Derelict Wellington building allowed to exist for 'far too long'
Photo:
RNZ / Krystal Gibbens
Heritage New Zealand is "deeply disappointed" at the seemingly imminent demolition of a block of flats in central Wellington, and is slamming the long-term wisdom of the decision.
A planned amendment to the Resource Management Act (RMA), expected to be passed by the end of July, would
remove the heritage protection for the Gordon Wilson flats
. Deemed earthquake prone and owned by Victoria University, they have been sitting empty since 2012.
RMA Reform and Housing Minister Chris Bishop said it was "insane" that specific legislation was required to get rid of them, and the university has signalled it would move quickly with the wrecking ball to make way for new student accommodation.
But a group of architects remains hopeful an 11th hour design bid could save the apartments.
The Architectural Centre president Paul Harvey said the flats on The Terrace were a rare example of modernist architecture in New Zealand, with unique design elements.
He said the centre wanted to see it kept and the goal should be to refurbish, not demolish.
"For the last six months or so we've been working on a scheme... and that will highlight how we hope the building can remain and persevere.
"We are trying to paint the best picture and we hope for its retention."
Harvey said the group expected to submit a design to the university within the next month, which would include new accommodation alongside the original, but upgraded, buildings.
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga was also pushing for refurbishment and said it was "deeply disappointed" by the impending decision to raze the Gordon Wilson and the neighbouring McLean flats.
In a statement, it said the two buildings - designed under the guidance of Gordon Wilson - were once home to generations of New Zealanders.
"Many of whom lived there due to the same social and economic forces that shaped our nation's history - economic conditions that people today may sympathise with."
It said heritage and development was a balancing act.
"In this case, the environmental impacts of demolition and rebuild, the heritage loss, and the irony of demolishing existing accommodation to construct proposed new accommodation, raise serious concerns about the long-term wisdom of this outcome."
Wellington city councillor Ben McNulty and Housing Minister Chris Bishop.
Photo:
RNZ / Mary Argue
Heritage NZ central region director Dr Jamie Jacobs said the superficial deterioration from years of disuse and lack of maintenance did not diminish the building's heritage significance and could be remedied.
"Refurbishment and strengthening are achievable and could return the buildings to their original use as residential accommodation - retaining both function and history."
However, the university's acting vice chancellor and provost Bryony James said the university had explored all its options and renovation was not possible.
She said since 2012, the buildings had cost the university about $1.5 million in security measures to keep people out - money that would be better spent on scholarships and student housing.
"There were some youngsters leaping over the fence and gapping it even today, that's not safe for them. We do everything we can to keep it safe, but it's costing us quite a lot of money.
"We're delighted that now we can invest where that money is going to do most good."
James said the university was financially ready for an overhaul of the site, and once the bill passed and the heritage status had been removed it would apply to the council for a consent to demolish it.
"I'll be down here personally with a hard-hat on, I can't wait."
Last year, Housing Minister Chris Bishop rejected Wellington City Council's recommendation to remove heritage protections from several buildings, including the Gordon Wilson Flats, saying the council
had not provided sufficient evidence
.
Victoria University acting vice chancellor and provost Bryony James, RMA Reform and Housing Minister Chris Bishop, and Wellington city councillor Ben McNulty outside Wellington's Gordon Wilson Flats on The Terrace.
Photo:
RNZ / Mary Argue
However, in his announcement of the proposed RMA amendment yesterday, he said it was "totally insane" that the buildings had sat there unoccupied for more than 10 years.
"They are riddled with graffiti, they're earthquake prone, they're asbestos ridden, they are a derelict eyesore..."
He said they had been allowed to exist for "far too long" and with some exceptions, most people wanted to see the buildings gone.
"We're faced with this ridiculous situation where the owner wants it gone, the council wants it gone, the government wants it gone, the people of Wellington want it gone, but the law doesn't let it happen.
"So, ultimately we're just going to change the law to let it happen."
Bishop said a review of the wider issue of heritage protections would come down the line in the overhaul of the RMA, and the current bill was specific to the de-listing of the Gordon Wilson flats.
The amendment also included wording to grant councils greater powers to remove heritage-listed infrastructure - something Wellington City Councillor Ben McNulty was keen to act on.
McNulty said the Gordon Wilson flats was the prime example of dysfunctional heritage laws, but there were plenty of others in the city,
He hoped to table the delisting of other heritage buildings and infrastructure - the Dixon Street flats, Karori tunnel, the oil tank in Miramar, and the seawall on the band rotunda - in a district plan review in August.
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