This two-storey timber building on the corner of Devon Street East and Gover Streets started life as the Red House Hotel in 1865; although the present building was constructed in 1900, with the Gover street addition completed in 1938.
It was originally a small timber building to which numerous alterations and additions have been made over the years. According to the New Plymouth CBD Heritage Study the Star Rugby Club originated here and practices were held in the hotel grounds.
In 1900, the original building was demolished, and the present building constructed - T. B. Jacobsen was the architect. The original balcony has since been demolished and the original wooden sash windows on the top floor have been replaced with aluminium windows.
Taranaki Herald, 25 January 1900
The building now also incorporates the two-story wooden building to the east of the original hotel on Devon Street - this was originally constructed for Arthur Lealand in 1900-1901 as a bakery shop.
Adam Lile bought the hotel from Edwin Whittle in 1930 and in 1937 the name changed to the State Hotel. Soon after this purchase the hotel was extended along Gover Street. A permit was granted by the Borough Council to Mr A. Lile of the State Hotel on 2 August 1938 for the construction of additions on Town Section 1438, Devon and Gover Streets - Boon Bros were the builders, and the estimated construction cost was £4000. Lile died in 1954 and his son took over running the hotel.
Circa 1901 view taken soon after completion. Lealand's Bakery Shop is still under construction at the left of the image. Puke Ariki Collection.
Lion Breweries carried out major refurbishment work in 1979/80 and established a Cobb & Co. restaurant on the ground floor. More recently it has been known as "Burton's Bar" and "Breakers Restaurant".
The building was renovated by Craig Macfarlane and Karyn Grant in 2012 and reopened as a fully licensed cafe branded, "Joe's Garage", on the 26th of June 2012.
An Irish themed bar, "The Black Harp", opened in the back section of the State Hotel on Gover Street in July 2013.
In 2014 the upstairs level of the hotel was extensively renovated by the new owners, the Ekdahl family. It now features 15 bedrooms, all completely renovated, and a guest lounge.
In 2021 the back section of the hotel on Gover Street opened as the State Bistro and the section next to Joe's Garage on Devon Street opened as State Pasta and State Gelato. These businesses closed in 2022/23.
Documents
Red House Hotel suffered many vicissitudes by Fred Butler, Taranaki Daily News 27 November 1954
State Hotel, Pohutukawa now doomed by Fred Butler, Taranaki Daily News 19 March 1955
Hotels, then and now, Photo News 1967
Top Cobb and Co restaurant, Sunday Express 4 December 1983
From Red House to State Hotel, Sunday Express 4 December 1983
Changing times mean end in sight for family restaurant, Taranaki Daily News 19 July 1996
Sprinkler saves 30 lives, Taranaki Daily News 25 March 2008
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