Damaged house closes Wellington walkway

The earthquake-damaged house is Wallace St, Wellington. Photo / Google

A popular Wellington walkway has been closed as a earthquake-damaged house threatens collapse.

The house is at 82 Wallace Street in Mount Cook, the walkway connecting Wallace and Wright Street is now closed.

The dilapidated house was inspected by engineers last week and may collapse in strong winds or a moderate earthquake.

Wellington City Council Building Consents Manager Chris Scott says the houses poses a real danger.

The house at 82 Wallace St made headlines in March when it sold for nearly half a million dollars, despite being condemned.

The building was put up for sale by real estate agency Ray White, with the listing title "dilapidated Californian bungalow".

Potential buyers weren't even allowed inside the three bedroom house, as the council had deemed it unsafe.

The agents argued that the house could be restored by a "brave new purchaser", or "a developer/builder to demolish and rebuild".

The previous owner lived in the house for 50 years, but the elderly woman left it late last year when the council declared it too dangerous to enter.

The house has an RV of $540,000 and sold on March 31 for $480,000.

Its high selling price is believed to be due to the property's central location. The 296sqm section is flat, and zoned for Wellington High School and Wellington College.