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The remains of Auckland's Jean Batten building resembled Ground Zero in New York this week as it lay stripped of its art deco interior, ready to make way for a new 19-storey BNZ tower on Queen Street.
Internal features such as the ceiling and stairs were lost but some exterior features will remain, such as the brass window frames.
The New Zealand Historic Places Trust said the building was architecturally significant as one of the earliest major government office buildings to be constructed in the moderne style. It was also one of government architect John Mair's last major works. The trust issued an interim notice to stop the demolition but later withdrew it after developer Multiplex included a heritage covenant on the title, meaning there had to be agreement on any further work.
The original building, built in 1937, was not officially opened until 1973 when it was named the Jean Batten State Building. The new tower will open in 2009.
