Demolition of Berkeley cinema approved

The Berkeley has no heritage protection. Photo / Brett Phibbs

The owner of Mission Bay's art deco Berkeley cinema has received confirmation it can demolish the building.

Darryl Henry, general manager of Retail Holdings, said independent planning commissioners this month backed his company's rights to tear down properties it owns in the area without needing council approval.

The company owns the Berkeley and a string of buildings leased to restaurants and shops between Patteson Ave and Marau Cres.

Mr Henry said a "mixed-use" apartment, shopping and office complex could be built there but redevelopment was not imminent.

The economic climate meant Retail Holdings had no immediate plans to take down the theatre or surrounding properties which had long-term tenants.

"We simply wanted to confirm that resource consent was not required to demolish and we wanted to do that to make sure there's no issues," Mr Henry said yesterday.

Resident Peter Sloan said decisions had been made about the property in secrecy and he faxed a statement claiming the cinema was about to be demolished.

"This application was considered behind closed doors and without public notification," he said.

In their report, independent commissioners said they excluded the public from discussions held on March 23.

Eastern Bays Community Board member Toni Millar said the Berkeley and surrounding properties were an essential part of the character of Mission Bay even though the buildings had no heritage protection.

"I would be sad to see the Berkeley go. To me, it's an iconic site with its art deco style, lighting and frontage. It's part of what I know as Mission Bay."

Gaye Harford, president of the Mission Bay Kohimarama Residents Association, said:

"We love our theatre and it's well-used. We're pretty gutted. There's a moral issue."

People were wrong to think work was due to start, Mr Henry said. Retail Holdings simply sought confirmation of its right to demolish buildings and commissioners granted this on April 6.

"We agree that the Berkeley does have a distinctive character and design but different design attributes might be appropriate for the site.

We recognise the art deco design theme of the Berkeley is distinctive and we have by our own volition continued that theme," he said, citing a neighbouring building.