Kurta's Buildings, 66 Devon Street West (1924)

This two-storey masonry bulding is located on the north side of Devon Street West, in the block between Egmont and Brougham Streets.

New Plymouth District Council building files have an undated sketch of the building drawn by T.H. Bates. The plan shows the name, "Kurta's Buildings", on the facade, just above the windows on the upper level. The plans were commissioned by local businessman and restaurateur, Jacob Kurta. The plan indicates Bates was still based in the King's Building at the time. This dates the design to pre-1926.

A building permit was issued to J. Kurta on 25 March 1924 for business premises in Devon Street. The builder was F.H. Grayling and the estimated cost £1,900. Although the register does not specify a section number, it is likely this was for the building above. 

Related items:

Town Section 646, Taranaki Land Deed Index I5 Page 249. (Archives New Zealand)

Taranaki (Lot 3) DP1691 (1901), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)

Jacob Kurta Obituary (Taranaki Herald 19 June 1965)