A two-storeyed reinforced concrete building, a typical commercial building of the 1920s. While the upper-level facade has remained unaltered, shops on the ground floor have been seen a number of changes.
A building permit was issued on 5 September 1923 for the construction of commercial premises on this site, Town Section 654. The applicant was Daniel Barry (most likely Daniel J.Barry, a retired farmer) and the builder was Coleman & Sons. The estimated cost of construction was £3,400.
For many years it was known as the Barry's Building. Plans for the original building are held in N.P.D.C. building files. The architects were the prominent firm Messenger, Griffiths & Taylor, who called for tenders for construction of the building in late July 1923. The Taranaki Daily News announced in August 1923 that Coleman & Sons were successful with their tender and work was to begin immediately.
It appears the building was complete by December when Hunter and Sons Ltd. advised they would be opening on 3 December in 'Barry's New Building'.
An advertisement in 1971 shows the building was known as "Building 114". A number of businesses occupying the building have small advertisements below the image of the building.
Chequers Tearooms were one of the original tenants, they finally gave up their lease in 1967.
Related items:
Town Section 654, Taranaki Land Deed Index I3 page 300 and I12 Page 507. (Archives New Zealand)
Taranaki DP2793 Sheet 1 (1910), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)
Taranaki DP4998 Sheet 1 (1922), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)
Taranaki (Lot 2) DP6208 Sheet 1 (1945), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)
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