New Zealand – from www.worldarchitecture.com – A historic listed building in Auckland is to be pulled down as severe cracks appeared in its walls. The Palace Hotel – formerly the Aurora Hotel – is located opposite Craig Craig Moller’s Sky Tower and has had multiple extensions attached to its 1886 frame over the years. It is thought the structural weaknesses lie in these extended annexes.
The building was purchased by Wellington brothel owners John and Michael Chow for $3.3m, with the intension of transforming it into an adult entertainment venue. Plans have come to a crashing halt however as Auckland Mayor Len Brown declared the building will have to come down.
from www.stuff.co.nz – A 124-year-old Auckland building was to be demolished overnight after large cracks were found in its walls, the Auckland Council said.
The historical listed building on Victoria Street started to show signs of structural movement in the afternoon, chief executive of Auckland Council Doug McKay told NZPA last night.
“It is still moving and we have got the surveyors on it. It is moving rapidly and we have made the decision to demolish it in the interest of public safety.
“After a very long deliberations taking expert opinion and expert independent engineering advice and consulting the Historical Places Trust, we have decided to take it down,” Mr McKay said.
Council engineers and a surveyor earlier inspected the Palace Hotel, formerly known as the Aurora Tavern, after a member of the public noticed the cracks about 4pm.
The building opposite the Sky Tower had been bought to be converted into a brothel.
“There was some sort of restoration under way, and that was its planned use I believe,” Auckland Council spokesman Glyn Walters said.
The original building, built in 1886, appeared to be sound but the cracks were in two annexes, added in 1889 and 1912.
Both those annexes were showing signs of serious cracking.
“While it’s a tragedy to lose parts of a listed building, health and safety of people around it come first,” Mr Walters said.
Victoria Street West, between Hobson and Albert, had been cordoned off. Nearby shops were evacuated.