This pair of two-storied shops were constructed for William Henry Skinner in 1891 - William Francis Brooking was the architect, and E. Bullot the builder.
Town Section 664 had been owned by the Skinner family since at least the 1850s - with early settler Thomas Kingwell Skinner Senior the original recipient of the Crown Grant in 1856. Upon Thomas' death, the property appears to have passed to his wife, Prudence Skinner, in 1874. The portion of this section now occupied by 93 and 95 Devon Street West is noted as being unoccupied on DP296 surveyed in 1889, with Prudence and others (presumably her children), listed as the owners.
New Plymouth architect William Francis Brooking called for tenders for the construction of two shops and offices in Devon Street, in late September and early October 1891, with the Taranaki Herald reporting on 17 October 1891 that Mr E. Bullot's tender of £300 for the construction of shops for Mr W. H. Skinner was accepted.
The first occupier of the shop at 93 Devon Street West appears to be tailor, and Western Ward Borough Councillor, Abner King, who is listed as occupying the shop until the 1899 edition of Stone's Street Directory.
The first occupier of the shop at 95 Devon West appears to be printer, engraver and lithographer William Adam King, who is listed as occupying the shop until the 1895 edition of Stone's Street Directory.
The facades of both buildings were originally more elaborate, with that of 95 Devon Street West almost identical to the nearby Arizona Building (91 Devon Street West), also constructed for the Skinner family.
More recent renovations have greatly improved the streetscape value.
Related document:
Devon Street West South Side Streetscape (1995 NPDC CBD Heritage Report)
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