Restoration of band rotunda in Wellington
WELLINGTON: Work is set to begin on the band rotunda in Wellington’s Oriental Bay.
The waterfront landmark was built in 1938 but has been closed for nine years after it was found to need extensive strengthening and restoration work.
The building’s heritage features will be an important part of the final design and as a listed heritage building, the renovations will require resource consent to be granted by Wellington City Council.
Initially, the council had chosen Cheops Holdings as the preferred developer in 2019, but that was work had been slowed due to Covid19.
Sister company McKee Fehl Constructors will now undertake the development, which is due to be finished later this year.
Wellington Mayor Andy Foster said he was delighted construction would begin within a week, as the building was an iconic part of the capital’s waterfront.
‘‘For so many years it has been a place where families and friends have recorded their place in history, so I am delighted to have construction under way.
‘‘It is obviously a complex project with its feet literally in the sea, but in Maurice Clark and his companies we have a partner with an outstanding track record in strengthening and restoring challenging and significant heritage icons,’’ he said.
Cheops Holdings managing director Mr Clark hoped to attract a ‘‘premier hospitality operator’’ to the site.
Mr Clark, who was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to heritage preservation and the construction industry, specialises in restoring and rejuvenating historic, underutilised buildings across Wellington for commercial, residential and hospitality uses.
His portfolio includes the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s head office in Stout St.
Council heritage and buildings resilience portfolio lead councillor Iona Pannett said the partnership with Cheops Holdings was part of the council’s work to ensure the city was ready for earthquakes. — RNZ