A TINY anarchists’ clubhouse sandwiched between two multistorey development sites is under threat from building works, according to some members.

Melbourne Anarchists Club spokesman Leigh Kendall said the group bought the St Georges Rd headquarters in 2006 and spent two years renovating, so were upset to find cracks appearing, power problems and doors no longer opening since works began next door.

He said the movement of the building and subsequent damage was likely caused by inadequate support of the basement excavation at the former Mayven warehouse site next door, where Abbotsford-based company Verve Construction was building a six-level apartment block.

media_camera Leigh Kendall trying to open a door he says is now sticking due to structural movement. Pictures: Kylie Else media_camera Leigh Kendall showing cracks in the walls of the Melbourne Anarchist Club. Pictures: Kylie Else

Mr Kendall said he had called on the construction company to fix the problem before the damage worsened.

“They’re saying it’s not their fault but we took pictures before the works started that show these problems have happened since,” he said.

Verve Construction manager Adrian Ruggiero said the company did a dilapidation report on the Melbourne Anarchists Club house before works began, which recorded the cracks as pre-existing.

“The Anarchist Club’s walls are very dilapidated and you could expect some normal and natural movement. There’s been no damage done by Verve.”

Mr Ruggiero acknowledged the company removed the club’s power box but that was because it was illegally installed on the wall of the building the company was working on.

It has been replaced with an upgraded model. He said Verve Construction followed all statutory requirements to make sure the excavation beside the clubhouse was properly reinforced.

Mr Ruggiero said this was the first complaint he’d heard of.