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.
If you would like to contribute to this basket you are welcome to register and add items yourself or contact the staff in the Taranaki Research Centre at Puke Ariki.
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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2017 View: By Hamish Crimp
This attractive two storied classroom block was erected in stages between 1926 and the 1950s - from the start the building was designed to be extended to accomodate growing student numbers.
The first portion constructed was the southern end incorporating four classrooms (two on each floor) and a number of other smaller rooms including a temporary teachers room. The 1926 portion was designed by noted government architect John Thomas Mair, and the original
2017 View: By Hamish Crimp
This attractive bay villa residence was probably constructed for owner Frank Gore Sole between 1903 and 1910.
A certificate of title for Lot 2 of Part Section 28, Town of Tukapo, was issued to Frank Gore Sole on the 22nd of July 1901. Valuation rolls confirm that as at 31 March 1903 no dwelling was present on the section.
It is probable the present house was constructed by
2017 View: By Hamish Crimp
This attractive villa residence was probably constructed for owner Richard Langman between 1903 and 1905.
A certificate of title for Lot 13 of Part Section 27, Town of Tukapo, was issued to Cholwill Billing on the 19th of July 1901. The property was purchased by Westown settler Richard Langman on the 10th of October 1903, and valuation rolls confirm no dwelling was present on the section at this time.
The house appears to have been
2019 View: By Hamish Crimp
This attractive bay villa residence is thought to have been constructed for Mr Frederick George Holmes during 1910, following his purchase of Sections 52 and 53 of Hua Village (Bell Block), on 21 December 1909 from the Wesleyan Church Trustees.
A Valuation Roll for 1907-12 reveals no house was present in 1907 (the section being leased by John Holmes at the time), nor at the time ownership was transferred to Frederick Holmes from
2019 View: By Hamish Crimp
Now located adjacent to the Highlands Intermediate School pool, this building was originally constructed in 1913 as the original Waingongoro School in South Taranaki.
The style of the building is typical of late-nineteenth and early-twentieth century rural Taranaki school classrooms. It is thought the building may have originally been clad in rusticated weatherboards; however these have at some stage been completely removed and replaced with corrugated steel.
In 1947
2017 View: By Hamish Crimp
This attractive villa/bay cottage was constructed during the early-1900s - possibly for Arthur Owen Murphy about 1904-06.
Arthur Owen Murphy was a New Plymouth butcher, and fought in the SouthAfrican/Boer War during 1901-02.
He married Edith Clara Wray in 1904 and they probably moved into this house soon after. The property on which the house is located was purchased in Clara's name, although it is currently unclear when
2017 View: By Hamish Crimp
This cottage was likely constructed by/for George Blyde as a rental property about 1904-05, and certainly before 1906.
Whiteley Township is located on what was originally Wesleyan/Methodist Mission Land, with the area encompassing much of present-day Moturoa Township known as the 'Mission Farm'. In 1878 plans were drawn for the subdivision of much of the land into smaller leasehold allotments - however this subdivision was, for unknown reasons, delayed until 1902.
2018 View: By Hamish Crimp
Although now extensively remodelled, this building was originally constructed for Alexander Davidson as a corner store about 1904.
During the early-1890s Alexander Davidson operated a firewood and coal business in central New Plymouth, before selling it to G. H. Foote in January 1895. Davidson then sold his residential property in Molesworth and Buller Streets, travelled to Europe to purchase drapery stock, before returning and opening a drapery store called 'The Little Wonder' in Devon
2018 View: By Hamish Crimp
Percy Jury purchased the vacant Town Section 1590 from Jane Salter in October 1925, and subsequently constructed both this house and neighbouring 52 Hobson Street.
Whilst a permit can be found for the construction of neighbouring 52 Hobson Street, no permit has been located for the construction of this house - it is unclear why it is not recorded.
Ownership of the northern half of Town Section 1590
2017 View: By Hamish Crimp
This house is one of several buildings (including neighbouring 2 Kingwell Street), constructed as investment properties for Mrs Annie Gray Wright in the Town of Ahoroa during the early 1900s.
The house was constructed sometime between 1902 and 1908, and probably closer to 1902-03 - Mrs Wright had two other cottages constructed at nearby 412 and 414 St Aubyn Street at this time.
The St Aubyn Town District Valuation
