Council tries again to bring derelict Victoria Park buildings back to life

The Victoria Park Lodge was built more than a century ago. It has stood empty for four years. Photo / Dean Purcell

The long-abandoned Victoria Park Lodge opposite Vodafone's glass-fronted headquarters in Fanshawe St may get a new lease of life.

Expressions of interest are being called for its refurbishment and operation, two years after the same call fell on deaf ears.

This time, Auckland City is hoping that a workable plan will emerge for the desolate, deteriorating building and that it can lease it out.

The two-level Victorian weatherboard structure, at the Fanshawe St/Halsey St intersection, has been empty since about 2006.

The lodge, also known as the caretaker's house, was built in 1906 and is in the northeastern corner of Victoria Park.

"The building currently has little relationship to other activities and areas of the park," a council report said this month.

"Given its prominent location at a busy intersection and important entry point to the park, council is seeking expressions of interest exploring potential options for converting the building to a different use that will contribute positively to the quality of Victoria Park."

The council wants any proposal to be cost-neutral and any changes to enhance the building and the park.

In 2008, the council announced it was looking for a community group or business to take on the lodge.

Options being explored then included leasing it for an artists' residence or as a gallery, artists' studios and small cafe.

But nothing came of that and the cottage has stood empty ever since, blocked off to the public by wire mesh fences.

The building does not have a heritage rating and was rented as a home until the last tenants left about four years ago.

Its condition has deteriorated and its windows have been boarded up to prevent vandalism. The council has no budget for renovation.

In a separate project for the park, the council wants changes at the Logan Campbell Free Kindergarten building on the Victoria St side.

The century-old red-brick building is empty, fenced off and boarded up. It has been vandalised, but the council report also said it wanted it redeveloped and refurbished.

Two years ago, gym operators, cafe owners and gallery curators were invited to move in.