News | 3 May 2018

Council grants building a safer future for the capital

The Council’s Grants Subcommittee approved over $500,000 of funding towards seismic strengthening work and conservation of 16 historic buildings around the capital through the Built Heritage Incentive Fund (BHIF) today.

Image of 258 Riddiford Street
Ashleigh Court in Newtown

The BHIF supports owners with the conservation and seismic strengthening of heritage buildings – which ticks the boxes as far as Our 10-Year-Plan is concerned according to Mayor Justin Lester.

This project combines with a number of others to support our resilience and environmental objectives, which we are currently encouraging public feedback on. Based on submissions to date, resilience and environment is already a priority Wellingtonians want tackled first.

The 16 buildings have been allocated funding as they fit the criteria in improving our core infrastructure and future proofing our city, says Infrastructure and Sustainability portfolio leader Councillor Iona Pannett.

The Built Heritage Incentive Fund is integral to making our heritage buildings stronger and safer, and so further protecting the public. It’s important to preserve these buildings as they are part of our history, our identity, and our culture – and when they go, we can’t get them back.

They’re also a draw card for tourism, support the construction and renovation industries, and they appeal to businesses that appreciate the architectural merit, gravitas, and charm an historic building can provide their organisation,” she adds.

As Chair of the Grants Subcommittee, Sarah Free is pleased with the number of applications for this round.

This round has seen the most applications to the fund that we have ever had, which is fantastic. If anyone does have a heritage building that needs work they should feel free to contact Council’s heritage team for advice and to see whether we can assist with a grant.

Buildings benefitting from the fund are: 

 Project  Amount allocated
 Former Plumbers Building -124 Wakefield Street
 $25,000
 126 Cuba Street
 $84,000
 Arco House Ltd – 45-47 Cuba Street
 $15,000
 Ashleigh Court – 114 Riddiford Street
 $72,000
 173 Riddiford Street
 $35,000
 258 Riddiford Street
 $3,000
 Jaycee Building – 99 Willis Street
 $10,000
 Glendaruel – 316 Karori Road
 $5,000
 348 Tinakori Road
 $20,000
 Former McGavin House and Surgery – 200 Willis Street
 $84,000
 St Peter’s Anglican Church – 211 Willis Street
 $5,000
 The Shamrock – 224-230 Tinakori Road
 $25,000
 Wellesley Building – 2 Maginnity Street
 $25,000
 180 Riddiford Street
$25,000 
 Wesley Methodist Church – 75 Taranaki Street
 $25,000
 Wellington Rowing Club – 29 Jervois Quay
 $50,000
 Total
 $508,000

All the buildings can be found on the Wellington heritage website, an online inventory of listed items, which provides history, images, architectural information, cultural value, and additional details.