100-year-old Auckland Domain Wintergarden glasshouses re-open to the public

After being covered up for the past two years, the Century-old glasshouses at Auckland Domain Wintergarden are ready to welcome visitors once again. 

COVID-19 lockdowns had interrupted the original plans to celebrate the 100th birthday of the elegant glasshouses in October 2021, but Auckland Council has now reintroduced them to the public following seismic upgrades and building restoration works. 

The two steel and glass, barrel-vaulted Victorian glasshouses have undergone seismic strengthening with additional steel ties and cleats attached to the existing structure, specially designed glazing bars added, and clear glass re-introduced in keeping with the original design intent. 

Chair of the Auckland Domain Committee and Deputy Mayor, Desley Simpson, shared that restoring these historic glasshouses, which had previously hosted weddings, musical recitals, and world leaders, was a painstaking but rewarding task.

The restoration of the glasshouses began in early 2019 and was carried out in two stages, with each taking approximately 12 months to complete at a cost of NZ$5.62 million. 

Simpson shared that the two-year restoration of the Wintergarden buildings has allowed these gems to reclaim their status as "stars" of the Auckland Domain. 

While the glasshouses are usually home to a wide range of trees and potted plants gardening staff faced the challenge of preserving tropical plants during the renovation period, thankfully the myriad of rare plant species and botanical displays have now returned to their rightful home.

Tracey Hartley of Salmond Reed Architects, the company tasked with overseeing the restoration said, "The sensitive seismic upgrading and attention to detail has not only saved but enhanced these key historic buildings."

• The chimney to the Tropical House has been strengthened and framed by new clear glazing
• Brickwork, external plaster and extensive timber joinery have been repaired and repainted
• New and increased capacity rainwater disposal system
• Upgrades to the display shelving in both houses
• New exterior and interior lighting into the houses, courtyard and the fernery
• The old gas boiler has been replaced with a more environmentally sustainable wood pellet-fired boiler
• CCTV has been installed to prevent the theft of plants
• The pond to the Tropical House has been refurbished and new display cabinets are soon to be installed for rare plant species
• The rare Victoria Amazonica water lily has been transferred back to the newly refurbished pond and will have a new grow lamp suspended on a new frame