AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL

MEDIA RELEASE

26 February 2006

Protecting properties with exotic pasts

Tales of incurable disease, ballroom dancing and wholemeal bread abound in the histories of the latest group of buildings suggested for protection by the Auckland City Council.

The council is seeking public submissions on a proposal to schedule the eight buildings as part of its ongoing efforts to preserve and celebrate the city’s built heritage.

The chairperson of the Environment Heritage and Urban Form Committee, Councillor Christine Caughey, says conserving the city’s built heritage is a priority.

“The Auckland City Council protects nearly 500 buildings and objects across the city and these eight buildings are a welcome addition to the list.

“The aim of protecting buildings such as these is to ensure that present and future Aucklanders have a connection to, and appreciation of, the city’s past and its forebears.“

Plan change 217 proposes to schedule the following buildings:

1. 1218–1220 Great North Road, Point Chevalier (Ambassador Theatre)

2. 123 Grafton Road, Grafton (house)

3. 210 Green Lane West, Greenlane (Building 5, Greenlane Hospital)

4. 465–475 Khyber Pass Road, Newmarket (Excelsior Building)

5. 24 Mountain Road, Epsom (Nurses’ Residential Club)

6. 537 Mt Eden Road, Mt Eden (Crystal Palace Theatre)

7. 143–149 Newton Road, Eden Terrace (Orange Ballroom)

8. 118–126 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby (commercial property)

Ms Caughey says many of the properties were built in the early part of last century and all have fascinating histories.

The former Orange Ballroom, built in 1922, was packed during its heyday in World War II with queues of people stretching down Newton Road.

Building 5 on the Greenlane Hospital site was the former male infirmary ward housing “chronic and incurable” patients. It was the second major building on the hospital site.

The commercial property on Ponsonby Road was a former bakery where Johan Klisser, the man who brought Vogels to New Zealand, worked.

The chairperson of the Planning and Regulatory Committee, Councillor Glenda Fryer, says members of the public can now have their say about the plans to protect the properties.

“The council has undertaken a rigorous process of research and assessment in determining that these buildings are worthy of protection.

“We now want to hear from members of the public so that they can contribute to the decision-making process,” Ms Fryer says.

People have until 26 March 2006 to make submissions on the proposal to schedule the eight properties as category B heritage items as part of the council’s isthmus district plan.

A panel of hearings commissioners will then consider the submissions and expert evidence before making a recommendation to the full council on whether to protect the buildings.

ENDS

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