Caught in the evening light. Disused hangar, Hobsonville Point, Auckland. Image: Su Leslie, 2016. Edited with Snapseed and Stackables.
Hobsonville Point is a greenfield “community” being constructed on a former RNZAF (Royal New Zealand Air Force) base near where I live in Auckland. Its growth is rapid, with new roads and houses springing up daily. Within the development are a number of old buildings that formed part of the base — barracks, officer housing, hangars and workshops.
One hangar is currently plastic-wrapped and obviously being refurbished. Another — shown above — is fenced off and has workmen on site. Since February, the roof has been removed, exposing the building’s steel skeleton. I assumed the hangar was being demolished, but the Big T thinks the work is too careful. Perhaps it too will be given a second lease of life.
Either way, the daily change in its profile is fascinating to watch and photograph.
Morning mist. Disused hangar, Hobsonville Point, Auckland. Image: Su Leslie, 2016. Edited with Snapseed and Stackables.
Skeleton beyond the wire. The sun sets behind a disused hangar, Hobsonville Point, Auckland. Image: Su Leslie, 2016. Edited with Snapseed and Stackables.
Skeleton beyond the wire. The sun sets behind a disused hangar, Hobsonville Point, Auckland. Image: Su Leslie, 2016. Edited with Snapseed and Stackables.
This post was written for Sally D’s Mobile Photography Challenge at Lens and Pens by Sally.
Zimmerbitch 
Ooh, delicious decay!
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I do hope they’re re-purposing the building, Su. But either way, it makes the perfect photo op.
janet
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Me too Janet. I hate so see such wonderful, huge spaces go to waste. 🙂
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I think most old structures can be repurposed into something new and modern.
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Hi Terry. Yes, I just hope that that money men decide to repurpose rather than demolish. These large hangars would make fantastic communal spaces — so necessary in a brand-new development that needs to build “community” from scratch.
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These discoveries have multi layers of meaning. Their aesthetic appeal often surprises. The last image has a strong graphic quality that lends to a striking image. Happy Photo Challenge.
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Thanks so much Sally. I think part of what draws me to this place is my ambivalence about what is happening in the area and a desire to find as much beauty in the transformation as I can.
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The sun is setting on those old buildings. Time for change.
Leslie
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It would be a shame if they are lost altogether. They were built at a time when NZ was quite enamoured with art deco style, and even quite modest building on the base are very influenced by deco. A couple are truly gorgeous!
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Let’s hope they get repurposed.
Leslie
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I can see why you are fascinated. It is a fabulous subject.
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Thanks; I didn’t expect to get quite so enthusiastic about this spot, but every time I photograph it, I see something new.
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Beautiful shots! I like the sense of desolation and decay, washed over by the wonderful rays of sunshine:)
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Thanks so much. Hope you’re feeling better now.
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You´re welcome:) Oh, yes, I do actually a bit, it´s such a relief, especially as it´s going to be the first warm weekend of the year! Have a lovely day! 🙂
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Have a great weekend.
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Lovely work. I remember when it was just an air force field – we would go up as children to watch air shows there
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Thanks Raewyn. It’s utterly unrecognisable now, and I have quite mixed feelings about it. One one hand I hate the way Auckland is growing so fast, but on the other, at least Hobsonville Point appears better designed that so many other new developments. 🙂
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It’s so great to see things re-purposed than just pulled down. Can’t wait to see what they plan to do with it.
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I feel the same! Every time I go through Hobsonville Pt. things have changed (mostly new housing, so not for the better). But there are good things too, like bikes that can be borrowed to ride around the area, public art, a weekend market and a community garden. I’m cautiously optimistic!
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It is wonderful that they are going to do something with this place instead of starting a new one.
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I so hope so. The alternative I think is demolition for lots of little new houses.
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Little new houses… They seem like growing all over the world.
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Like weeds! The old hangar sits in the middle of an area that was part airfield, part farm land until about four years ago. The plan is for 3000 new homes over the next few years. And it’s only one of several developments on that scale around the city. When I was a child, most of the fruit and vegetables my mother bought were grown locally. Now all of the market gardens are gone — replaced by houses occupied by people who need to eat and have to buy their food from elsewhere. Is it just me, or does that sound insane to you too?
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It does. It makes me angry when I see developers use farm land.
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Lovely shots Su 🙂 It would make a wonderful museum or art gallery!
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Thank you. Wouldn’t it!
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