Auckland’s oldest remaining brick building in the central business district is deteriorating while a dispute over repairs moves through the courts.
The former Fitzroy Hotel on Wakefield Street was built in 1854. A nearby resident is calling for a collective effort to repair the structure, which has visible cracking and ongoing deterioration. Auckland Council has deemed the building dangerous, and the property remains empty as the arguments over fixing it continue.
For mason contractors and restoration crews, the situation is a familiar warning sign. When historic brick buildings sit vacant, water entry and deferred maintenance often speed up damage, especially at mortar joints and around openings. Stabilization, careful investigation of cracking, and planning for compatible repairs, including repointing or tuckpointing where appropriate, are often central to keeping original brickwork intact while addressing public safety concerns.
Read the full, original article from RNZ here.