This prominent corner site has an interesting history. The original building on the section was built about 1856 for Mr R. Hughes, a boot and shoe dealer. It opened as the "Commercial Hotel" and, according to some reports, hosted theatrical productions and even acrobatic performances in tents behind the hotel. During the 1860s the building was used as a hospital for troops stationed on Marsland Hill.
A Mr Dare, of Nelson, later moved in and in an adjacent building set up a "billiard room". This was later used by the Rifle's Band as a band room. In October 1888 the Taranaki Herald reported that the old building, largely unoccupied for many years, would be demolished. The band room was demolished sometime later.
It's thought that the current building dates from the same time when a two-storey timber villa was built for Mr George Curtis. The eight-roomed residence was designed by the well-known architect, James Sanderson. The builders were Messrs. Hooker and Walker; the contract price was £378.00.
In 1930, under the direction of New Plymouth architect Frank Messenger, the house was extensively renovated for the then owner, Dr Ernest Walker. The house was both his home and surgery and after he retired, his son, Dr George Walker, did the same.
Tenants/owners in the 1980s include; Hales and Davies Real Estate, Abode Design and Build and the computer company, Powercorp.
In 1996 New Plymouth businessman Terry Parkes bought the building and in 2000 opened the Nice Hotel.
The building was noted in the 1995 NPDC CBD Heritage Inventory.
Related items:
Town Section 716, Taranaki Land Deed Index I1 page 307. (Archives New Zealand)
Taranaki DP2250 Sheet 1 (1905), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)
Taranaki (Lot 1) DP5072 Sheet 1 (1929), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)
Taranaki DP5531 Sheet 1 (1935), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)
Grand old city building returning to hotel past (Daily News 16 November 1999)
To the manor born (Daily News 15 April 2000)
Luxury sits well with informality (Daily News 1 September 2000)
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