Seafarers angry at disruption from building work

Work on the Quay St building was hampering the society's activities which are mainly supporting seafarers' welfare. Photo / APN

The Mission to Seafarers Society is complaining about changes to the Auckland building it leases in the heart of a $1 billion waterfront upgrade.

Chairman Chris Barradale said work on the Quay St building was hampering the society's activities which are mainly supporting seafarers' welfare.

Barradale complained to owner Cooper and Company about work on the prominent building which will eventually be demolished to make way for a high-rise hotel.

Barradale said changes to the building had adverse effects.

"All sorts of work is being carried out at 114 Quay St without any reference to us. Nobody has had the good manners to explain what is going on or how it will affect us as tenants with an interest.

"I asked the question some weeks ago if we were to be affected by the activity and was told no," he said.

"Since then we have lost use of the garage, since compensated for, had water turned off and on, had power switched off and on, had scaffolding erected outside our windows, had our entrance blocked with wooden boards, scaffolding and saw-horses - all without the common decency to explain what is going on. We even have heard a rumour that the building is to be painted black. We are entitled as leaseholders to an explanation."

A meeting between landlord and tenant has been scheduled for tomorrow. Interior and exterior work on the building is preparing for new tenants.

A senior Cooper and Company representative said the matter would be resolved.

"We have received a note from Mr Barradale and we are looking to meet to discuss the items raised," said Jeremy Priddy, leasing and sales director at Cooper and Company.

"For now we are just tidying the building up. It needs it. I expect tenant inquiry to follow for both ground and levels two to six."

The business has big longer-term plans for the site and is now aiming to lease floors there.

"This is a very special site in a prime location on Auckland's harbour front. It has a significant connection with the waterfront, which will become even more important once the development of nearby Queens Wharf begins."

The Seafarers Building, built in the 1970s, has long been earmarked for replacement.