Carlile House, at 84-90 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn, aka the Costley Training Institute (Former), a Category I Historic Place, is deteriorating further, with no resolution in sight.

Built in 1886, the two-storey brick building in Classical-Italianate style has not been in use for decades. Following the closure of the Costley Training Institute at the end of 1908, it became the Richmond Road Children’s Home for two decades. In 1913, a memorial chapel was constructed. The building briefly housed Hukarere Māori Girls’ School following the 1931 Hawkes Bay earthquake. From 1935 until about 1969, it was the headquarters and training school of the Church Army (Anglican), then it was briefly used by the Department of Social Welfare as a remand home. In 1973, it became the Auckland Alternative School, until the United Church of Tonga bought the property. They built a church right next to it and intended Carlile House to be used for accommodation. They do not have the money to repair the building.

In April 2021, Noel Reardon, Heritage Manager at Auckland Council, said, “For more than two decades, Auckland Council and its predecessor Auckland City Council, have worked with the church to find a resolution while also safeguarding the legacy of the building for future generations. Auckland has a rich historic heritage that the council has a responsibility to protect.”

See also this Stuff article from 30 April 2021.

Image: Philip Mansell