24 Devonport Road (Devonport Building)

Date16 September 2015Reference NumberPhoto 15-220DescriptionIn 2015 retiree Rodney Giddens undertook to provide a photographic record of shop fronts with historic value from the roadside of Tauranga's CBD. Photograph of Devonport Road number 24. The front signage is undergoing alterations. Various signs can be made out, including “Devonport Buildings” and “Sushi”.

It is likely that Devonport 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 two-story 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. 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". Designer and builder unknown.

In 2021 the art deco design of the facade remains the same. The tenants on the ground floor are Care Squared and the Heartland Bank. East side of road and first building south of the major demolition of the Westpac Building.FormatDigitalPhotographer/CreatorGiddens, RodneySourcesTauranga CBD Heritage Study Draft Record Form Last edited by: Shirley Arabin

visual check from street 2021 Last edited by: Shirley Arabin

Location

Map Address20, Devonport Road, Tauranga, 3110, New ZealandLocationDevonport road, Tauranga (New Zealand)Latitude/Longitude^[1]

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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.Cultural/Ethical StatusNoaRestrictionsNo cultural/ethical restrictions apply. However, the copyright holder has assigned a Creative Commons license. CopyrightGiddens, RodneyCopyright Holder Contact Detailsemail: candr1981@gmail.comLicenseCC BY-NC 4.0AcknowledgementTe Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries Photo 15-220

Relates To

Part of Photograph SeriesDevonport Road, Tauranga: Rodney Giddens Tauranga CBD and Mount Maunganui SeriesOther Item(s)Devonport Building, 1928- (Place)

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24 Devonport Road (Devonport Building)

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