Registration Type

Historic Place Category 1

 

Register Number

622

 

Date Registered

27-Jul-1988

 

Legal Description

Lot 1 DP 361222 (CT 277786), North Auckland Land District

 

Extent of Registration

Extent includes the land described as Lot 1 DP 361222 (CT 277786), North Auckland Land District, and the building known as the Northern Steamship Company Building thereon, and its fittings and fixtures.

 

City/District Council

Auckland Council (Auckland City Council)

 

Region

Auckland Region

 

Summary

Erected by the Northern Steamship Company in 1898, this harbourside structure is an important reminder of Auckland's maritime past, and the role of shipping in the economic and social development of the region. Situated in a prime position between the wharves and the 1880s railway station, the building was constructed as offices for the Northern Company after it had become one of the leading inland-shipping businesses in northern New Zealand. The firm had been founded in Auckland in 1881 as an amalgamation of several smaller concerns, and ran freight and passenger services in the upper half of the North Island. Along with the Holm Shipping Company, it was one of only two major independent shipping companies in New Zealand by the early twentieth century, and later extended its services throughout the country before ceasing to trade in 1974.

The building was originally two storeys, having an ornate facade on its seaward side emblazoned with the company name. Like the nearby Colonial Sugar Refining Company Building (see 'Wharf Police Building'), it contained offices and storage, the latter being used for freight in transit. The storage area was reached through a cart passage towards one side of the building, while the remainder of the facade was symmetrical. Constructed of brick, the building was reorganised as business fortunes altered. An extra storey was added in the prosperous 1920s, using a similar style, while internal alterations were made as offices were let during the company's post-war decline. Following the winding up of the Northern Company in the 1970s, the interior was largely gutted and modifications were made to the western wall, which required strengthening after an adjacent building was demolished.

The Northern Steamship Company Building is one of the few nineteenth-century wharfside structures to survive in central Auckland, and reflects the city's role as a major port at the end of the colonial period. It is of national and regional importance for its links with the Northern Steamship Company, which was instrumental in the kauri gum, timber, farming and early tourism industries, and also provided social contact between coastal communities. The building is a visible reminder of the time when the wharfside area was a hub of maritime activity and makes a significant contribution to the historical fabric and appearance of the waterfront. Its value is enhanced by its proximity to related historical buildings, particularly the adjacent Union Fish Company building, which was used to repair Northern Company vessels, and is an important part of the Quay Street Historic Area.

 

Historical Significance

The building housed the Northern Steamship Company which played an important part in Auckland and Northland development in its reliance on shipping as a major means of transportation and communication.

Auckland is dominated by its waterfront in several ways. Most of Auckland is not more than a few kilometres from the sea, and from the first days of European settlement until the development of efficient road and rail services later this century, the logical way of transport was by sea. Coastal trade was extensive and vital to the survival of Auckland and other settlements.

In 1881 the Northern Steamship Co. was founded to become the first major steamship company to operate in Auckland waters. The company absorbed most of the individual ship-owners already operating.

By 1898 the present building was opened in Quay Street as a testament to the company's prosperity.

For over 50 years it served as a base for a coastal trade that centred around the Auckland province.

Regular trips serviced the Coromandel peninsula, Tauranga, Bay of Islands and further north, the Hokianga, Great Barrier, New Plymouth, Wanganui, Raglan, and every other small coastal port in these areas.

The steamship provided reliable transport for people, those on business, looking for work and those on everyday affairs. Sightseeing cruises and day trips were made to Auckland beaches, Kawau and further afield.

Freight comprised of supplies to people in isolated communities and the products of various industries, Kauri gum and timber, flax and farming.

After 1925 the company's business began to be undercut by road links and rail services. Passenger services declined considerably, and with the onset of the depression in the 1930s cargo carrying also declined. The company began diverging in their interests and the last ship voyage was made in 1974. Shortly afterward the Harbour Board purchased the building and it has been leased out to various businesses.

 

Physical Significance

ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The Northern Steamship Company offices show the importance shipping once held in the Auckland region. The company was actively seeking to replace 'old fashioned' steamers with new technology. Their new offices included advancements such as a telephone room. The Quay Street façade bore the Company logo and name and the central pediment included a flagpole with the company flag. The choice of site was important as it was in what was then the centre of Auckland's transport area.

TOWNSCAPE/LANDMARK SIGNIFICANCE:

This building forms an important part of the row of warehouses which give character to Quay Street. It contributes considerably, to the dockside atmosphere of the area.

 

Associated Registrations

• Ferry Building
• Union Fish Company Building
• Wharf Police Building
• Quay Street Historic Area

 

Former Use

• Retail and Commercial - Office building/Offices
• Retail and Commercial - Shop
• Retail and Commercial - Warehouse/storage area

Themes

• Places to Visit

 

Construction Professionals

• Wilson, Arthur - Architect

 

Notable Features

The ground floor still has the original decorated glass with the companies initials.

Registration covers the building, its fixtures and finishes. It also includes recent modifications. The building lies on nineteenth-century reclaimed land in Commercial Bay, next to the original Britomart Point and close to the site of the Gore Street wharf.

 

Construction Dates

• Other: 1879 (circa) - 1885 (circa)
• Original Construction: 1898 (circa) - 1899 (circa)
• Addition: 1921
• Modification: 1946 (circa)
• Modification: 1992 (circa)

 

Construction Details

The Northern Steamship Building is constraucted of brick piers and English Bond infill.

The base course and ground floor lintels are stone.

The dressing and plaster.

 

Information Sources

• Mary Cooper and Noni Boyd, 'The Northern Steamship Company Ltd.[Building], 22-24 Quay Street, Auckland', NZHPT Buildings Classification Committee Report, Wellington, 1988 (held by NZHPT, Auckland)
• Gavin McLean, Captain's Log: New Zealand's Maritime History, Auckland, 2001,pp.115-117.
• New Zealand Herald,70th Anniversary 1933/ Sept 26 1900
• Conservation Plan,Denys Oldham, 'The Northern Steamship Company Building, 22-24 Quay Street, Auckland: Conservation Report', KRTA Ltd., Auckland, 1992
• Salmond Architects, 'Britomart Heritage Assessment: An Analysis of Heritage Values Relating to Existing Buildings in the Britomart Development Project', Auckland, 1995 (held by NZHPT, Auckland)

 

Other Information

This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. This report includes the text from the original Building Classification Committee report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration.

 

Report Written By

Martin Jones

 

Report Completed

15-Aug-2001