Heritage buildings get help against demolition

The Wong Doo Building in Hobson St dates from around 1885 and has been under threat of demolition for years. Photo / Glenn Jeffrey

The Auckland Council is taking the rare step today of issuing heritage orders on two commercial buildings in the central city to prevent them being demolished.

The Wong Doo Building in Hobson St is believed to be under the greatest threat of demolition, but the council also has concerns for the former Gilfillan store building in Queen St.

The heritage orders, which the building owners will be officially notified of today, mean the owners cannot touch the buildings without the permission of the council. The owners can make a submission to the council and appeal the order to the Environment Court. The two-storey Wong Doo Building, on the corner of Hobson and Cook St, dates from about 1885 and is Italianate in style.

The interior downstairs remains essentially intact including match-lined walls, board and batten ceilings with cornices, and original window joinery and front door surrounds.

The building has been under threat of demolition for the past five years. It was scheduled as a category B heritage building by the former Auckland City Council, but not before the owner, Korean developer Dae Ju, obtained resource consent to demolish it.

The three-storey brick Gilfillan's building dates to 1865 and is the second oldest known commercial building in Queen St.

It is currently being considered for registration as a category one building by the Historic Places Trust.