Timeline

Find out more about the timeline of the site at 320 The Terrace.

1944—McLean Flats completed.

1959—Gordon Wilson Flats completed.

2012—Residents evacuated from Gordon Wilson Flats and McLean Flats after serious seismic and structural concerns.

2014—University purchases Gordon Wilson Flats from Housing NZ.

2015—The University's application to rezone the site as an 'Institutional precinct' on the District Plan is considered at a Wellington City Council hearing.

2016—Wellington City Council approves application to rezone the site as an ‘Institutional precinct’ and delists Gordon Wilson Flats from the District Plan heritage list.

2017—Wellington City Council's decision to delist the building's heritage status is successfully challenged in the Environment Court.

June 2019—University purchases the McLean Flats.

July 2019—Wellington City Council deems the Gordon Wilson Flats to be earthquake prone.

2019—University commissions a feasibility study to better understand the site.

2020—The Te Huanui development is proposed as supported by Vice-Chancellor Grant Guilford (a proposal that has since been abandoned).

2021—University undertakes health and safety improvements on the McLean Flats—repairing and building new fencing, and wrapping the public-facing building façade.

2022—University makes a submission to the Proposed District Plan, requesting the council rezone the land occupied by McLean Flats to 'Institutional precinct' and delist Gordon Wilson Flats from the District Plan heritage list.

2023—The University paused the process of lodging a resource consent application to Wellington City Council for the demolition of Gordon Wilson Flats, due to financial sustainability concerns.

March 2024—The University's submission to the Proposed District Plan requesting the delisting of Gordon Wilson Flats from the District Plan heritage list was first rejected by the independent panel, then accepted by Wellington City Council. This proceeds to the Government for ratification.