This building on the corner of Devon Street East and Liardet Street was built in 1972 for the Temperance & General Mutual Life Assurance Society. It was commonly known as the T & G Building. The architects were Stephenson & Turner (Wellington) and the consulting engineers were Brickell, Moss, Rankine & Hill. The contractors were the New Plymouth company, Brough Construction Ltd.
A four-faced clock erected on top of the building quickly became a New Plymouth landmark, visible from many parts of the city. In 1992 it was decided to dismantle and remove the clock which had long-since ceased to work. It was replaced by four panels displaying the new name of the building, Devon Centre.
Centrepoint Holdings Ltd bought the building in 1991 from then owners, National Mutual. A company spokesperson said at the time, "The company's name derived from the position of the building at what used to be the centre point of New Plymouth - we hope it will be again."
More recently an apartment was built on top of the building.
The Govett Building was demolished to make way for this new building.
Town section 912, Taranaki Land Deed Index I1 Page 489 and I13 Page 185.
Taranaki DP10107 Sheet 1 Town Section 912 (1969), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)
Related documents:
Start Next Month On T & G Block (Taranaki Herald 19 December 1970)
New Town Clock (Taranaki Photo News #194 2 June 1972)
Topping off ceremony (Taranaki Photo News #193 5 May 1972)
Landmark clock makes way for sign (Daily News 5 September 1992)
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