KEY POINTS:
They're big, tired and in Auckland - decrepit buildings which are more eyesore than tourist attraction.
About 70,000 people are expected to converge on Auckland for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, pumping $250 million into the local economy.
But several blights on the local landscape - rundown buildings that are in need of a serious do-up - are dragging down the city aesthetic and could potentially cause headaches for the Auckland City Council, which is keen to present the city "in the best possible light".
The Herald yesterday visited several buildings in the CBD requiring a makeover, including the iconic Angus Steak House on Albert St and the St James Theatre on Queen St.
The council's group manager city events, Rachael Dacy, said beautifying the arterial routes from Auckland International Airport to Eden Park and the city centre was an obvious focus but a sharp-looking CBD area was essential. "Naturally Queen St and the Aotea Centre will be a key precinct on to the waterfront."
"And that for us is what we really consider to be our shopfront to the world and that is absolutely vital for the World Cup."
Ms Dacy, who helped organise the Commonwealth Games held in Melbourne last year, said the council would be taking a "proactive approach" with tardy property owners in the CBD and on the routes hordes of rugby travellers were likely to use.
"It really is a responsibility of those owners of properties and buildings to actually clean up their frontages and buildings but council will certainly be working with them to encourage them to do so."
"But I would hope that Aucklanders have a sense of pride in their city, that they take Rugby World Cup as an opportunity to showcase their city to the world."
Ms Dacy said the council would have a clearer idea of how its beautification plan would eventuate once the Cup's team allocation process was finalised mid next year.
She said it was too early to say if any buildings in the CBD were facing demolition under the council's plan.
"At this stage all we know is that the final will be held at Eden Park. We still don't know which teams will stay here or what grounds will be used."
* CITY OF EYESORES
Deka Building, Lower Queen St
At present undergoing an upmarket transformation, the old Deka store at the bottom of Queen St will see the budget labels replaced with swanky lines from Louis Vuitton, which is moving its store in from across the road, and Chanel.
Tiffany, Prada and Hugo Boss are other names being bandied about.
Excelsior House and Stanbeth House, Customs St East / Commerce St
Excelsior House has in recent times been a popular playground for taggers and vandals, with many of its windows either broken or covered in graffiti.
Its neighbouring building, Stanbeth House, has grass growing on its rooftop, tiles missing and although occupied, needs a makeover.
Bluewater sales and leasing director Jeremy Priddy has plans to link the two buildings and the construction has begun on 12 character New York-style loft apartments.
There will be three office levels of space and the ground floor will provide for several retail stores.
Mr Priddy said the project, which would complete the Britomart precinct, would be finished by the end of next year.
Angus Steak House, Albert St / Swanson St
The building, which houses the iconic Angus Steak House, has recently been sold by Auckland property developer David Henderson of the Kitchener Group for an undisclosed sum to an unknown buyer.
The property, which was frequented regularly by comedian Billy T James and the All Blacks for the biggest steaks in town, is now tired, tattered and in need of a paint job, with its faded flags hanging limply out the front.
Mr Henderson said the building was likely to be redeveloped by its new owners.
"In its current configuration it's getting a bit jaded but our view on it was to build more with an apartment or office tower there."
BNZ Tower, 80 Queen St
The 20-level tower being built for the BNZ is New Zealand's first high-rise to be given a five-star green rating.
Called a "joke" by sculptor John Radford, the building preserves the exterior of the 1942 Jean Batten building, including its doors and brass-framed windows and the front lobbies on the ground floor.
Tenants will be able to move in at the end of 2009.
Derelict Buildings, 13-15 Albert St
The two buildings, owned by Harbour City Limited and opposite the Stamford Plaza, are closed to the public. Once occupied by a Chinese noodle bar and a Turkish restaurant, the property is now splattered with posters advertising upcoming music concerts. A cardboard box is wedged in the front glass door of number 15.
St James Theatre, Queen St
The theatre was closed by the Auckland City Council in May because of safety and compliancy issues following a fire in the neighbouring West End. Its Queen St facade looks battered and worn, its historic plaque in the pavement out front has also seen better days and in its present state the three stars on a poster it displays seems a generous appraisal.
Property developer and owner of the St James Theatre, Paul Doole, told the Herald no date had been set for its reopening. "But we are doing a total building analysis in conjunction with the Auckland City Council as we speak," he said.
Mr Doole plans to build a high-rise apartment block on the site but the theatre will not be affected because a category one historic building cannot be bulldozed. The development will involve some restoration of the theatre, including uncovering the original tower which has been hidden since the 1950s.
