Rob Roy, The Birdcage

The construction of Auckland’s Victoria Park Tunnel occasioned a range of interesting heritage work including the temporary relocation and restoration of the Rob Roy Hotel (formerly known as The Birdcage) in Freeman’s Bay In 2010 the hotel was moved to enable construction to be carried out on the tunnel and then in April of 2011 it was slid back forty metres to its original location, by then sited over the southern entrance to the new motorway tunnel.

Preparation for the initial move involved structural strengthening of the building and providing new foundations onto which the masonry hotel was slid, using specially built concrete runway beams. The double move was carried out with the design expertise of the Wellington firm of engineers, Dunning Thornton Consultants.

Salmond Reed’s key role was to ensure that the heritage values of the hotel were maintained during this process. Working alongside archaeologists, Clough & Associates, we were responsible for the heritage documentation of the hotel as well as preparation of documentation for the additions and upgrading required to ensure reinstatement and effective ongoing use as offices and hospitality areas.