New Zealand / Kaikōura Earthquake

Reprieve for mural in quake-stricken building

15:35 pm on 19 January 2017

A sculpted mural in the rubble of a torn-down Wellington office block will likely be saved.

Artist Jim Allen's mural is expected to be removed before the building at 61 Molesworth St demolition is completely taken down. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King

The building on Molesworth Street has almost been demolished, but the concrete artwork on one of its walls by Jim Allen remains intact.

The Wellington City Council said a new home for it was yet to be found, but its owner intended to move it before the demolition was completed by the end of March.

"The artwork is still on the demolition site and the discussion is now between the property owner and various people in the arts community who want it saved as to what happens to it next," said a council spokesperson, Richard MacLean.

"It can definitely be retrieved."

The artwork is 20m long, three metres high and made up of three concrete squares.

It was commissioned by Imperial Chemical Industries, which built the 10-storey building at 61 Molesworth Street in the 1960s.

Mr Allen, who is in his 90s, has said the artwork holds special significance for him as it was his first commissioned piece.

The artwork is 20m long and made up of three concrete squares. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King

The demolition of the building at 61 Molesworth St started late last year. Photo: RNZ / Aaron Smale