18 Mar 2017

George Farrant on preserving historic Auckland

From Saturday Morning, 9:05 am on 18 March 2017
George Farrant

George Farrant Photo: supplied

George Farrant is Auckland Council's Principal Heritage Advisor, a role he's held for 35 years. 

During his career, Farrant has overseen major restoration projects including the Civic Theatre, the Auckland Town Hall, the Auckland Art Gallery and The Pah Homestead, and most recently led the removal of a large 1950s mosaic from the former site of the Odeon Theatre on Queen St.

The ceramic tile mural was one of the last surviving New Zealand works by ex-pat architect Maurice K. Smith. Currently, he's overseeing the heritage requirements of the restoration of the St James Theatre, also in Queen Street. 

As well as his work in developing systems to identify and protect heritage and conservation areas, Farrant established the Auckland Heritage Festival, at which he gives regular and very popular tours of landmarks like the Civic.

Take a virtual tour of the Civic Theatre here.