Harley's Building, 31 Devonport Road

Date2015Reference NumberPhoto 15-253DescriptionIn 2015 retiree Rodney Giddens undertook to provide a photographic record of shop fronts from the roadside of Tauranga's CBD. Photograph of Devonport Road shopfront number circa 42. Various signs can be made out, including “Hardley's Building”, “Indelible”, and “Just Jeans”.

Hardleys building at 31 Devonport Road 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 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 significant buildings in the Bay of Plenty region in the period. 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 appearance 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 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. the retail premises on ground floor all empty available to lease in 2021.FormatDigitalPhotographer/CreatorGiddens, RodneySourcesTauranga CBD Heritage Study Draft Form Last edited by: Shirley Arabin

visual check from street 2021 Last edited by: Shirley Arabin

Location

Location31 Devonport road, Tauranga (New Zealand)Latitude/Longitude^[1]

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RoomDigital storage

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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 15-253

Relates To

Part of Photograph SeriesDevonport Road, TaurangaOther Item(s)Hardley’s Building, 1935- (Place)

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Harley's Building, 31 Devonport Road

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