New Plymouth Buildings
The architectural make-up of New Plymouth since European settlement stretches from the early cottages of the1840s to the shiny steel-plated exterior of the planned Len Lye Centre. In between has come the transition from timber buildings to concrete, the art deco of the 1930s and the modernism of the 1960s. While a few private residences remain from the early days of European settlement, the Central Business District looks nothing like early paintings and photos. The early wooden buildings have mostly been demolished or destroyed by fire to be replaced by larger reinforced concrete premises. Both commercial and domestic buildings feature in this topic, which can be searched either by the age of the building or its location.
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Explore New Plymouth Buildings on the map below - buildings in blue are still standing in their original location; those in red have been either demolished or shifted outside New Plymouth District/to an unknown location; those in purple have been relocated within New Plymouth District.
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This attractive bungalow residence was constructed for plasterer George Knight in 1924 - it was originally located at 269 Courtenay Street and relocated to its present site in 1971.
A permit for the construction of a house on Town Section 2058 Courtenay Street, was granted to George Knight by the New Plymouth Borough Council on August 20th 1924 - Jones and Sandford were listed as the builders and the estimated construction cost was £1500. It seems likely George completed the exterior stucco plastering himself.
George Knight is listed as residing in the house until the early 1940s,
2015 View
This attractive villa residence was constructed during the early 1900s and was originally located near the present site of 15 Ngaio Street in Strandon, New Plymouth. Based on its style Frank Messenger was likely the architect.
The house was relocated to its present site during 1970 to enable the construction of flats on the Ngaio Street site.
See: Taranaki Daily News, 5 December 2015
2017 View
This attractive villa was originally constructed in 1905 as a rental property for well-known New Plymouth businessman Walter Morey, who resided next door at the now demolished villa 'Noradene'.
A permit for construction of this villa was granted to Morey by the Borough Council on the 1st of August 1905; the estimated construction cost was £504, and although Morey is listed as the architect, based on the style of the house, Frank Messenger seems the
2017 View: By Hamish Crimp
The permit that probably relates to the construction of the present house at 4 George Street was granted by the Borough Council to builder Joseph McCracken on the 26th of September 1924 for the construction of a house on Sub 2, George Street – McCracken was the builder, and the estimated construction cost was £750.
Soon after completion the bungalow was purchased by Charles and Emily Hitchcock, who both lived the remainder
2017 View: By Hamish Crimp
The permit that probably relates to the construction of the present house at 5 George Street was granted by the Borough Council to builder Joseph McCracken on the 21th of November 1924 for the construction of a house on Sub 3, George Street – McCracken was the builder, and the estimated construction cost was £750.
2017 View: By Hamish Crimp
A permit was granted by the Borough Council to J? Little on the 8th of July 1920 for the construction of a house on Pt Section 30 George Street – Little was noted as the builder and the estimated construction cost was £800.
Isabel Little is noted as the owner of the property on DP3964 surveyed in June 1920.
Upon completion the house was sold and for 1922
A permit was granted by the Borough Council to machinist John William Smith on the 8th of November 1924 for the construction of a house on Pt Section 30 George Street – F. E. Cooper was the builder, and the estimated construction cost was £800.
The Smith's resided in the house for several decades.
2017 View: By Hamish Crimp
A permit was granted by the Borough Council to H. Lees on the 19th of December 1924 for the construction of a house on Pt Section 30 George Street – J. Gifford was the builder, and the estimated construction cost was £1328.
The architects were likely the noted New Plymouth firm of Messenger, Griffiths & Taylor, who advertised for tenders for the erection of a residence in George Street for Mr Lees
New Zealand Graphic, 5 January 1910, page 27
This attractive two-storied villa was constructed for Charlie Emanuel Bellringer about 1900-01. It was located on the present site of Big Save Furniture, 300 Devon Street East (Town Section 1455) and was demolished during the 1970s.
The NPBC rates book for 1900-01 doesn't mention a house as being present on Town Sections 1455 & 1480 (both owned by Bellringer) and the property is
2017 View: By Hamish Crimp
This attractive English Cottage style house was constructed for Robert Thorburn McQuade and his family in 1927 - the design is said to have been influenced (or copied from) plans by noted English architect Sir Edwin Lutyens (although this cannot be confirmed).
A permit was granted to Robert Thorburn McQuade on the 8th of July 1927 for the construction of a house on Section 7 of Subdivision 6, Part W,
