Historic Birdcage pub coming home

The Birdcage Tavern was moved nearly 50 metres to allow for Victoria Park Tunnel construction. Photo / Paul Estcourt

An historic Auckland hotel will be returned to its original site next week as the Victoria Park Tunnel project nears completion.

The Rob Roy Hotel, also known as The Birdcage Tavern, was built on the Auckland waterfront 124 years ago. Last August it was moved 44m up hill to allow the new tunnel to be built.

The pub will be returned to the exact spot it was built, now on the roof of the motorway tunnel, on April 12 and 13.

"The hotel's an old lady, and next week's move will be a careful and slow befitting her age, and will take at least two days," New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) state highways manager for Auckland and Northland, Tommy Parker, said.

The hotel, which is owned by NZTA, will be restored as the focal point of a new public square - the Rob Roy Plaza.

Mr Parker said it was not yet clear how the building would be used.

- NZPA