Heritage building finds home in Parnell
Dignitaries queued up to be part of the action when the Parnell station building was officially opened.
An extensively renovated heritage building shifted on to site at Parnell station was officially opened by a host of local dignitaries this month.
Auckland mayor Phil Goff was joined by ACT leader and Epsom MP David Seymour; Waitemata Local Board Chair, Pippa Coom; and University of Auckland Vice Chancellor, Professor Stuart McCutcheon.
The heritage building, which had served Newmarket station for 100 years from 1908 to 2008, was relocated to the Parnell site from the Swanson rail yards.
The two-story wooden Victorian building has had a fresh coat of paint.
Dave Pearson Architects heritage specialist Brent Withers said the station was in pretty bad shape to start with. “It had been stored unused for eight years. It had rain damage and windows broken. It’s a big project to get the character back into the old building.”
Mayor Phil Goff said the relocation was “a small development in the scheme of things but an important one”.
“It is great for Parnell residences, businesses, and will service the university. It’s great for the Auckland Domain and Auckland Museum.”
The total cost of the Parnell station is budgeted at $18.9 million. Stage one is expected to cost $12 million when completed.
“In full capacity 2000 people will disembark during the early morning peak periods,” Goff said.
University of Auckland Vice Chancellor, Professor Stuart McCutcheon said Parnell was the closest station to the University – the nearest other stop, at Britomart, was 500 metres further away.
“It improves access for the lower socio economic parts of Auckland to the university,” he said.
Auckland Transport Board Chair, Dr Lester Levy said Dave Pearson Heritage Architects had done an “amazing” job.
“Parnell rail station is a station of true character.”
Waitemata Local Board Chair, Pippa Coom thanked councillor Mike Lee, who has been an active voice since the beginning of the project.
“It’s a proud day but, particularly for Mike Lee,” Coom said.
Act Leader and Epsom MP, David Seymour was an unexpected guest at the opening ceremony and participated in the cutting of the ribbon.
The second stage of the development is at a projected cost of $7 million and involve further enhancements to improve the station access ways.
