Emporium tug of war

One of the central city's oldest buildings may be Merivale-bound.

The Shands Emporium on Hereford St will be shifted if the Merivale Precinct Society can find land and funding to move it, said owner and colourful property mogul Anthony Gough.

"It became clear last Friday through our architects that we won't be able to use it in the central city - which is what the heritage societies and CERA would like," said Mr Gough.

"The Merivale Precinct Society are very keen. Virtually all they need to do is find some land to put it on and raise some funding," he said.

The relocation of the 152 year-old building from Hereford St to Merivale would be straight forward, said Mr Gough.

"There are no real problems shifting it, no overhead wires, it can be all done in one hit," he said.

Merivale Precinct Society chairman Chris Aynsley said it was still early days, but confirmed they had approached Gough Holdings.

"We suggested to Gough Holdings that Merivale could have it and use it as community rooms," he said.

But the New Zealand Historic Places Trust says due to the historical importance of the building, a move to Merivale should be an "absolute last resort".

Built in 1860, the Shands Emporium is a direct link to the city's early colonisation.

"Our strong preference would be for the Shands Emporium to remain on site, where it is - the approach of shifting it should be the absolute last resort," said New Zealand Historic Places Trust general manager Rob Hall.

He said the historical importance of the site should be preserved by staying on Hereford St.

"The Shands Emporium has been a real survivor, earthquakes aside, as a building and to move it now would be a shame," he said.