Exchange Chambers, 103 Devon Street West (1894-95)

This two-storey wooden building was built for Charles Thomas Mills (listed as a commission agent on the 1890 electoral roll) in 1895. 

Described as, "non-descript", by conservation architect Chris Cochrane in the 1995 New Plymouth CBD Heritage Inventory, the building was restored by owners Robyn and Graeme King in 1999.

Notable New Plymouth architect Frank Messenger designed the building and an ink and wash drawing by him is held at Puke Ariki (ARC 2009-154). The contractor was Mr R.N. Hooker, the bricklaying by Nathanial Hooker and Messrs. Okeys, Arnold and Earp were the painters.

This is probably the first commercial building designed by Frank Messenger after his arrival in New Plymouth. Tenders were called for by Messenger in November 1894 (Taranaki Herald 30 Nov 1894 p.3), and whilst he had designed several private residences earlier in 1894, no earlier commercial building is known. 

The design store and gallery, 'Kina', has occupied the building for a number of years.

Related items:

Town Section 663, Taranaki Land Deed Index I3 page 54 and I5 page 52. (Archives New Zealand)

Taranaki (Lot 3) DP782 Sheet 1 (1894), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)

Devon Street West South Side Streetscape (NPDC CBD Heritage Study, 1995)