The old villa at 123 Grafton Rd is likely to be moved. Photo / Richard Robinson
The fate of another character home in Auckland will be discussed at a meeting today but, unlike other recent cases, the house will escape the wrecker's ball.
The two-storey, bay window villa is one of the last grand old weatherboard villas that once lined Grafton Rd but which
have steadily disappeared in recent years as the inner-city suburb has undergone intensive redevelopment because of its proximity to the CBD and Auckland Hospital.
Housing New Zealand owns the property, which has an official valuation of $1.16 million and was built some time between the 1890s and 1910.
Spokeswoman Kathryn O'Sullivan said the house would not be demolished but was likely to be moved.
"The reason we would want to remove it is to provide more housing for people who need it. It is opposite the hospital so it's a good spot for people who need medical access."
The house is vacant but has gone through a long history of different uses including boarding house and Salvation Army offices. It was being used by Housing NZ as a community group house.
"It has been vacant for a while and we don't like to leave our properties like that," Ms O'Sullivan said.
The home is understood to have missed qualifying for Schedule B protection by the narrowest of margins after it was assessed for heritage value by Auckland City. The Herald understands it is likely to be reassessed and may pass the threshold.
Council heritage spokesman George Farrant said he understood the home would not be bulldozed.
"I'm confident this one has not reached crisis stage."
