The historic Birdcage Hotel will once again operate as a hospitality business many years after it closed its doors to punters.

The NZ Transport Agency said today it has finalised an agreement to lease the ground floor of the hotel, near Auckland's Victoria Park, and it will re-open next Wednesday as a bistro.

Bruno's Restaurant Ltd has taken over the lease, the directors of which were the former owners of Iguacu in Parnell.

The 127-year-old Birdcage, which has been owned by the NZTA since 2002, was successfully moved twice during the construction of the Victoria Park Tunnel.

Hydraulic jacks pushed and pulled the hotel 44 metres from its original site. It was then moved back to its original position, which is now located above the tunnel's southern entrance.

NZTA restored the building and landscaped the plaza area in front of it.

NZTA's Tommy Parker said the lease agreement with Bruno's Restaurant Ltd followed the completion of a "comprehensive agreement with Auckland Council and Auckland Transport".

The top floor of the Birdcage is leased to commercial interests.

"The hotel has served Aucklanders well for 127 years and we're delighted that it will continue to be a social meeting place for the community," Parker said.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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