Church and council seek solution on historic building

A Ponsonby landmark’s future hangs in the balance, as Auckland Council officials negotiate with its church owners about the ex-orphanage which it has warned is a fire risk.

The stately old grey Carlile House on Richmond Rd, not far from the Ponsonby Rd intersection, has long stood abandoned and derelict, despite promises last decade from its owners to fix it. Now, the council is trying to resolve the issue with the United Church of Tonga which in 2007 said work would soon get under way.

“The former Auckland City Council had attempted to negotiate its purchase but was unsuccessful,” a council spokesman said. “Auckland Council has been in discussion with the owners for some time to attempt to find a resolution. To assist in these discussions, conservation architects, engineers and quantity surveyors have been engaged to advise on the costs of restoration.

“A recent site visit highlighted a major concern about the amount of building materials, furniture and general waste including cardboard and paper, posing a considerable fire risk when combined with the ease with which the building can be illegally accessed. Work is being initiated to address this issue,” he said.

James Prescott, chairman of the church’s board, said initial estimates showed around $6 million could be needed for seismic strengthening, repairs and refurbishment but there were no funds for that scale of work.

“The church is based on donations and we don’t have any commercial activities. We’ve been working with the council but they have not been very forthcoming with funds. We don’t want to sell it but they won’t put in money unless they own it,” he said.

That deadlock might be resolved by the church selling the building to the council for a nominal amount, ratepayer funded Built in 1866. On Heritage New Zealand and Auckland Council heritage registers. Auckland’s first purpose-built orphanage. Later a live-in training institute. repairs and upgrading being carried out, then the church buying it back, Mr Prescott suggested. But nothing had been agreed.

“We’re barred from using it for anything at the moment. It’s empty,” he said.

The Waitemata Local Board said Carlile House was a potential asset to the ward and it supported the council’s efforts to negotiate an arrangement beneficial to everyone.

“Negotiations are ongoing,” said the board’s Christopher Dempsey.