A new report opposes demolition of Auckland Council's soon-to-be vacated headquarters, saying it has exceptional heritage significance.
The Civic Administration Building is too small for the merged Auckland Council. Photo: RNZ / Todd Niall
The conservation specialists say the Civic Administration Building has ground-breaking design features, and the council has a responsibility to do all it can to find a new use for it.
Auckland Council says the building, which is almost 50 years-old, could cost $70 million to bring up-to-scratch, which is more than it is worth.
The building presently has no heritage classification but in a report to the council, specialists Archifact say it deserves the highest protection afforded in the city's Unitary Plan.
The council says it has no further use for the building, which will be empty by the end of the year, and that asbestos and strengthening work mean the rational decision would be to knock it down.
Councillors are divided on whether to retain it, and in three months will consider a report gauging market interest.