Victoria University ‘delighted’ with heritage de-listing
Saturday, 16 March 2024
Victoria University is looking forward to a wealth of possibilities after the derelict Gordon Wilson Flats were deemed no longer worthy of heritage protection.
The change in status came from an amendment submitted by Wellington City councillor Ben McNulty which identified 10 buildings no longer deemed fit for heritage protection, either due to their condition or location.
In a statement, vice-chancellor Nic Smith said he was “delighted” with the decision, though said any plans depended on the final decision of Minister for Housing Chris Bishop.
“If this occurs, it would open up exciting opportunities to look at a range of options to redevelop the site at 320 The Terrace for the benefit of our students, staff, and the people of Wellington as a whole.
“We support this decision and commend Wellington City Council for making it.”
The Gordon Wilson flats on The Terrace were home to 131 people until 2012, when Housing New Zealand kicked them out after an engineer's report showed large slabs of the concrete exterior could come off in a quake or even a strong wind.
Even today, there are signs and large barriers around the site warning those who enter the site that falling concrete is a hazard.
The university, which announced it bought the site on September 12, 2014, sat on it for five years and was accused of land banking.
However, at the time, the university's information access and copyright advisor, Georgia Tawharu, said: “The university is particularly concerned that releasing the information would be likely to prejudice preparatory work for evaluating options for the site.”
In 2020, the university revealed its proposed Te Huanui redevelopment, outlining plans for a “lively” outdoor entrance plaza and new teaching and research facilities.
The facility would include a pedestrian walkway and lift up to the main Kelburn campus and would be the university’s ‘front door’ to the city.
The building isn’t the only one where the owners are celebrating the new status. Wingnut Studios have finally had their rusting and leaking oil tanker de-listed.
The studios had wanted to develop the land it was on but were hampered by the heritage listing - especially given the condition of the structure.
In a submission to Wellington City Council on the proposed district plan, chief executive Clare Olssen said the site, of close to 10,000m2, was purchased “with a view to further developing the film infrastructure on the Miramar Peninsula”.
“We would very much value the opportunity to discuss the merit of any restrictions placed on this site, as they would inhibit the economic and cultural benefits this site might otherwise bring to Miramar and the wider Wellington region.”
The tank is predominantly a steel structure and has significant rust, which is particularly problematic where the roof and wall connect.
The roof has a large number of leaks and significant amounts of water come into the building whenever it rains. The tank also has a condensation problem which makes it unsuitable for the vast majority of activities.
Prior to the de-listing, Olssen wrote in her submission that “we note that the site has not been visited by those who completed the historical heritage evaluation, and we strongly suggest this occurs.”
Wingnut Studios were unable to be reached for comment on the new status of their properties.
Other properties which have been de-listed include the Olympus Apartments, Wharenui Apartments in Oriental Bay, and the Robert Stout Building at Victoria University.