Fort Takapuna Barracks restoration ready for action
Claudia Page
The Auckland Council and the Devonport Takapuna Local Board have completed a project begun in 2014 restoring the two remaining army barracks buildings that date from the outbreak of WW2 in 1939. The Narrowneck site has a long military and naval history dating back to the Russian scare in the 1800s. The buildings are similar but not identical in layout with large open former dormitories and numerous smaller rooms which would have been for more senior ranks. Matthews and Matthews Architects were commissioned to write the conservation plan, which we have made some excerpts from. The renovations have seen all the exterior woodwork stripped and repainted, rotten parts including some of the rimu flooring replaced, windows repaired andl owered internal ceiling linings removed to show the trusses as they would have been when the buildings were new. You can read more about it here
Fort Takapuna barracks interior
The restored barracks including the small meeting spaces should be available to book for community use soon via the Councils Venues for Hire page on their website.