61 Molesworth “Deconstruction” Photography by Liana Pantaleo
Deconstruction of the quake-damaged nine-storey building at 61 Molesworth St. in Wellington is underway, led by United
States contracting firm Ceres Environmental Services. Passers-by and other construction workers stand by the barrier
fences to get a closer look and watch as the ‘ultra-high-reach’ excavator carefully picks apart the concrete and steel
structure. Ceres NZ spokesperson Mike Scott says that dust-suppression techniques are used to help contain dust from the
breaking materials, including asbestos.
This same method was used to demolish many buildings that were damaged in the Christchuch earthquake in February 2011,
including Radio Network House and the Central Police Station. Wellington City Council expects the work to take between
10-14 days to complete.