Heritage listing on cards for 108-year-old city arcade, reports Su Ann Ong
Strolling down Queen St with its crowded side-streets and buildings of glass and steel, a solitary white building, with its Victorian architecture, quietly stands out.
The Strand Arcade, built in 1900, was once an upmarket shopping centre targeting the rich
and famous. It has since evolved to cater for everyday people, with shops selling trendy clothes, makeup and accessories, a cafe, pharmacy and even a backpackers' hostel.
Its narrow, tiled floor, old-fashioned lamps and de?cor of white, green and antique gold still remain.
Yet, what most people are unaware of is the building's historical significance - something the New Zealand
Historic Places Trust plans to change. The trust has nominated the site for registration as a Category I Historic Place, a status bestowed upon sites of special or outstanding historical or cultural heritage significance.
The trust's heritage adviser of registration, Martin Jones, says the arcade is one of the earliest shopping malls built in Auckland and should be preserved.
"It is a rare, living example of a shopping arcade built in the late Victorian-Edwardian era," he says.
The Aucklander popped into the arcade that links Queen and Elliot streets to see what the public thinks of the proposal.
Passerby Janice Lafferty says: "I think we should make it historical because I love this arcade.
"I've been coming here for years, but the shops have changed a bit."
Debbie Boult says it would be good to preserve it as there aren't enough historical buildings left in Auckland city.
"We do need to protect buildings like that," she says.
Chris Diogo says the building has potential, although it is visually polluted with objects such as the messy flags hanging in it.
"It would be interesting to have a sign about the history of the building." Meleane Mapa, a shopper, says the building looks a bit old, although it does bring back memories of historic times.
Tourist Greg Briggs says the building is similar to the Strand Arcade in Sydney, although the one in Sydney looks more upmarket.
"I'm not excited about it," says Phil Stewart. "There are not many shops in the arcade, but it has quite a nice structure."
The trust also proposes the Naval and Family Hotel on K Rd be considered for Category II status given to sites of historical or cultural heritage significance.
The public may send submissions to the trust until 4pm, October 14. For details, see www.historic.org.nz
