Historic Places Trust delighted with Mt Eden decision
New Zealand Historic Places Trust Information Release
7 Mayl 2008
The New Zealand Historic Places Trust is delighted that the Department
of Corrections will retain and incorporate the historic Mt Eden Prison
into its new development announced earlier today.
The Mt Eden Prison building is registered Category I by the New Zealand
Historic Places Trust - the country's leading heritage agency - denoting
it as a place of outstanding heritage significance.
"We're very pleased that this important historic building will continue
to function within the new prison development planned for Mt Eden,"
says the Historic Places Trust's General Manager Northern, Sherry Reynolds.
"The historic prison lends itself to adaptive reuse as an administration
building. It's tremendous that the Department of Corrections has seen
this potential and has agreed to restore the building and modify it for
staff and administration use."
The imposing bluestone building was built by prison labour, with construction
beginning in 1885, and was based loosely on British jails like Pentonville
which were designed to keep prisoners separate from one another, and to
help foster rehabilitation.
Architects at the time often modeled prison exteriors on castles or fortresses
drawing on Classical or Gothic architectural styles. The actual structure
of the prison building beneath the façade, however, was more prosaic
and utilitarian.
"It may not be one of the most pleasant of Auckland's historic buildings,
but Mt Eden Prison is still a very important part of the city's heritage.
The building is remarkably well preserved for a 19th Century structure
- even after almost 120 years of constant use - so it's great that this
heritage will be retained and restored," says Ms Reynolds.
"This is a very good outcome for heritage, and the Department of
Corrections should be congratulated for their commitment and leadership
in preserving this nationally significant historic building."
For further information
John O'Hare
Heritage Adviser Media and Marketing
Northern Region
Tel: 09 401 7582
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