Among the greenery of Truby King Park sit the remains of a failed asylum. Considered the largest building in New Zealand when it was built in the late 19th century, Seacliff “Lunatic” Asylum was designed to house 500 patients and 50 staff. The asylum was known for its large size and ornate architecture, designed in the Gothic Revival style by Robert Lawson. Soon after its opening, the building became better known for its constructional faults. A partial collapse occurred in 1887, and a tragic 1942 fire claimed the lives of…
