Situated on a prominent corner site in the heart of the CBD this three-storied reinforced concrete building has been a city landmark since it was constructed.
Two years in the construction, it was completed in November 1927. It was built for Newton King Limited and named after the founder of the company, Newton King. The building permit was issued on 24 March 1926. The local firm Jones and Sandford were the contractors and the estimated cost was £53,000.
The Taranaki Daily News on 4 November 1927 described the building like this; "Architecturally it strikes a new note in building construction, not only in New Plymouth, but in New Zealand". Later, the reporter writes that, "The architectural design of the building is in the Spanish style, with Northern Italian detail treatment. This style is quite a new one for commercial buildings in New Zealand, and is usually to be seen in countries which enjoy a big proportion of sunshine. However, the architects decided that such a style with its attendant colour treatments would be suited to the New Plymouth climatic conditions. The result is a building which pleases the eye by its colourful harmony and refinement of detail."
Gummer and Ford, the Auckland firm of architects which designed the building, are described in the 1995 N.P.D.C. Heritage Study report as 'the pre-eminent architectural practice in New Zealand during the inter-war years.'
The building was repainted in 2010 in sympathetic colours which highlight the decorated panels and friezes.
Related items:
Town Section 648, Taranaki Land Deed Index I5 page 143, I5 page 144 and I1 page 313. (Archives New Zealand)
Taranaki DP1317 Sheet 1 (1899), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)
Taranaki DP1481 Sheet 1 (1899), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)
Taranaki DP4390 Sheet 1 (1923), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)
Building in progress: Structure in Devon Street: Three Storey's High (Taranaki Daily News 4 February 1926)
Trendy Lifestyle (Daily News 26 September 1995)
King's Building fetches $1.2 million (Taranaki Herald 22 March 1986)
Big birthday for distinctive building (Taranaki Daily News 28 November 2007)
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