Go-ahead for art gallery

An artist's impression of the expanded Auckland Art Gallery looking south along Kitchener St.

The Auckland Art Gallery has the go-ahead for a $90 million restoration and expansion of its 1887 French-style colonial building on the proviso it improves links for the public between a modern addition and Albert Park.

Independent commissioners have granted resource consent to demolish the 1971 Edmiston Wing and build a modern wing to the north along Kitchener St. The project involves cutting into Albert Park, removing and pruning a number of trees.

Detailed design work will now start on the project, although the approval process has put back the closing date of December 17 for the main gallery. Gallery director Chris Saines said he would not know when the gallery would close until the end of the appeals process.

The commissioners brushed aside concerns about the architectural merits of the extensions, loss of trees and encroachment into Albert Park, but did take on board concerns by the Institute of Architects' urban issue group over how the new extension to the north of the gallery limited public links between Kitchener St and Albert Park.

Mr Saines said these issues would be addressed during the detailed design work.