Source: Radio New Zealand
Victoria University will knock down the abandoned Gordon Wilson flats later this month.
The 1950s-era apartment complex has sat unlived in on Wellington’s hills just below Victoria University since 2012 after they stopped being used for social housing because they were deemed to be too unsafe to live in.
The government carved out a section of the law in June so the earthquake-prone abandoned heritage building could be demolished by its owner, Victoria University.
When the changes were revealed senior Cabinet minister Chris Bishop posted a photo to social media which included his face photoshopped onto a man swinging on a wrecking ball with the buildings in the background.
Victoria University has decided it will start demolition of the building and the nearby McLean Flats later this month.
Vice-Chancellor Nic Smith said the university had looked at all options to restore the sites available to them, but stated they were not financially viable.
“The structures suffer from extensive rot, asbestos, seismic issues, and other critical problems that make restoration too costly.”
The 1950s-era apartment complex has sat unlived in on Wellington’s hills just below Victoria University since 2012 after they stopped being used for social housing because they were deemed to be too unsafe to live in. RNZ / Mark Papalii
Smith acknowledged the decision would disappoint some people, but noted the future of the land would provide student accommodation in the future.
“We look forward to working with our community on future plans which will provide the next generations with an outstanding student accommodation and learning experience right next to our Kelburn campus.”
The university’s chief operating officer Tina Wakefield said the work ensuring the safety of the community was the highest priority through the upcoming demolition work.
“There is significant work ahead to ensure that the demolition will be carried out with the utmost care, beginning with site preparation work in the coming weeks.”
“We recognise and understand that demolition work may be disruptive for our neighbours, and we are fully committed to keeping them informed and minimising that impact.”
In October the family of the man the Gordon Wilson flats were named after said they wanted the building to be redeveloped, rather than demolished.
Architecture Centre spokesperson Peter Parkes told RNZ the apartment complex still had value.
His group believed 80 percent of the building’s concrete structure could be retained.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
