Batten building to escape demolition

The Jean Batten building. File picture / Greg Bowker

The Bank of New Zealand will today announce that it will save the main features of the Jean Batten Building as part of its new corporate headquarters in central Auckland.

The bank has bowed to months of pressure from heritage groups and cajoling from Auckland Mayor Dick Hubbard and abandoned plans to demolish the seven-storey building.

The Herald understands the bank intends to keep many of the heritage elements of the 1942 building, including exterior features, bronze-framed windows, entranceways and principal ground floor features that will be turned into retail space.

However, the bank will demolish much of the building 5m back from the road for a 19-storey tower that will join the Jean Batten Building. The $150 million building will have four more storeys below ground for carparking.

It is understood the plans have the approval of the Historic Places Trust, which has played a key role in saving the building from the wrecker's ball, and Auckland City Council's urban design panel.

In a rare move in January, the trust forced the bank's hand by beginning the process of issuing a heritage order on the threatened landmark.

Such an order would stop the bank touching the building without trust permission.

The trust was concerned at a High Court decision late last year upholding the bank's demolition consent.

The trust has recognised the building as one of the earliest major government office blocks in New Zealand constructed in the Moderne style.

Built between 1937 and 1942, it was designed by Government Architect John Mair and was home to the United States Pacific Command during World War II.