By WAYNE THOMPSON
A wafer-like wall of brick and paint - held upright in a brace of steel girders - is all that remains of the sturdy building where Auckland's flour was milled for more than a century.
The Fort St wall of the Northern Roller Mills complex is being saved for
a new life as a facade for a nine-level carpark.
The facade, described as being of the neo-classical style, is listed as a category B historic building by the Auckland City Council but was not on the Historic Places Trust register.
The original structure was built as four-levels in 1880 and extended to seven in 1905.
Culum Manson, of Manson Developments Group, said the rest of the building was demolished because it was specially adapted to house plant and machinery and was unsuited for conversion into a carpark.
A new role in the city's life is also planned for the old mill's grain silo adjacent. It will have apartments fitted inside.
Mr Manson said the novelty of living in a silo must have appealed as all apartments in the 150-unit development sold out six months ago at prices ranging from $150,000 to $350,000.
The Shortland St side of the 5000sq m site will be taken up by a 29-level office tower block, expected to be ready in 2005.
Manson bought the site in 2000 for $9 million. Miller John Lamb had paid £1027 for it in 1875.
