Landmark House
Historic building in Auckland, New Zealand
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Landmark House is a neo-Gothic building located at 187–189 Queen Street in Auckland, New Zealand.[1] It was originally designed for the Auckland Electrical Power Board (AEPB) and constructed between 1928 and 1930.[2] The architects responsible for the design were Alva Bartley and Thomas Edward Norman (Norman) Wade.[2][3]
| Landmark House | |
|---|---|
View from Queen Street | |
 Interactive map of the Landmark House area | |
General information | |
Architectural style | Art Deco, Neo-Gothic |
| Location | Auckland, New Zealand, 187–189 Queen Street |
| Coordinates | 36°50′54″S 174°45′55″E |
Completed | 6 March 1930 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Wade and A. M. Bartley |
| Designated | 3 March 1987 |
| Reference no. | 4470 |
History
The building was constructed in celebration of electricity superseding gas and coal as the predominant sources of energy in Auckland.[2] It was intentionally opened on the same day as the Department of Public Works opened Arapuni Dam.[2][4]
At the time of its construction, it was one of the tallest buildings in Auckland.[2] Built in a bold and modern style, it was also the first building in Auckland to be floodlit[2] and was proclaimed to have one of the fastest elevators in the country.[2]
The building was originally eight stories high with a ninth floor added in 1933.[2][3]
AEPB vacated the building in 1968, taking with them the panelled boardroom to their new headquarters in Nuffield Street, Newmarket.[2] The interior of the building was substantially altered during the 1980s to work with the surrounding buildings.[2] It was renovated again in 2000.[2][4] Some original features of the lobby have been retained.[2][5]