A Guide to Heritage Restorations
Restoring a heritage building is a rewarding yet intricate process. Whether you're upgrading or renovating, there are specific guidelines and regulations you must follow. At BH Construction, we specialise in heritage construction with the utmost care and transparency.
Here's what you need to know before starting your heritage restoration project.
Planning Development in Auckland’s Heritage and Special Character Areas: What You Need to Know
If you’re planning to renovate, extend, or build within one of Auckland’s historic heritage or special character areas, it’s essential to understand the rules set out in the Auckland Unitary Plan (AUP(OP)). These areas are protected to preserve their historic and architectural significance, and most development here—whether a renovation, new build, or subdivision—will trigger the need for resource consent.
Maintenance and Repair of Heritage Buildings
Older homes often need restoration due to material deterioration over time. Under the AUP(OP), "like-for-like" maintenance and repair is usually permitted, provided original materials and design elements are preserved. Avoid altering cladding, roofing, or other visual features unless they’re being replaced with matching materials.
Additions and Alterations
Homeowners often want to modernise heritage homes with larger kitchens, more bedrooms, or better indoor-outdoor flow. Additions and alterations, especially in Special Character Area Overlays, typically require resource consent.
We recommend working with an architect experienced in heritage properties, and in some cases, a Heritage Specialist, to ensure your design fits within council guidelines. Common best practices include:
Retaining the front façade and original architectural features (verandas, fretwork, street-facing elements)
Positioning additions at the rear of the property to maintain the streetscape
Matching existing materials, window styles, and rooflines
Preserving brick chimneys and other prominent features where possible
Building New in a Heritage Area
New builds in heritage zones are rare and tightly controlled. They typically require the removal or relocation of an existing structure, which is heavily restricted—especially for Scheduled Heritage Buildings. Both demolition and moving a building on-site need resource consent and strong justification.
If you're considering a new build or major redevelopment, it’s crucial to seek specialist advice early to assess feasibility and avoid costly setbacks.
Choosing the Right Team
Restoring a heritage property demands specialised skills. At BH Construction, we take a careful, expert approach to ensure that your building’s historical integrity is preserved while improving its functionality for modern living.
Contact Us for Heritage Restoration
If you're looking to restore a heritage property with the highest standards of quality and transparency, contact BH Construction today.
📞 +64 27 544 5337
🌐 build@bhconstruction.co.nz
As with all our blogs this information is preliminary in nature only and correct at the time of writing. It is not intended to substitute for your own investigations or obtaining specific advice on your proposal from professionals.