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.
Ground floor retail outlets in 2011 included; Marinovich's Seafood Restaurant and Cafe, Bookstop Gallery, Kingsway Menswear, Hikoi, Mainly Magazines and Lotto, Coinsave.
In 2023 Marinovich's closed and was replaced by the Hi-Fri, while the Bookstop Gallery, Kingsway and Mainly Magazines are all still trading. The other retail outlets have closed.
Multiple commercial tenants occupy the upper floors.
Related documents:
King's Building fetches $1.2 million (Taranaki Herald 22 March 1986)
Trendy Lifestyle (Daily News 26 September 1995)
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