Taranaki Club (1898/1906)

This building, in its original single-storey form, was the first permanent premises of the Taranaki Club.

It was built by R.Coleman in 1898 and the Taranaki Club first chose a design by the Auckland architects, Fripp & Goldsbro. However, after calling for tenders and finding the cost prohibitive, the club turned to local architect James Sanderson (Taranaki Herald 25 August 1898 and ARC2003-449), who was also responsible adding an extra storey in 1906. 

According to the 1995 NPDC CBD Heritage Study its architectural interest is as a "substantial timber building with a relatively unmodified exterior. Impressive in scale and form, although this is somewhat reduced by proximity to the Hookers Building".

The Taranaki Club moved to new premises on the corner of Queen & St Aubyn Streets in 1922. Apparently this building was then used as sample rooms and even a cabaret in the 1930s.

The R.S.A. moved into the building after World War II. In October 1990 the building was sold for $175,000 to the New Life Christian Centre. In January 1991 the R.S.A. moved to their new clubrooms in the Te Ara Building in Devon Street East.

It is now home to the City Life Church (formerly New Life City Church).