Devonport Building, 1928- (Place)

SummaryDevonport Buildings were likely erected about 1928 for George Herbert Bell (1872-1961), a local land agent. Architect and builder unknown. Bell and Colin Campbell Norris, had leased the Devonport Road/Strand corner from the Borough of Tauranga since 1910 and had, by July 1911, built a large two-storey commercial block, the largest business premises in Tauranga since 1881.

In 1926 the Borough Council subdivided the remaining land between Devonport Road and The Strand. Bell leased the present site in 1927. A timber building on the section was replaced by the current structure by about 1928. The Devonport Drapery Co. was advertising from Devonport Buildings by 1929.

The plastered brick building shows a mix of stripped classical and Spanish Mission features. The façade has a central stepped detail with terracotta roof tiles to either side. Upper windows are ornamented: triangular pediments to the centre pair, semi-circular pediments with floral motifs to the outer pair. A plain cornice carries raised lettering, “Devonport Buildings,” flanked by lion heads. The left half was pulled down in 2023 to create room for the new Craigs Investment Partners House.

Photographs

Devonport Buildings in 2016

Triangle buidling c, 1960

24 Devonport Road (Devonport Building)

Photographed in 2016 by Rodney Giddens.

Usage

Kaitiakitanga StatementWe ask that, in addition to normal copyright and privacy considerations, users of our heritage resources uphold the mana and dignity of the people, communities and places depicted within.CopyrightTe Ao Mārama - Tauranga City LibrariesLicenseCC BY 4.0AcknowledgementTe Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries, Devonport Building, 1928- (Place)

Known Date/s

Date Builtc. 1928

Location

Location24 Devonport Road, Tauranga

Relates To

Start here:Devonport Road, Tauranga (Place)

Admin

AuthorTe Ao Mārama - Tauranga City LibrariesType of ContributionLibrary authorityTaxonomyStories | Places

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Devonport Building, 1928- (Place)