The Australian Mutual Provident Society's (AMP) building was designed by Frederick de Jersey Clere, Wellington, but its construction in 1916 was supervised by T. H. Bates, who was newly-arrived in New Plymouth. It is located on the north-western corner of Devon Street West and Egmont Street.
A building permit was issued by New Plymouth Borough Council in June 1916. The building was to cost £7,800 and the builder was Albert August Renner. The following month, on 22 July, many buildings on the block were destroyed by a fire that began in the Theatre Royal.
When first opened, the AMP Society and the State Fire Department occupied the ground floor, Messrs. Govett and Quilliam the first floor and the top floor by the Kia Ora Tearooms, run by Mrs Kirby.
On 18 September 1982, a fitness studio, 'Shape Up', opened on the first floor of the building above 'The Black Olive' restaurant. The well-known weightlifter Precious McKenzie was a special guest at the opening.
In 1993 Peggy Gordon's Celtic Bar was established by Bertie Burleigh on the ground floor. In November 2013 the bar celebrated 20 years of operation.
Peggy Gordon's was upgraded in 2016 and the downstairs bar became the Celtic Country Kitchen restaurant.
Related items:
Tender Accepted (Taranaki Daily News 10 April 1916)
The A.M.P.: New Building for New Plymouth (Taranaki Herald 26 August 1916)
Indonesian chef with flair for painting: Wilhelm Rappold (Taranaki Herald 29 Nov 1984)
Indonesian Dishes Worth Sampling (Taranaki Herald 3 April 1986)
Bar opens with a real party (Daily News 24 November 1993)
AMP Insurance Building Heritage Inventory Report (NPDC CBD Heritage Inventory, Chris Cochran, 1995)
Peggy's plaque takes pride of place (Taranaki Daily News 25 Nov 2013)
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