A heritage building that began cracking in Auckland's central business district on Thursday is to be demolished overnight.
Auckland mayor Len Brown said on Thursday night he was desperately sad to announce the Palace, built in 1882 and formerly known as the Aurora Hotel, had to come down.
The Victoria Street West building had been undergoing extensive renovations for conversion to a brothel when cracks began appearing on the walls.
The area was cordoned off, neighbouring buildings evacuated and streets closed.
Mr Brown says three separate groups of structural engineers have all said the three-storey building is not safe.
He says since the cracks started appearing at 2pm the building shifted 95 millimetres on an hourly basis.
The Radio New Zealand News reporter at the scene says the problem is in the basement.
She says it is far too dangerous to go inside to try to brace the building, and it cannot be done from outside.
Demolition was to start from the top, brick by brick.
