Wellington's Begonia House. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
A landmark building housing Wellington's winter gardens faces demolition as the city's council looks to save money as part of its long-term plan amendment.
Begonia House, built in 1960, contains exotic plants and is used for events such as weddings.
At a meeting on Wednesday, councillors were advised that instead of upgrading the glass and brick structure, it should be demolished due to safety hazards.
Council chief operating officer James Roberts said much of Begonia House was at the end of its life, and needed replacing rather than being "patched up".
It was badly damaged in storms this winter, he added.
Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Councillor Iona Pannett asked Roberts if Wellingtonians would now have to travel overseas to see exotic plants.
"I'm not being facetious [but] if we're not going to have exotic plants in Wellington, will people have to go overseas to see them?"
Roberts said that if the building was demolished that was "correct - but it's not the end of exotic plants."
"So where would they be?" asked Pannett.
Roberts: "Um, outdoors?"
The recommendation to demolish the building is one of five options to be provided to councillors in a business case, Roberts said.
Sited next to the Lady Norwood Rose Garden in the city's botanic gardens, the building is part of a heritage area.
Councillors were told it was not a listed building but would need resource consent to remove it.
If Begonia House was demolished the adjoining Picnic Cafe and its kitchen would remain.
One couple at the botanic gardens said they came to Begonia House every day and were "appalled by the idea".
Keith said he was "absolutely incredulous" at the idea that "an iconic part of Wellington" could be demolished.
"But maybe [it's] typical of what's going on in Wellington at the moment. We just don't seem to have any plan or anything which is good for the future of Wellington."
"I can't believe it, it would be awful if it was taken down," Wendy said.
"We come here every day, we love it. I love everything about it, it would be awful.
"What would replace it, would it be laid bare?"
An advocate for Wellington's botanic garden said she was amazed the council would consider knocking down the historic greenhouse - when winter gardens like this were landmark destinations all over the world.
Wellington has had a Begonia House since 1913, Friends of the Wellington Botanic Garden president Mazz Scannell said.
The current one, built in 1960, was still in demand, with visitors from all over the world, and of all ages, Scannell said.
"It's death by a thousand cuts, is what they're suggesting. I don't know why you would do that to something that is such a popular a landmark destination, not only for Wellingtonians but overseas visitors and national visitors."
The Begonia House - a potted history
1913: The Begonia House started in a potting shed in the nursery area, up behind what is now the visitor centre.
1924: The Begonia House was extended to cater for the crowds. One newspaper photo showed hundreds of people queuing up.
1933: A local men's tennis team named itself Begonia House. It is thought they were probably a group of gardeners or nearby residents who played on the garden's tennis courts.
1939: Lady Norwood offered 200 pounds - the equivalent of $20,000 to improve Begonia House but war put that on hold.
1960: The Norwoods put a further 20,000 pounds ($1.2 million in today's money) to build a new Begonia House. The winter garden and a tea house opened on 22 December 1960 by mayor Francis Kitts and Prime Minister Keith Holyoake.
1989: The Begonia house was extended to include a lily pond.
1994: The current tearooms, now Picnic Cafe, was built.
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