The developer of a group of Princes St, Dunedin, buildings controversially targeted for demolition has come back with a new design closely replicating the existing facades.
But while the design has been described as an improvement, the Dunedin City Council's consultant architect has argued at least one of the facades should be saved from demolition, while heritage advocates argue there is no need to demolish any of the facades.
The issue will return to a resource consent hearing on August 19, with a recommendation from council planner Lianne Darby consent be granted to demolish all the buildings, except the 386 Princes St facade.
Ms Darby said that facade was the least modified, and had the greatest historical significance.
Consultant architect John Gray said in his report while the revised design "almost completely addresses the precinct values", every effort should be made to preserve and restore at least the 386 Princes St facade.
The hearings committee had already heard from its consultant engineer, Lou Robinson, retention of the facades would be "simple and straightforward".
"It is further my opinion that a retained, strengthened and restored original facade is more acceptable from a heritage building point of view than a 'replacement replica', and, I'm sure, more acceptable in the eyes of the general public," Mr Gray said.
In February, an interim decision on the future of 372-392 Princes St was announced by a hearings committee of Dunedin city councillors Colin Weatherall, Richard Walls and Fliss Butcher, which said it was "of a mind" to grant consent if Christchurch-based developer Luke Dirkzwager's company, Prista Apartments, came up with a new design more representative of the character of the precinct.
Mr Dirkzwager has been seeking approval since 2008 to demolish the buildings, and a building in Stafford St, and replace them with 15 apartments, with space for retailing on the ground floor.
The development is a non-complying activity under the council's district plan, and the area is in a protected townscape precinct.
The buildings are owned by Copthorne Holdings, the directors of which the New Zealand Companies Office lists as Mr Dirkzwager and Dunedin men Kingsley Kung and Geoffrey Yee.
The project has attracted strong opposition, and prompted two petitions, which called for an end to "demolition by neglect" of the city's heritage, and a protest meeting at the site.
Dunedin architect Gary Todd has designed the new building, his design the third so far offered by the developer.
The former two attempts by different architects took a more modernist approach.
Mr Todd said in his report to the committee his design was representative of the character of the townscape precinct, and in context with the streetscape, heritage and history of the area.
Historian Peter Entwisle, who made submissions to the hearings committee, said while the design was "a big improvement" on the former two, there was no need for the demolition in the first place.
"Dunedin is the best preserved colonial city in New Zealand," he said.
It had already lost some of its history through demolition of buildings like the nearby Stock Exchange building in the Exchange, and losing more would be a mistake.
Mr Dirkzwager could not be contacted on Saturday, but during hearings earlier this year, he argued keeping the facades was not economically viable.
What do you think of the new design?
Do you support or oppose it, or would you rather see one or all of the current facades saved?
Email your response to david.loughrey@odt.co.nz.
