Tenants in a commercial building in Sumner have discovered their shops are structurally unsafe and will be red-stickered.
Since February's earthquake, shops have continued to operate from the Marriner Street building, unaware of how unsafe it is.
The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority says it learnt of the situation this week, after the building was assessed by the owner's insurance company.
Demolition manager Warwick Isaacs says engineers found severe structural weaknesses that hadn't been picked up before.
Mr Isaacs says the authority reviewed the assessment and agreed the building is a hazard.
Tenants are being allowed restricted access to remove their belongings, but a demolition notice will soon be issued.
