A Wellington City Council report recommends demolishing the eight-story Harcourts Building in the city's central business district.
The report by council planners says it's not economic to strengthen the earthquake-prone heritage-listed
building and and the prospect of its loss must be balanced with considerations of public safety.
It says the estimated cost of strengthening the 84-year-old building on Lambton Quay is more than $10.85 million.
The report says the owner's application for total demolition should be granted, on condition a replacement building be granted consent before the original comes down.
The planners' report goes to a hearing committee next month.
