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Wellington's Embassy Theatre deemed earthquake-prone after latest assessment
The Embassy Theatre in 1925.
Photo:
Supplied by Mt Vic Historical Society
Wellington's Embassy Theatre has been deemed earthquake-prone following its latest seismic assessment.
The pre-World War II era cinema has been strengthened twice before, with the latest work done in 2009.
In October, Wellington City Council commissioned a new test of the building's seismic rating.
Those results have now been released, finding parts of the building fell below 34 percent of the new building standard (NBS).
Under the NBS the building's rating is based on its weakest part. In the theatre's case that was 30 percent, making it officially earthquake-prone.
The assessment found strengthening work above the site's main auditorium and on the Marjoribanks Street façade would bring the building up to standard.
The notice gave the council - as the building's owner - 16 years to plan and carry out remedial works on the building.
Until then the building would operate as usual, and a notice of its latest rating would be put on its entrance.
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