tauranga cbd heritage study draft record form - Tauranga City Council

TAURANGA CBD HERITAGE STUDY DRAFT RECORD FORM 

LOCATION / STREET ADDRESS: 

19 Devonport Road 

BUILDING NAME (IF ANY) 

Davies Buildings 

ITEM NUMBER 

LEGAL DESCRIPTION 

OTHER LISTINGS 

ZONING 

Commercial Business 

REGISTERED OWNER 

Insert Photo 

RELATIONSHIP TO THEMATIC FRAMEWORK 

Theme ii The Built City Development of Commercial Areas, Theme iii Industry and Commerce 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANCE 

Davies Building is considered to be of some significance in terms of historic values, architectural values, 

group/context values and a good representative example of the type of commercial development typical in 

Tauranga and other New Zealand towns, in the 1930s. The building provides evidence of a period of 

expansion and consolidation in the commercial centre during the 1930s. Davies Building forms part of a 

group of buildings in Devonport Road built c 1930 which make an important contribution to the established 

built streetscape character of the CBD. 

PERIOD / DATE OF CONSTRUCTION 

c 1930 

RARITY OR SPECIAL FEATURES 

REPRESENTATIVENESS 

Davies Building is a good example of the type of buildings erected around 1930 in Tauranga for retail with 

residential accomodation at the upper level, and is typical of the type of main street development in many 

New Zealand towns and cities of this period. 

CONTEXT OR GROUP VALUE 

Davies Building forms part of a group of 1920s and 30s buildings in lower Devonport Road which 

contribute to the established character of the street. 

DIVERSITY 

FRAGILITY OR VUNERABILITY

ARCHAEOLOGICAL QUALITIES 

Information/Reseach/Recognition or Protection 

ARCHITECTURAL QUALITIES 

Style or type/Design 

Davies Building is a substantial two level building combining elements of the strippedClassical and Art 

Deco styles which were typically used at this time for retail buildings which often had residential 

accomodation at the upper level. The façade is divided into three bays, with a shingled hood supported on 

decorative timber brackets above the central windows.Such expressed roof elements were features that 

were utilised for numerous mainstreet buildings at the time. To each side the original steel framed windows 

are set in within a shallow recess with a plain projecting horizontal hood above.Beneath the plain parapet is 

a band of fret patterned plaster work, with the building name in raised plaster lettering and a central 

flagpole. 

Designer or builder 

Construction 

HISTORIC QUALITIES 

Historic Pattern 

The site was owned by Charles Christopher Thomas Davies from 1909, originally a settler from Taranaki. 

Part of the full site was leased to Frederick Christian in 1913. This may well have been the original site of 

Frederick Christian's business which later moved closer to Elizabeth Street by 1934. Charles Davies was 

operating as a motor engineer from this site in 1921, but James Albert O'Neill appears on the early 

valuation records from c.1923. O'Neill initially leased part of the site from 1914, and by 1929 operated a 

hairdresser/tobacconist business here, alongside two other businesses in the same building. The Davies 

Building may date, therefore, from the early 1920s. The building was known as Davies Building from at 

least 1936. 

The first businesses in Tauranga were established along The Strand and Wharf Street. Devonport Road 

initially contained a mix of residential and small scaled business premises, with the businesses mostly 

clustered at the junction with Spring Street and The Strand. This gradually changed, with residential 

dwellings disappearing from the town centre.The population of Tauranga was relatively small, reaching 

3000 by around 1930 and growng to approximately 4000 by 1940. Up until the early 1930s Devonport Road 

contained a mix of functions including blacksmiths, grocers stores, confectioners, tearooms, private hotels, 

houses, bakers, iron mongers and even the gas works which was located on a site between Devonport 

Road and Grey Street. 

The construction of a substantial building on the corner of Devonport Road and Spring Street in 1911 was 

the start of of the twentieth century development of Devonport Road as a major retail area for Tauranga. A 

significant period of development occurred in the 1930s when a number of new commercial buildings were 

built at the lower part of Devonport Road, and a number of early timber buildings on The Strand were 

replaced by masonry buildings. The construction of the new Post Office building on the corner of Grey 

Street and Spring Street in 1938 is further evidence of the consolidation of the centre at this time.Davies 

Building dates from C 1920s/30s and forms part of this period of development in central Tauranga, which 

makes an important contribution to the established built streetscape character of the CBD. 

Associative Value 

SCIENTIFIC QUALITIES 

Information/Potential Research 

TECHNOLOGICAL QUALITIES 

Technical Achievement 

CULTURAL HERITAGE VALUE 

Sentiment

Identity 

The building has formed part of the streetscape in Devonport Road for approximately eighty years and 

contributes to the established streetscape character evident in this part of central Tauranga. 

Amenity 

Education 

INTEGRITY / CURRENT CONDITION 

Davies Building appears generally sound. There are some hairline horizontal cracks evident to the 

plasterwork on the façade. The flagpole support is rusted. Steel framed original windows appear generally 

sound. Paintwork has deteriorated.The shopfronts have been modified but the building retains its original 

entrance and stair. 

REFERENCE SOURCES 

SA 88/208, LINZ records; Tauranga Winter Exhibition and Carnival , May 1929 (booklet), ref. EDH 1/22/6/3, 

Tauranga Library; 1934 plan of Tauranga (No. 1 sheet), Tauranga Library;Auckland Provincial Trade 

Directory 1936/1937, p. 198 

LAND INFORMATION 

PHOTOGRAPHS (HISTORICAL) 

insert photo 

PREPARED BY: 

Matthews & Matthews Architects Ltd, Jennie Gainsford and Lisa Truttman. 

FOR: 

TAURANGA DISTRICT COUNCIL AND ENVIRONMENT BAY OF PLENTY 

DATE OF SURVEY 

2007 

PHOTOGRAPHED: 

Matthews & Matthews Architects Ltd





Devonport Buildings 

ITEM NUMBER 



ZONING 

Commercial Business 


Insert Photo 




Devonport Buildings is considered to be of some significance in terms of historic values, architectural 

values, group/context values and a good representative example of the type of commercial development 

typical in Tauranga and other New Zealand towns, in the 1930s. The building provides evidence of a period 

of expansion and consolidation in the commercial centre during the 1930s. Devonport Buildings forms 

part of an intact group of buildings in Devonport Road built c 1930 which make an important contribution 

to the established built character of the CBD. 


c.1928 



Devonport Buildings is a good example of the type of buildings erected around 1930 in Tauranga for retail 

with residential accomodation at the upper level, and is typical of the type of main street development in 

many New Zealand towns and cities of this period. 


Devonport Buildings form part of an intact group of 1920s and 30s buildings on the east side of Devonport 

Road which contribute to the established character of the street. 

DIVERSITY 






Devonport Buildings is designed in an eclectic style, combining stripped classical elements with Spanish 

Mission influences. The plastered brick building façade is capped by a central crenulated detail with a 

terracotta tiled roof detail each side.At the upper level two central windows have triangular pediments, with 

the two outer windows capped by semicircular pediments with a floral decorative motif. The plain cornice 

features lion heads either side of raised plaster lettering stating" Devonport Buildings". Barley twist 

pilasters define the edges of the facade. 


Construction 
















Street and Spring Street in 1938 is further evidence of the consolidation of the centre at this time.The 

Devonport Building at 2224 Devonport Road dates from C 1928 and forms part of this period of 

development in central Tauranga, which makes an important contribution to the established built character 

of the CBD. 

It is likely that this building was constructed c.1928 at the earliest, for local land agent George Herbert Bell. 

Bell, along with his partner Colin Campbell Norris, leased a site at the corner of Devonport Road and the 

Strand in 1910 from the Borough of Tauranga, and built a large twostorey block there by July 1911 termed 

the biggest business premises erected in Tauranga since 1881. 

In 1926, the Borough Council subdivided the remainder of their property between Devonport Road and The 

Strand, and George Bell leased the site of the Devonport Buildings from them in 1927. A wooden building 

in existence at the time of the subdivision was replaced by Bell's building by 1928, as shown by the earliest 

known advertisement for the Devonport Drapery Co., located in Devonport Buildings by the following year. 

Norris & Bell by this time operated a "seedsmen and florists" business from another building close by and 

to the south, also leased from the Borough council. By 1934, the two businesses located at 2224 

Devonport Road were H. A. Mollgaard, grocer (still in that building as at 1959), and the Tauranga 

Pharmacy. 


Mollgaard's Grocers had a long association with the Devonport Buildings, occupying one of the shops for a 

period of twenty five years. 



TECHNOLOGICAL QUALITIES



Sentiment 

Identity 

The building has formed part of the streetscape in Devonport Road for approximately eighty years and 


Amenity 

Education 


Devonport Buildings generally appears sound. Upper level windows have been replaced at some stage 

with Aluminium windows. Shopfronts have been modified periodically and currently have a tiled finish to 

base and columns. Plasterwork to the underside of the tiled roof element to the left side of the facade has 

spalled/ fallen. Cracking is evident to the north side at the junction of the parapet with the side wall. 

Hairline cracks evident to the plastered north side wall. 


SA 132/108, LINZ records; DP 20215, LINZ records; 1934 plan of Tauranga (No. 1 sheet), Tauranga 

Library; Bay of Plenty Times , 26 July 1911; Tauranga Today , 19591960, ref. EPH 1/22/3/2, Tauranga 

Library; Tauranga Winter Exhibition and Carnival , May 1929 (booklet), ref. EDH 1/22/6/3, Tauranga 

Library; valuation rolls, Tauranga Library. 



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1934 Survey map for Tauranga, drawn by G Duncan. 

PREPARED BY: 


FOR: 



2007 

PHOTOGRAPHED: 






Hardley Building 

ITEM NUMBER 



ZONING 

Commercial Business zone 


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Hardleys building at 31 Devonport Road is considered to be of some significance in terms of historic 

values, architectural values, group/contecxt valuesand a good representative example of the type of 

commercial development typical in Tauranga in the 1930s. The building provides evidence of a period of 

expansion and consolidation in the commercial centre during the 1930s. It is a good example of the work of 

architect H L D West, who designed a number of signifiacnt buildings in the Bay of Plenty region in the 

early 20th century and became the Tauranga Borough architect. Hardleys Building forms part of a group of 

1930s buildings in Devonport Road which make an important contribution to the established built character 

of the CBD. 


1935 



Hardleys Building is a good example of the type of buildings erected in the 1930s period in Tauranga for 

retail with residential accomodation at the upper level. 


Hardleys Building is one of a number of buildings in lower Devonport Road built during the 1930s. It forms 

part of a group in this part of the road which contribute to the established character of the street. 

DIVERSITY 






Hardleys Building combines elements of the stripped Classical and Art Deco styles which were commonly 

used for many retail buildings of this era throughout New Zealand.The use of low relief detail and 

restrained use of decorative detail would have given the building a modern apperance when first built. The 

window design is also typical of retail buildings of this period, with large openings, divided into multiple 

panes. The facade is divided into three bays . The central bay projects slightly forward and features one 

main window with two smaller narrow windows, raised plaster lettering and a flagpole mounted on a circular 

base. The design of the building is similar to the building at 45 The Strand, also designed by H.L.D West. 


H L D West 

Architect H L D West was working in the Bay of Plenty region in the early decades of the 20th century and 

designed a number of significant buildings in Opotiki, Whakatane and Tauranga. His work includes a range 

of commercial and residential buildings. Harold West was the borough architect for Tauranga when he died 

at the age of fifty ( date?). He had his own plane which he used to fly over to Thames and other places to 

carry out work. He designed the Tauranga Ladies Rest Room (now demolished, the coloured plan for which 

is in the Tauranga Library) He trained under his father was also an architect, working in Christchurch and 

Timaru. West lived in Mission Street in Tauranga towards the end of his life. 

H L D West or the practice of Whincup and West are responsible for a number of significant buildings in 

Opotiki including Patterson’s Building, Rostgard’s Building, the Masonic Hotel, the former Bridger’s 

building, Arthur’s and Larmer’s buildings in Church Street, as well as a former car showroom at 16 King 

Street. All of these utilise a similar range of decorative motifs and detail and make a strong contribution to 

the built character of Opotiki. 

HLD West was practising in King Street in Opotiki in 1915 , when he may have been in practice with a Mr 

Whincup. Their practice is listed in street directories as tenants in Rostgards Building (which they 

designed). H L D West was practicing from Whakatane by the time he designed Patterson’s Building in 

1923. In Whakatane H L D West designed the Plunket Building, and Bridgers Building. 

West designed a number of buildings in Tauranga during the 1930s, including Hardleys Building at 31 

Devonport Road designed in 1934, alterations to Munro’s Building in 1935 when an upper floor was added 

to the original 1917 building and the building at 45 The Strand, built in 1936. 

West also designed houses including the Patterson House at 40 Brown Street and is thought to have 

designed a house for A J LeCren in Devonport Road, Tauranga. 

Construction 










Road and Grey Street.

A significant period of development occurred in the 1930s when a number of new conmercial buildings 

were built at the lower part of Devonport Road, and a number of early timber buildings on The Strand were 



building block at 31 Devonport Road dates from 1935 and forms part of this period of development in 

central Tauranga, which makes an important contribution to the established built character of the CBD. 


The Hardley Brothers were based in Auckland, having set up their hardware merchants business there in 

1909, which later expanded to become a plumbing supplies firm and sheet metal manufacturer in 

Ponsonby in 1921.Prior to the installation of their sheet lead rolling machine in Auckland, all sheet lead for 

building had to be imported from Australia or England. The Devonport Road site was owned by the Hardley 

Brothers (Samuel, George Thomas, Walter Frederick and Charles Edward) from at least 1912, and 

possibly earlier. The family originated from Hamilton before moving the headquarters of their operations to 

Auckland, and Tauranga may have been a branch outlet for their products. The Hardley Building in 

Devonport Road remained in the Hardley family's ownership at least into the 1940s.Mr George Albert 

Hardley, who became chairman of Hardleys Ltd as well as many other firms, went on to become the Mayor 

of Newmarket in Auckland during thew 1950s and a member of the Metropolitan Drainage Board. 






Sentiment 

Identity 

The building has formed part of the streetscape in Devonport Road for for approximately eighty years and 


Amenity 

Education 


Hardleys Building has been repainted in 2007 and appears well maintained and in sound condition.The 

building retains its original steel framed windows and original entrance door. 


Valuation rolls, Tauranga library; NZ Herald 23 July 1921 p. 10 (8); Auckland Star , 14 September 1982 

(obit for Catherine A Hardley), p. 12; NZ Herald 23 December 1957 (obit for G A Hardley); DP 7951, LINZ 

records; Plan P1570311, Tauranga City Council records; Tauranga Winter Exhibition and Carnival , May 

1929 (booklet), ref. EDH 1/22/6/3, Tauranga Library. 


PHOTOGRAPHS (HISTORICAL)

insert photo 

Copy of part of the original architectural drawings for Hardleys Building prepared by architect H L D west , 

dated June 1934. Tauranga City Council Permit Records. 

PREPARED BY: 

Matthews & Matthews Architects Ltd, Jennie Gainsford and Lisa Truttman.

FOR: 



2007 

PHOTOGRAPHED: 






Teasey's Building and Garage 

ITEM NUMBER 



ZONING 



Insert Photo 




Teaseys Building is considered to be of some significance in terms of historic values, architectural values, 


Tauranga and other New Zealand towns, in the 1930s. The building provides evidence of a period of 

expansion and consolidation in the commercial centre during the 1930s. Tesaeys Building forms part of a 

group of buildings in Devonport Road built c 1930 which make an important contribution to the established 

built streetscape character of the CBD. It has historic associations with the Teasey family who were a 

significant early family.The 1932 garage building and adjacent 1939 retail , office and residentail building 

demonstrate the changing functions on Devonport Road with the early broad range of uses here, including 

service, residential, retail and manufacturing, gradually being replaced by a more consistent retail and 

commercial role over the twentieth century. 


Garage 1932. Main Building 1939 



Teaseys Building is a good example of the type of retail and service buildings built in a mainstreet context 

at this time. 


Teasey's Building and Garage are two of a number of buildings in lower Devonport Road built during the 

1930s. It forms part of an intact group of 1930s buildings on the east side of the road which contribute to 

the established character of the street. 

DIVERSITY 

The combination of the garage building built in 1932 and retail building built a few years later in 1939 

demonstatrte the range of commercial and service functions which operated in Devonport Road in the 

early part of the 20th century, and contribute to the diversity of the surviving built form in central Tauranga. 

FRAGILITY OR VUNERABILITY 




Style or type/Design

Teasey's Building is designed in the Art Deco style, which was widely in use during the 1930s. Art Deco 

originated in Europe in the early decades of the twentieth century, and was most commonly used bewteen 

1920 to 1940. Key aspects of the style in relation to architecture are the use of simple geometric forms and 

bas relief decorative elements.Teasey's Building is a good example of the style in Tauranga and features a 

subtle stepped facde with chevron details, raised plaster lettering as well as a rectangular patterned band 

along the top of the parapet.The building originally housed a shop and offices at the ground level, with 

further offices at the upper level as well as a residential unit at the rear of the upper floor. 


(Main Building 1939) The two level Teasey's Building was designed by architect C H D Porter of 

Tauranga. 

Construction 



Teasey's Building was built in 1939 for William Teasey and the adjacent garage was built in 1932. 














Street and Spring Street in 1938 is further evidence of the consolidation of the centre at this time.Teaseys 

Building dates from 19321939 and forms part of this period of development in central Tauranga, which 

makes an important contribution to the established built streetscape character of the CBD. 


William Thomas Teasey (18711950) was a draper in Tauranga from the late 19th century, taking over 

Thomas Stuart's business on the corner of The Strand and Wharf Street in 1899, then moving to 

Devonport Road premises in the "Progressive" building (believed to be opposite the present site of 

Teasey's Building) in 1912. The first photo used in Bay Of Plenty Times on 1 Oct 1913 was of Mr Teasey’s 

store Devonport Road. Teasey was also a secretary for the Tauranga Domain Board 19141915 and 1919 

1920. By 1934, Teasey was a land agent, with a small brick office on the site of Teasey's Building. This 

was replaced during construction in 1939. His son Harry Teasey operated a motor garage from the 

adjoining site from at least 1932. 

William Teasey is linked by marriage with another significant family in Tauranga , that of Jospeh Brain who 

ran a ship building and construction business in Tauranga. William Teasey married the eldest daughter of 

Joseph and Kate Brain, Ada, at the Brain family home on the corner of Cameron Road and Elizabeth 

Street in 1899. Joseph Brain built a new house for William and Ada in Fourth Avenue (which still remains) 

The first of five daughters, Ada was born in Auckland on 26 February 1874. Some of her school days were 

spent in Auckland and continued in Tauranga where Mr. Lillington taught her. Ada Teasey died on 3 

December 1950 a few days after her husband William Teasey, who died on 23 November 1950. 






Sentiment 

Identity 



Amenity 

Education 

INTEGRITY / CURRENT CONDITION

Teaseys 1932 building appears generally sound, althought there is a crack above the window on the 

parapet. The shopfronts are currently being modified(August 2007)The 1939 Teaseys Building has a 

diagonal crack above the left windows. The building retains its original steel framed windows, with some 

deterioration evident.The original suspended verandah remains, with its original pressed metal cladding to 

the underside, with diamond patterned panels. 


1934 plan of Tauranga (No. 1 sheet), Tauranga Library; Plan no. 1570461, Tauranga City Council 

records; Tauranga Library index reference cards; Bay of Plenty Times 1 October 1913, p. 3; 21 October 

1912; 31 May 1899; 


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Part of survey plan of Tauranga prepared in 1934, held at Tauranga Library 

Part original drawing for Tresaey's Building. Building Permit Records, Tauranga City Council 

PREPARED BY: 


FOR: 



2007 

PHOTOGRAPHED: 






Wrigley's Building 

ITEM NUMBER 



ZONING 



Insert Photo 




Wrigleys Building is considered to be of some significance in terms of historic values, architectural values, 

group/streetscape context values and a good representative example of the type of commercial 

development typical in Tauranga in the 1930s. The building provides evidence of a period of expansion 

and consolidation in the commercial centre during the 1930s. Wrigleys Building forms part of a group of 

1930s buildings in Devonport Road which make an important contribution to the established streetscape 

and built character of the CBD. 


c 1930( It is visible on the 1934 Survey Map for Tauranga, shown as a brick building) 



Wrigleys Building is a good example of the type of buildings erected around 1930 in Tauranga for retail 

with residential accomodation at the upper level, and is typical of the type of main street development in 

many New Zealand towns and cities of this period. 


Wrigleys Building forms part of an intact group of 1920s and 30s buildings on the east side of Devonport 

Road which contribute to the established character of the street and the CBD. 

DIVERSITY 






Wrigleys Building is designed in a simple Art Deco style with low relief decorative detail including a fluted 

plaster band at the top of the parapet and small bands at each side beneath this, a central small stepped 

pediment and raised plaster lettering. The upper level has a projecting bay window , with windows 

reinforcing the horizontal proportion of the facde. The single levlel wing to the north has the same 

decorative detail. The suspended verandah is continuous across the two level and single level parts. 


Construction

c 1930( It is visible on the 1934 Survey Map for Tauranga, shown as a brick building) 



By 1934 this was a pharmacy, but may have been built earlier, in the immediate post WWI period. John 

Julius Wrigley owned the property in 1921, and Charles Frederick Wrigley in 1942. The building remained 

in the possession of the Wrigley family until 1977. 












Street and Spring Street in 1938 is further evidence of the consolidation of the centre at this time.Wrigleys 

building dating from c 1930 forms part of this period of development in central Tauranga, which makes an 

important contribution to the established built streetscape character of the CBD. 


Wrigleys Building has historic associations with the Wrigley family who owned in for over fifty years. 






Sentiment 

Identity 



Amenity 

Education 


The building exterior appears reasonably sound. Some of the raised plaster lettering is missing. Steel 

framed windows appear generally sound, although glazing putty is missing in places. 


1934 plan of Tauranga (No. 1 sheet), Tauranga Library; valuation rolls, Tauranga Library; SA 514/99, LINZ 

records. 



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PREPARED BY: 


FOR: 



2007 

PHOTOGRAPHED: 






Northern Star Building 

ITEM NUMBER 



ZONING 

Commercial Business Zone 


Insert Photo 




The Northern Star Building is considered to be of some significance in terms of historic values, 

architectural values, group/context values and a good representative example of the type of commercial 

development typical in Tauranga and other New Zealand towns, in the 1930s. The building provides 

evidence of a period of expansion and consolidation in the commercial centre during the 1920s and 1930s. 

The Northern Star Building forms part of a group of buildings in Devonport Road built c 1930 which make 

an important contribution to the established built streetscape character of the CBD. It demonstrates the 

evolving function in Devonport Road from an earlier mix of uses including service, retail, residential and 

manufacturing, to a more consistent mix of retail and commercial uses from the 1930s onwards. 





The Northern Star Building is one of a number of buildings in lower Devonport Road built during the 1930s. 

It forms part of an intact group of 1920s and 1930s buildings on the east side of the road which contribute 

to the established character of the street. 

DIVERSITY 






The Northern Star Building is designed in a simple stripped Classical style. The building façade is divided 

into nine bays by fluted pilasters with Corinthian capitals.Each bay has paired originally timber, windows, 

with toplights above. (The right hand window is modified) It has a simple curved cornice with raised plaster 

lettering to the parapet above.It has a suspended verandah. 


Karl Johanson 

1933

Construction 



Built by Tauranga builder Karl Johanson in 1933. The Johanson family appear to have arrived in Tauranga 

in 1910. Karl Johanson was responsible for also building, within the central business district, the Royal 

Arcade (6668 Devonport Road) and the building at 136 Willow Street.In 1931, Johanson purchased the 

site in a mortagee sale, and built the block next to his previouslybuilt (1923) Royal Arcade. The Northern 

Star Building remained in Johanson family possession at least until the 1950s. 













Northern Star building dating from c 1930 forms part of this period of development in central Tauranga, 

which makes an important contribution to the established built streetscape character of the CBD. 







Sentiment 

Identity 



Amenity 

Education 


The building appears in reasonable condition, although exterior paintwork appears deteriorated on left side 

of facade. Some of the original timber windows remain at the upper level. Four have been replaced at 

some stge with aluminium joinery. The shopfrionts have all been modified. 


SA 514/95 & 632/136, LINZ records; Plan No. 1570581, Tauranga City Council records; 



insert photo 

PREPARED BY: 


FOR: 



2007 

PHOTOGRAPHED: 






Royal Arcade 

ITEM NUMBER 



ZONING 

Commercial Business Zone 


Insert Photo 




The Royal Arcade is considered to be of significance in terms of historic values, architectural values, 


Tauranga and other New Zealand towns, in the 1920s 1930s. The building is one of the earliest commercial 

buildings in Deveonport Road and provides evidence of the start of a period of expansion and 

consolidation in the commercial centre particularly during the 1930s. The Royal Arcade forms part of a 

group of buildings in Devonport Road built c 1920s1930s which make an important contribution to the 

established built streetscape character of the CBD. It demonstrates the evolving function in Devonport 

Road from an earlier mix of uses including service, retail, residential and manufacturing, to a more 

consistent mix of retail and commercial uses from the 1930s onwards. 


1922 it is a comparatively early commercial building in the context of central Tauranga 



The Royal Arcade is a good example of a commercial building in Tauranga's CBD dating from the early 

1920s and shows the progression from simple early timber buildings to more subtstantial masonry 

construction.The building is typical of retail and commercial buildings in many New Zealand towns and 

cities form this period, designed in a classically derived style. 

CONTEXT OR GROUP VALUE

The Royal Arcade is one of the earliest commercail buildings in central Tauranga. It forms part of an intact 

group of 1920s and 30s buildings on the east side of the road which contribute to the established character 

of the street. 

DIVERSITY 

The Rotyal Arcade is one of few buildings in Tauranga's CBD which date from the early 1920s and 

therefore contributes to the diversity of the built fabric. 






The Royal Arcade is designed in a simple Classical style with pilasters dividing the facade into two bays. A 

parapet with balusters and a central curved pediment recording the date of the building originally capped 

the facade. (The parapet was removed several years ago.) The facade has a textured plaster finish a small 

cornice supported on dentils, window architraves have quoin blocks, while the pilasters imitate textured 

ashlar stonework. The style and detail on the facade of the Royal Arcade are very similar to the building 

also built by Johansin on the corner of Spring and Willow Streets , which still remains. 


The Royal Arcade was built by Karl Johanson, who is also thought to have been responsible for its 

design.Karl Johansen is responsible for building a number of buildings in central Tauranga including the 

Royal Arcade, the Northern Star building and the building on the corner of Willow and Spring Street. 

Construction 

An early photograph shows that the building is constructed of concrete blockwork, plastered. The façade 

incorporates blocks with a roughened outer surface in imitation of stone. These are possibly a product 

called " Miracle Blocks" which were manufactured in America and publicised in the Progress magazine 

around the 1910s.Blockmaking machines capable of producing a range of finishes including stonelike 

blocks were also advertised in Progress around the same time. 



The Royal Arcade was built in 1922 by Karl Johanson who built a number of buildings in central Tauranga 

including the Northern Star Building (5864 Devonport Road) and the building at 136 Willow Street(on the 

corner of Spring Street, which is very similar in design to the Royal Arcade).The Johanson family appear to 

have arrived in Tauranga in 1910. The Royal Arcade was first leased by Mr. E A Entwhistle, cash grocer 

from Manchester, England. On 31 August 1933 Henry Graham and Harold Johanson (son of Karl) went 

into partnership and took over Entwhistle’s lease (he retired due to ill health). J H Graham & Co was the 

first firm “to advertise on the air”. Charles Cameron, who had radio shop next door erected a loud speaker 

above the verandah and J H Graham advertised “Oak specials” – a free money box, an old pound tin with 

a slot in it – with every purchase of an Oak product. The volume was so loud it could be heard “all over 

town and as far away as Pillons Point. Complaints came in thick and fast from other businesses on 

Devonport Road, the mayor, chamber of commerce and the police.” 








Road and Grey Street.

A significant period of development occurred starting in the 1920s and more intensively in the 1930s when 

a number of new commercial buildings were built at the lower part of Devonport Road, and a number of 

early timber buildings on The Strand were replaced by masonry buildings. The construction of the new Post 

Office building on the corner of Grey Street and Spring Street in 1938 is further evidence of the 

consolidation of the centre at this time.The Royal Arcade building dating from 1922 forms part of this 

period of development in central Tauranga, which makes an important contribution to the established built 

streetscape character of the CBD. 







Sentiment 

Identity 

The building has formed part of the streetscape in Devonport Road for over eighty years and contributes to 

the established streetscape character evident in this part of central Tauranga.It is the earliest commercial 

building in Devonport Road. 

Amenity 

Education 


The parapet was removed several years ago.The original timber windows at the upper level have been 

replaced with aluminium windows. Shopfronts have been periodically modified, but the stonelook concrete 

block columns which extend at each side and either side of the central entrance remain intact, although 

painted in different colour schemes. There is minor crack to the cornice and paintwork requires cleaning, 

but the building appears genearlly sound. 


"Arcade a witness to 67 years of change", Bay of Plenty Times 2 June 1989; 

The Life and Times of James Chapman Taylor, pade 193 , information on Miracle Blocks and concrete 

block making machinery. 


insert photo 

The Royal Arcade c 1926. Image 991141 Tauranga Library. 

PREPARED BY: 


FOR:



2007 

PHOTOGRAPHED:

tauranga cbd heritage study draft record form - Tauranga City Council

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