKenzie and Willis building.

"It's a building that's well known, it's a family that's well known and it really adds a lot of substance and heritage to the brand we're trying to build globally.

"We've picked buildings in Washington, in Toronto, in London with that sort of heritage and this really carries on that theme."