Demolition of St Heliers art deco cottages set to begin

The Turua St buildings which are set to be demolished. Photo / Paul Estcourt.

Demolition is set to begin on three Spanish style art deco cottages in St Heliers, say campaigners rallying to keep the iconic homes.

Work to demolish the homes had stopped over summer after Auckland Mayor Len Brown intervened to try to find an alternative solution.

But Save Turua St spokeswoman Sally Hughes says residents were told that effort had failed on Friday.

Developer Anacona Group informed residents and the Art Deco Society the buildings were to be demolished early this week, she says.

Protestors are now camped outside the houses waiting for bulldozers to arrive.

Save Turua St had urged Auckland Council to invoke a heritage order on the cottages, giving more time to prove the buildings' historical value.

They claim destroying the buildings will change the character of the entire St Heliers area.

But lawyer for the land owner, Richard Brabant, said his client had building consent for a commercial redevelopment and needed to complete earthworks this summer.

He said the houses could be flanked on either side by taller office and apartment buildings if they were kept.

The 12.5m buildings would be allowed under Council zoning for the area.

A spokesman for Auckland Mayor Len Brown said he would not be commenting until the Anacona Group had stated its plans for the site.

- additional reporting Wayne Thompson