The diocese of Hamilton, in New Zealand, has gained consent to demolish Euphrasie House.
The Hamilton East Community Trust (HECT) is fighting to prevent the demolition of the 74 year old building.
The former convent, rebuilt in 1939, used as a boarding house for girls attending Sacred Heart College until it closed in 2011, is currently listed as a ”Category B” heritage building.
Euphrasie House was the first three-storey building in Hamilton, and has a distinctive Spanish style, plaster walls and orange roof that set it apart from many other buildings in the city.
The diocese says it cannot afford earthquake strengthening work, and wants to instead build a two-storey diocesan centre on the site.
Mediation has failed and the matter will now go before the Environment Court.
Source
- Stuff.co.nz
- Stuff.co.nz
- Image: Flickr
