Auckland Central MP Chloe Swarbrick has released a new video of the interior of the vandalised St James Theatre.
The video by Auckland Central MP Chloe Swarbrick showed fungi growing on damp floors at the St James theatre in Auckland. Photo: Kethaki Masilamani
The heritage theatre has been closed since 2007 and had been mothballed until a spate of recent break-ins.
Building owner Steve Bielby said thieves and vandals had 'gutted' the once historic site.
The video showed fungi growing on damp floors, damaged electrical fittings and roof.
Swarbrick wrote an open letter calling for the government to match the Auckland Council's $15million commitment to restoring the building.
She said the decision can't be kicked down the road any more.
In the letter, Swarbrick said the recent break-ins and damage had exposed the building to weather and rain, and accumulated foundation-eroding dampness.
She said revival of the theatre secured Queen Streets' status as a buzzing destination and provided space and place to Auckland's creative community.
St James' controversial history
St James Theatre has been riddled with controversies since 2007 after a fire in neighbouring building caused the theatre to shut down.
After it was sold to Relianz Holdings who intended to partially fund the restoration supported by $15million from Auckland Council, it looked like category 1 historic building might reopen when an electrical fault fire in 2015, and then the scrapping of the Holdings' 300-apartment project, led to the doors closing, for now permanently.
In 2022, the theatre was vandalised by a group of youth who forced their way into the building and looted the abandoned theatre.
