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Star Hotel, Tauranga, 1881-1985 (Place)
SummaryThe Star Hotel was an early Tauranga establishment which opened for business on 12 August 1881.
Developed by contractor Thomas Wrigley and architect A.W. Burrows, it was located on the corner of Spring Street and Devonport Road. The Star Hotel had its own water supply, and was the first property in Tauranga to have gas lighting installed.
October 1919 the building was considerably damaged by a fire and required significant renovations.
Remained in operation until 1985, when the building was demolished to make way for the Mid City Mall shopping complex.
Main BodySourcesBay of Plenty Times. (1881, April 14). Improvements in Tauranga: The Star Hotel. p. 2Bay of Plenty Times. (1881, August 13). The Star Hotel. p. 2Bay of Plenty Times. (1881, September 30). The completion of the iron balcony. p. 2.Bay of Plenty Times. (1883, May 15). Transfer of licence.Bay of Plenty Times. (1885, December 5). G.B. Howard of Star.Bay of Plenty Times. (1885, December 14). Application for transfer of licence.Bay of Plenty Times. (1886, November 11). Star Hotel transfer of licence.Bay of Plenty Times. (1888, February 27). Mr and Mrs Hill of the Star Hotel.Bay of Plenty Times. (1908, July 22). J. Hogg has disposed of his interest in the Star Hotel.Bay of Plenty Times. (1919, October 14). Fire at Star Hotel: Excellent work by Brigade. p. 2.Bay of Plenty Times. (1919, November 21). Local and General. p. 2.Bay of Plenty Times. (1936, November 28) A page from the past. Tauranga 50 years ago. p. 2Bellamy, A. C. (1982). Tauranga 1882 - 1982. Tauranga City Council.
Developed by contractor Thomas Wrigley and architect A.W. Burrows, it was located on the corner of Spring Street and Devonport Road. The Star Hotel had its own water supply, and was the first property in Tauranga to have gas lighting installed.
October 1919 the building was considerably damaged by a fire and required significant renovations.
Remained in operation until 1985, when the building was demolished to make way for the Mid City Mall shopping complex.
Main BodyProprietors
- Mr. W.H. Bennet, who had previously been the proprietor of the Tauranga Hotel.
- Transfer of licence from G.B.H. to Thomas Turnbull. Howard to Whangārei, May 1883.
- Transfer of licence from George Bosswell Howard to Antonio Martin, December 1885.
- Transfer of licence from Antonio Martin to John William Clarebrough, November 1886.
- Mr and Mrs Hill to leave Tauranga early next month, Mr Turnbull to carry on management of the Star Hotel, February 1888.
- J. Hogg disposed of his interest to Mr G. McArthur, July 1908.
Other notes:
- For many years the hotel served as the starting point for The Hunt.
- The iron balcony was added in September 1881.
SourcesBay of Plenty Times. (1881, April 14). Improvements in Tauranga: The Star Hotel. p. 2Bay of Plenty Times. (1881, August 13). The Star Hotel. p. 2Bay of Plenty Times. (1881, September 30). The completion of the iron balcony. p. 2.Bay of Plenty Times. (1883, May 15). Transfer of licence.Bay of Plenty Times. (1885, December 5). G.B. Howard of Star.Bay of Plenty Times. (1885, December 14). Application for transfer of licence.Bay of Plenty Times. (1886, November 11). Star Hotel transfer of licence.Bay of Plenty Times. (1888, February 27). Mr and Mrs Hill of the Star Hotel.Bay of Plenty Times. (1908, July 22). J. Hogg has disposed of his interest in the Star Hotel.Bay of Plenty Times. (1919, October 14). Fire at Star Hotel: Excellent work by Brigade. p. 2.Bay of Plenty Times. (1919, November 21). Local and General. p. 2.Bay of Plenty Times. (1936, November 28) A page from the past. Tauranga 50 years ago. p. 2Bellamy, A. C. (1982). Tauranga 1882 - 1982. Tauranga City Council.Photographs
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CopyrightTe Ao Mārama - Tauranga City LibrariesKnown Date/s
Date Established12 August 1881Date Demolished1985
Date Demolished1985Location
Map Address1, Devonport Road, Tauranga, 3110, New ZealandLocationCorner of Devonport Road and Spring Street, Tauranga, New ZealandLatitude/Longitude[1]
LocationCorner of Devonport Road and Spring Street, Tauranga, New ZealandLatitude/Longitude[1] Admin
AuthorTe Ao Mārama - Tauranga City LibrariesType of ContributionLibrary authorityTaxonomyStories | Organisations
Type of ContributionLibrary authorityTaxonomyStories | Organisationsloading google map....
Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries, Star Hotel, Tauranga, 1881-1985 (Place). Pae Korokī, accessed 13/04/2026, https://paekoroki.tauranga.govt.nz/nodes/view/98605
