8 Jun 2018

Historic courthouse in Samoa to be demolished

8:32 pm on 8 June 2018

Samoa's old courthouse, which is one of the country's most historic buildings, is to be rebuilt and turned into a hotel.

Samoa's old courthouse building

Samoa's old courthouse building Photo: World Monuments Fund

Samoa's Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said the building, which is on Beach Road in central Apia, is riddled with termites and has been condemned.

The iconic building was built by the German administration in 1902 and was the seat of government during both the German and New Zealand administrations of Samoa.

It also housed government offices on the top floor after Samoa gained independence in 1962 with the court house on the ground floor.

Tuilaepa said a new building with the same colonial design and modern materials will be built in its place.

The project will be funded by Samoa's international investment arm, the Samoa International Finance Authority.

The Prime Minister said the planned hotel will take the top floor while the ground floor will be turned into stores and a museum.

It is not clear when the project will start.