Wellington City Council has found at least 170 earthquake-prone buildings in the capital, including its own headquarters and the Town Hall.
That number is expected to rise to 700, as the council continues to take stock of pre-1976 commercial buildings and apartment blocks.
The council began assessment five years ago and has looked at 2600 of the 3800 buildings that a review of its files had identified as requiring further assessment.
Other buildings that need earthquake strengthening include the main grandstand at the Basin Reserve cricket ground and the central fire station.
The Fire Service says an upgrade will start later this year.
In 2009, the council relaxed its time frames for how quickly earthquake strengthening needed to be done, to allow business to budget for the cost of the work.
The council is reviewing that policy in the wake of the Christchurch earthquake, but says it recognises cost is going to be an issue.
Its manager for building compliance, Steve Cody, says the council has budgeted $42 million to strengthen all its buildings and work should start in the next two or three years.
