Owners to blame for Palace Hotel demolition
The collapse of the Palace Hotel was caused by its basement walls not being adequately supported during its renovation by the Chow Group, according to an investigation by Auckland Council.
The collapse of the Palace Hotel in central Auckland was caused by the basement walls not being adequately supported during renovations by the Chow Group, according to an investigation by Auckland Council.
A report on the council investigation, supported by three independent engineers, was released today.
It said the building owners - the Chow Group - "failed to do all that was necessary" to ensure safe renovations and said the owners' site engineers and architects "should have recognised the building was being placed at risk".
The 124-year old Palace Hotel was bowled in November when the council made an order to demolish it saying the building was unsafe.
Auckland Council's building control manager Ian McCormick said:. "On the night of 18 November last year the council sought independent advice and were advised that a controlled demolition of the building was the only course of action to prevent it falling on to Victoria Street West or the buildings next door. The evidence shows the council had no option but to demolish the building in a controlled manner in the interests of public safety."
Mr McCormick said the building had rotated and was constantly moving by up to 5 millimetres an hour towards the street. Large cracks had appeared in the facade and windows were spontaneously breaking.
The council's report has been referred to the Crown Solicitor for advice on a possible prosecution of the building owner. A bill for the council's costs arising from the building's collapse has also been sent to the Chow Group.
NBR staff
Wed, 09 Mar 2011
Wed, 09 Mar 2011
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Owners to blame for Palace Hotel demolition
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