More than just a pretty façade

Discussion about how to secure the future of one of Auckland CBD’s oldest buildings is underway.

The distinctive Northern Club building on Princes Street was constructed in the 1800s, and has been given a 35-year time frame to apply for council consent for earthquake strengthening work.

The Northern Club is a members-only business and networking venue.

Heritage New Zealand’s heritage adviser of architecture, Robin Byron, said that as a category one historic place, the Northern Club building and its strengthening requires special consideration.

“We would expect to discuss and review the strategy so that we could consider the level of physical and visual intrusion into the building,” Ms Byron said.

One visual consideration of the seismic strengthening is the protected Virginia Creeper plant covering the building’s façade, said the Northern Club general manager Nicki DeVilliers.

“Any work that’s done needs to be done to mitigate too much damage to the creeper,” said Mrs DeVilliers.

Architectural photographer and teacher at Auckland University’s school of architecture, Patrick Reynolds, said the building’s unique foliage made it particularly significant.

“[The Northern Club building] is an example of a very early vertical garden in Auckland,” Mr Reynolds said.

A close-up of the creeper plant at the club building on Princes St. Photo: Amelia Petrovich

“It is a good thing to happen as it helps ensure the longevity of a historic place into the future,” Ms Byron said.

According to Mr Reynolds, considering the aesthetic value of buildings like the Northern Club is vital for Auckland’s economic growth.

“There is vast economic value to having a city with high aesthetic standards . . . it’s not just a stick-on thing that’s nice to have,” Mr Reynolds said.

“We generally disregard our built environment . . . and have low standards [with] what we build, and it’s a tragedy.”