Decision calls 'time' for Masonic

The street corner facades of the Masonic Tavern in Devonport will be restored to their original look. Photo / Dean Purcell

Resource consents have been granted for turning one of Auckland's oldest hotels into waterfront apartments, though some early buildings on the site will be demolished.

In a reserved decision, planning commissioners said the full heritage value of Devonport's Masonic Tavern was not known.

Only part of it was covered by heritage protection rules in the North Shore City District Plan.

That part was the street corner facades, which the developers had promised to restore to the original look.

Many of the 306 objectors wanted the whole hotel to be covered.

The commissioners said they did not have legal authority to do that under the resource consent process and had to take the district plan as they found it.

But they acknowledged the concerns of the Masonic Friendly Society and Devonport Heritage about a lack of knowledge of full heritage values.

As a condition of consent, they said a heritage architect would be "continuously" on the site during demolition.

That was intended to allow a full heritage investigation and record as well as qualified supervision of what heritage fabric would remain and how it would be restored.

The commissioners said the concept of applicant Redback Develop went further than it had to under the city's district plan, resulting in some elements such as the old boarding house being retained - albeit in a different location.

They said the design for the 10 apartments and a cafe would have a positive result because of the rundown state of the site and the tavern building.

Claudia Page, of the Masonic Friendly Society, said a public meeting might be held to consider whether to appeal against the decision.

"It has left us stunned and disappointed," she said.

"We believe our arguments hold weight because the application was non-complying with the planning rules and could have been declined."

Mrs Page said the council ignored the petition of more than 1400 people and 300 submissions to the hearing which asked for the application to be turned down.

The society was formed to save a historic pub and had more than 100 people at its annual meeting.

Tavern owner Peter Thwaites said the family business of 21 years no longer delivered an acceptable return on a $2 million investment.

He said the design recognised the cultural and social heritage of the site.

An experienced conservation team would restore the facade of the Masonic to its original look despite challenges posed by alterations last century.

Mr Thwaites said it would be "business as usual" at the tavern while preparations were being made for the project.

He said prospective purchasers had shown strong interest in the development.

PUB HISTORY

* Masonic was one of the first buildings on the North Shore.
* It is a premier live music venue.
* Landmark Auckland hotels demolished include the Mon Desir, Globe, Glue Pot, White Heron and Milford Marina.
* Part of Devonport's Esplanade Hotel was made into apartments in 1996.