Church gets a second chance

View West illustrations of proposed development corner of Esplanade & View Rds, Mt Eden.

VIEW WEST RESIDENCES AND APARTMENTS, CORNER ESPLANADE AND VIEW RDS, MT EDEN

ON OFFER: Four luxurious freehold residences within the strengthened, original 1900 neo-classical facade of St James Church. Being sold off the plans subject to the issue of resource and building consents. Separate building of 18 freehold apartments planned if it’s not feasible to retain the council red-stickered neighbouring 1887 Gothic-style former Sunday School.

A: Two residences, each with one living area, two bedrooms, two-bathrooms, approx 181sq m of dwelling plus one car park; $2,199,000

B: One residence with one living area, two bed, two bath, approx 136sq m plus two car parks; $1,599,000.

C: One residence with one living area, two bed, two bath, approx 136sq m plus two car parks; $1,599,000.

D: Stage Two apartments: 18 one-bed to three-bed apartments priced from $650,000 with car parking available in a new separate building.

ON THE WEB: viewwest.co.nz

SCHOOL ZONES: Mt Eden Normal School, ANI, double Grammar, MAGS and Auckland Girls’ Grammar.

CONTACT: Peter Tanner or Robyn Clark, Bayleys 021 379 379 (Peter) or 021 707 529 (Robyn).

Fancy living in a luxuriously appointed, centrally located residence within the revitalised facade of a striking and historic former Auckland church?

Four upmarket freehold residences are for sale off the plans in a "building within a building" solution addressing a grey cloud that's been hovering over an impressive Mt Eden Church.

Architect Peter Townsend says: "It's a very rare opportunity that people would get to live in a heritage building of this architectural quality."

Eighteen neighbouring apartments in a planned Stage Two new building are also being marketed. The View West residences and apartments are being sold subject to resource and building consents.

Edwardian neo-classical St James Church and its neighbouring 1887 red-stickered former Sunday School have Category B Council heritage listings but are not listed with Heritage New Zealand.

Peter says: "This is a heritage-led proposal. The heritage value of this church has been a major driver of what we're doing. It has significant architectural merit as it's a very well designed, detailed and preserved example of neo-classicism."

Built in 1900, St James Church was designed by architect Robert Watt. Its neo-classical architecture reflected 19th century enthusiasm for and reinterpretation of classical features seen in ancient Greek temples such as columns and pediments.

The church's owners sold it because its unreinforced plastered brickwork needed significant seismic strengthening. The accompanying Gothic style Sunday School pre-dating it had also been "red-stickered" a few years ago because of structural issues.

Image 1 of 4: The features of neo-classical facade will remain in a proposed redevelopment. Illustrations / Supplied

The developer's proposal revitalises the church's original exterior including impressive portico entrances and stained-glass windows. It retains key interior features while repurposing the church into four luxuriously fitted two-storey and three-storey residential apartments.

"To upgrade the building seismically as it was we'd have to use steel which would be very visually intrusive. Instead we plan to effectively construct another building inside it," says Peter.

"This very seismically stable new structure reaches out and touches the old building in the most sensitive and light manner while lending it support."

Occupants can admire appealing and historically significant church features such as timber panelling, columns set into walls and moldings.

Each of the four 136-215sq m residences will have a landscaped area, individual entrance, exclusive parking and double-grammar zoning. Showcase interiors will feature the latest in European appliances and contemporary fittings.

Peter says the former Sunday school's unreinforced concrete exterior and a timber supporting truss have deteriorated. The work to strengthen its exterior and interior may compromise its heritage worth.

"We don't believe we can save that building, in which case we plan a new building of 18 apartments on its footprint."

Stage one's four residences are expected to commence in the first quarter next year and are scheduled for completion scheduled later in the year. The stage two apartments are mapped out for late-2017 completion.