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© Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga 2026.
 
Northern Club Building

19 Princes Street, Kitchener Street and Bankside Street, AUCKLAND

Private

Historic Place Category 1

List No. 663

Quick links:
List GalleryLocationDetails
Erected in 1866-7, the Northern Club Building has a long history of association with the Auckland's social elite. It was constructed to be the largest hotel in the colonial city, but was instead first employed as high-status government offices before becoming a gentlemen's club two years later. Originally designed by James Wrigley, the three-storeyed building was situated in a prestigious part of the settlement, close to the former Government House and provincial council chambers. It was erected in a newly-fashionable Italianate style, the brick structure being rendered externally to appear masonry-built. The new building replaced a timber structure erected in the 1840s known as the Royal Hotel, which had itself been one of the grandest establishments in town. Initial tenants of the new premises included the Provincial Government, which rented rooms as offices, and the Auckland Institute and Museum, while part of the first floor was a British army officers' mess used by soldiers from the nearby Albert Barracks.

The Northern Club purchased the building in 1869, the club having been formed earlier in the year. Gentlemen's clubs developed in nineteenth-century Britain, enabling social and business networks to be maintained. Early members of the club included the future Prime Minister, Julius Vogel (1835-1899), and prominent businessmen, such as Thomas Russell (1830-1904) and David Nathan (1816-1886). Governors of the colony were among those invited as guests, reinforcing the exclusivity of the organisation. The club refurbished the interior, and in the process reinforced social divisions through the building's layout. Service rooms for employees were located in the basement and members' reception rooms on the ground floor, while personal servants were not allowed in the upper chambers, although exceptions were made for governors. Expansion to the facilities generally occurred during periods of economic boom. A new dining room and fifteen bedrooms were constructed at the rear of the building in 1883-1884, and accommodation for residential staff was added in the 1920s. Exclusively male in its membership for over 120 years, facilities for women were introduced only gradually. The first female member was admitted in 1990, shortly after the earliest woman after-dinner speaker, the Minister of Finance Ruth Richardson, who addressed the club in 1989.

The Northern Club Building is significant as the oldest surviving gentlemen's club in Auckland, and one of the city's earliest major surviving structures of 'commercial Italianate' design. It has strong links to early colonial institutions, such as the provincial government and British army, as well as prominent individuals in New Zealand history. It is representative of important aspects of colonial society, such as all-male associations and business networks. It demonstrates the implanting and nurturing of traditions introduced from Britain, particularly among the social elite. The building's well-preserved interiors yield information about nineteenth- and twentieth-century life in New Zealand, from the use of decor to attitudes about gender and class. The building is particularly significant for its association with other early colonial structures in the area, such as the Albert Barracks Wall and former Government House. It is the earliest building in the historic Princes Street streetscape, with significant landmark qualities that include its distinctive cover of Virginia Creeper, planted in 1927.
Northern Club Building, Auckland. Image courtesy of www.flickr.com | William Fairs | 13/11/2016 | William Fairs
Northern Club Building, Auckland. CC BY 2.0 Image courtesy of www.flickr.com | 14/10/2008 | Al and Marie
Northern Club Building, Auckland. CC BY-SA 3.0 Image courtesy of commons.wikimedia.org | Team Frosick | 30/10/2007 | Team Frosick - Wikimedia Commons
Northern Club Building, Auckland. January c.1920's. Image courtesy of ‘Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries Record ID 1-W1865 | Henry Winkelmann | No Known Copyright Restrictions
Northern Club Building, Auckland. Image courtesy of www.flickr.com | William Fairs | 13/11/2016 | William Fairs
Northern Club Building, Auckland. CC BY 2.0 Image courtesy of www.flickr.com | 14/10/2008 | Al and Marie
Northern Club Building, Auckland. CC BY-SA 3.0 Image courtesy of commons.wikimedia.org | Team Frosick | 30/10/2007 | Team Frosick - Wikimedia Commons
Northern Club Building, Auckland. January c.1920's. Image courtesy of ‘Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries Record ID 1-W1865 | Henry Winkelmann | No Known Copyright Restrictions

List Entry Information

Overview

Status
Listed

List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 1

Access
Private/No Public Access

List Number
663

Date Entered
24th March 1988

Date of Effect
24th March 1988

City/District Council
Auckland Council

Region
Auckland Council

Legal description

Lot 1 DP 64556 (RT NA20B/782), North Auckland Land District

Detailed List Entry
Significance

Historic Significance

Historical Significance or Value In August 1869, nineteen men, mainly professionals, met and agreed to form a club, committing themselves in writing to a contribution to the cost of purchasing the building for the purpose of club headquarters. The members were 'gentlemen residing within 30 metres of the clubhouse', although there were provisions made for extra-provincial members to be admitted by nomination and voting. There was an elected President and Vice-President, and the Club was managed by a committee. The annual subscription for ordinary members was twelve guineas. The committee, on behalf of its members, purchased the large brick, almost new building in Princes Street. This building had been built in 1867 on land which had previously held a one-storeyed wooded building with wide verandahs, known as the Royal Hotel. The Royal Hotel had been erected in the 1840s by Samuel Wood. When Wood went bankrupt the hotel was taken over by Benjamin Lewis, who conveyed the property to his daughters in 1851. It was one of the daughters, Mrs Charles Ewen, who decided in 1866 to have the rather dingy looking Royal Hotel demolished, and a new hotel built in its place. Statements at the time described the new building as a commodious and handsome edifice, and the largest hotel in the city. At the time of purchase by the Northern Club, the building was in the occupation of the imperial government. Edward Rumsey, architect, was employed to carry out the alterations thought necessary. The whole of the interior was renovated and alterations were made with the view of providing suitable accommodation. Several apartments on the second storey were thrown into one with the object of forming a billiard room. Gas, water, and bells were installed. The furniture was bought from Melbourne and the building set up as a gentlemen's club. Since its establishment in 1870, the Northern Club has accommodated many distinguished guests, and in this sense its historical significance is in no small measure due to its associations with these people. Anthony Trollope was an early comer, while the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York (later King George V and Queen Mary) stayed there in 1901. Other guests have included the famous English historian, J A Froude. From its point of view of its position in the social history of Auckland therefore, the Northern Club stands as a tangible physical link between past and present, both in terms of the people who stayed in the building, and in terms of its architectural form which has enduring value to the present day.

Physical Significance

ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE: In terms of the well mannered style of the building and the careful and articulated use of Italian Renaissance architectural themes, the building represents an extremely fine interpretation of European Italianate design. The original building was designed by James Wrigley, and as such it is a credit to his skill in interpreting in brick and cement a design which would traditionally be executed in stone. TOWNSCAPE/LAMDMARK SIGNIFICANCE: From the time it was built the Northern Club has occupied a prominent position in lower Princes Street. As the section it occupies it forms part of the Waterloo Quadrant, the Club stands in a precinctual relationship with other historic buildings nearby an d helps to define their historic character, these being the Old Government House, the former Jewish Synagogue and Princes Street houses.

Construction Professional

Name

Rumsey, Edward

Type

Architect

Biography

Rumsey was an English born architect who had studied under the High Victorian Gothic Revivalist Sir George Gilbert Scott. Rumsey came to New Zealand to supervise the Gothic Revival styled Supreme Court Building, Auckland (1865) which he had designed. He remained in New Zealand for several years, practising in both Auckland and Dunedin. He worked on St Andrew's Anglican Church, Epsom (1867), though the Reverend John Kinder was responsible for the design of this building, and also on the Church of St Peter in the Forest, Bombay (1869) and the much larger St Luke's Church, Oamaru (1865). The design of the Oriental Hotel, Dunedin (1863), has been attributed to him.

Name

Wood, Reader Gilson

Type

Architect

Biography

Reader Gilson Wood (1821-1895) was born in England and his education in England included study under William Flint, architect and surveyor. Wood arrived in New Zealand in 1844 and from May 1846 shared accommodation with Frederick Thatcher assisting in his work for St John's College including the supervision of the Chapel (1847). Wood remained at St John's for a short time and then took a government appointment. The Selwynian influence can be seen in his later works such as the Melanesian Mission at Mission Bay, Auckland (1859). Wood carried out a large number of commissions, but displayed little originality. He had a notable career, however, which included service as a prominent local government official (1848-61) and as a member of the House of Representatives for Parnell (1861-65 and 1870-78) and for Waitemata, (1879-81). He retired from politics in 1881, and became Chairman of the Auckland Gas Company and a trustee of the Auckland Savings Bank.

Name

Avery, William

Type

Builder

Biography

No biography is currently available for this construction professional

Name

Wrigley, James (1838 - 1882)

Type

Architect

Biography

James Wrigley (1837?-1882) was born in Huddersfield, England. He served his articles with the firm of Pritchett and Sons of York, Huddersfield and Darlington, said to have been the leading firm in the North of England. After arriving in Auckland in 1859, he is reported to have erected many of the largest buildings in Auckland Province. Wrigley served for many years on the Auckland City Council, and was chairman of the Remuera and Newmarket Highway Board on several occasions. He was also the last elected member of the Provincial Council in New Zealand, although he did not take up his seat due to the Council’s subsequent abolition. Structures built to Wrigley’s design include St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Howick (1872), Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Waiuku (1873) and the Roman Catholic Church of St Peter and St Paul, Puhoi (1881). He is also believed to have designed the Wesleyan Chapel in Pitt Street (c.1860) and the Anglican Church of St Mathias, Panmure (1866). An elite merchant’s house at 29 Princes Street known as Hamurana (1876) is his work, as is the original portion of Carrington Hospital (1865) and substantial additions to the Northern Club in 1870. Wrigley's work in North Auckland included additions to the Waiwera Hotel (1880). He was also responsible for several cottages in Dargaville. Source: Registration Report for D. Graham and Company's Building (Former), May 2014

Name

Mahoney, Edward

Type

Architect

Biography

Edward Mahoney (1824-1895) Edward Mahoney emigrated from Cork, Ireland with his wife Margaret and three children. The Mahoneys arrived in Auckland in 1856 where Edward set up as a building and timber merchant. In 1876 he established the architectural practice that later became Edward Mahoney & Sons, which for over thirty years designed and supervised construction of many Catholic buildings as well as churches for other denominations. The Church of St John the Baptist, Parnell (1861) and St Mary's Convent Chapel (1866) are two of the earliest surviving ecclesiastical buildings designed by Edward Mahoney and reflect the gradual evolution from simple Gothic Revival structures to more ambitious and creative use of the Gothic form such as may be seen in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Khyber Pass (1881); and St Patrick's Cathedral, the latter completed in 1901. Edward Mahoney was a founding member of the Auckland Institute of Architects, attending the first meeting in December 1880 where he was appointed honorary treasurer. He became president of the Institute in 1883. His sons Thomas (1855?-1923) and Robert (1862-1895) joined him in practice in 1876 and the early 1880s respectively. Upon Edward's retirement in 1885, Thomas and Robert carried on the practice. After Robert's death in 1895, Thomas changed the firm's name to E. Mahoney & Son. The Mahoneys designed a wide variety of buildings including the Auckland Customhouse, hotels, commercial buildings and houses, their best-known surviving domestic buildings being the Pah, at Hillsborough (1877) and the Dilworth Terrace Houses, Parnell (1899). Their ecclesiastical buildings included St Mary's Church of the Assumption, Onehunga (1888) and St Benedict's Church, Newton (1888). The firm of Edward Mahoney & Son continued to practice for a short period after Thomas Mahoney’s death in 1923, but was eventually dissolved in 1926. Source: NZHPT Registration Report for Bank of New Zealand (Former), Devonport (Register no. 4511).

Construction Details

Type

Other

Description

Possible pa site

Period

pre-1840

Start Year

1841

Finish Year

1866

Type

Other

Description

Site of Royal Hotel

Start Year

1866

Finish Year

1867

Type

Original Construction

Description

Construction of building, initialy known as the Imperial Hotel

Start Year

1869

Finish Year

1870

Type

Modification

Description

Internal alterations during conversion to Northern Club

Start Year

1883

Finish Year

1884

Type

Addition

Description

Extension at rear in similar style

Start Year

1897

Type

Addition

Description

Stone boundary wall and railings

Start Year

1904

Type

Addition

Description

Laundry, outer offices and stable (later demolished)

Start Year

1924

Finish Year

1925

Type

Addition

Description

Staff quarters added on Bankside Street frontage and building to north converted into staff flats

Start Year

1927

Type

Modification

Description

Planting of Virginia Creeper to cover the main facades

Start Year

1971

Type

Addition

Description

North extension on site of staff flats

Start Year

1975

Finish Year

1993

Type

Modification

Description

Demolition of 1924-1925 staff quarters on Bankside Street frontage

Start Year

1990

Finish Year

1993

Type

Modification

Description

Internal refurbishment

Construction Materials

Brick, with the facades plastered with cement in imitation of stone.

Notable Features

Registration covers the structure, its fixtures and finishes. It also includes recent modifications. The building lies on the site of an earlier hotel, and on or close to the site of a Maori pa - Te Reuroa. Some known remains, including a brick-lined well, survive as buried archaeological deposits. Special Features: The building is notable today for its Virginia creeper which has entirely covered the two street fronts, and which marks the change of seasons with spectacular changes of colour.

Physical Description

ARCHITECTURAL DESCRITPION (Style): An Italianate palazzo style building. The façades are evenly articulated by the horizontal bands of three cornices distinguished each of the three storeys of the building. The windows are decorated with segmented-head and triangular-headed dressings of simple design. The third (top) storey is capped by an entablature and parapet. The only break in the symmetry occurs in the entrance loggia placed on the ground storey, Princes Street side. MODIFICATIONS: There have been two major modifications in the history of this building, taking place in 1869 and 1883-84 respectively. At the time the Northern Club took over the building in 1869, the whole of the interior was renovated with provision made for increased accommodation and a large billiard room. The 1884 additions consisted of a new dining room and 15 bedrooms: these additions were tied in to the purchase of the property at the rear of the Club on the Bankside Street side. Subsequent alterations of the 1920s include new staff quarters and flats, designed by the firm M K and R F Draffin.

Reference

Completion Date

7th November 2001

Report Written By

Martin Jones

Information Sources

Couch, 1986

Jane Couch, 'Northern Club', unpublished research notes for NZHPT, Wellington, 1986 (held by NZHPT, Auckland)

Nelson, 1987

Wayne Nelson, 'Northern Club, cnr Princes Street and Kitchener Street, Auckland', NZHPT Buildings Classification Committee Report, Wellington, 1987 (held by NZHPT, Auckland)

Stacpoole, 1976

John Stacpoole, Colonial Architecture in New Zealand, Wellington, 1976

Stacpoole, 1994

John Stacpoole, The Northern Club 1869-1994, Auckland, 1994

Porter, 1983 (2)

Frances Porter (ed.), Historic Buildings of New Zealand: North Island (2nd edn.), Auckland, 1983

Conservation Plan

Conservation Plan

Report Written By

This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. This report includes the text from the original Building Classification Committee report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rarangi Korero identifies only the heritage values of the property concerned, and should not be construed as advice on the state of the property, or as a comment of its soundness or safety, including in regard to earthquake risk, safety in the event of fire, or insanitary conditions.

Further Information

Current Usages

Uses: Civic Facilities

Specific Usage: Club rooms/building

Former Usages

General Usage:: Accommodation

Specific Usage: Hotel

General Usage:: Civic Facilities

Specific Usage: Museum

Themes

Web Links

description:

url: http://www.northernclub.co.nz/Home_Page.php

Overview

Status

Listed

List Entry Status

Historic Place Category 1

Access

Private/No Public Access

List Number

663

Date Entered

24th March 1988

Date of Effect

24th March 1988

City/District Council

Auckland Council

Region

Auckland Council

Legal description

Lot 1 DP 64556 (RT NA20B/782), North Auckland Land District

Status

Listed

List Entry Status

Historic Place Category 1

Access

Private/No Public Access

List Number

663

Date Entered

24th March 1988

Date of Effect

24th March 1988

City/District Council

Auckland Council

Region

Auckland Council

Legal description

Lot 1 DP 64556 (RT NA20B/782), North Auckland Land District

Significance

Why is this place significant?

Historic Significance

Historical Significance or Value In August 1869, nineteen men, mainly professionals, met and agreed to form a club, committing themselves in writing to a contribution to the cost of purchasing the building for the purpose of club headquarters. The members were 'gentlemen residing within 30 metres of the clubhouse', although there were provisions made for extra-provincial members to be admitted by nomination and voting. There was an elected President and Vice-President, and the Club was managed by a committee. The annual subscription for ordinary members was twelve guineas. The committee, on behalf of its members, purchased the large brick, almost new building in Princes Street. This building had been built in 1867 on land which had previously held a one-storeyed wooded building with wide verandahs, known as the Royal Hotel. The Royal Hotel had been erected in the 1840s by Samuel Wood. When Wood went bankrupt the hotel was taken over by Benjamin Lewis, who conveyed the property to his daughters in 1851. It was one of the daughters, Mrs Charles Ewen, who decided in 1866 to have the rather dingy looking Royal Hotel demolished, and a new hotel built in its place. Statements at the time described the new building as a commodious and handsome edifice, and the largest hotel in the city. At the time of purchase by the Northern Club, the building was in the occupation of the imperial government. Edward Rumsey, architect, was employed to carry out the alterations thought necessary. The whole of the interior was renovated and alterations were made with the view of providing suitable accommodation. Several apartments on the second storey were thrown into one with the object of forming a billiard room. Gas, water, and bells were installed. The furniture was bought from Melbourne and the building set up as a gentlemen's club. Since its establishment in 1870, the Northern Club has accommodated many distinguished guests, and in this sense its historical significance is in no small measure due to its associations with these people. Anthony Trollope was an early comer, while the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York (later King George V and Queen Mary) stayed there in 1901. Other guests have included the famous English historian, J A Froude. From its point of view of its position in the social history of Auckland therefore, the Northern Club stands as a tangible physical link between past and present, both in terms of the people who stayed in the building, and in terms of its architectural form which has enduring value to the present day.

Physical Significance

ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE: In terms of the well mannered style of the building and the careful and articulated use of Italian Renaissance architectural themes, the building represents an extremely fine interpretation of European Italianate design. The original building was designed by James Wrigley, and as such it is a credit to his skill in interpreting in brick and cement a design which would traditionally be executed in stone. TOWNSCAPE/LAMDMARK SIGNIFICANCE: From the time it was built the Northern Club has occupied a prominent position in lower Princes Street. As the section it occupies it forms part of the Waterloo Quadrant, the Club stands in a precinctual relationship with other historic buildings nearby an d helps to define their historic character, these being the Old Government House, the former Jewish Synagogue and Princes Street houses.

Why is this place significant?

Historic Significance

Historical Significance or Value In August 1869, nineteen men, mainly professionals, met and agreed to form a club, committing themselves in writing to a contribution to the cost of purchasing the building for the purpose of club headquarters. The members were 'gentlemen residing within 30 metres of the clubhouse', although there were provisions made for extra-provincial members to be admitted by nomination and voting. There was an elected President and Vice-President, and the Club was managed by a committee. The annual subscription for ordinary members was twelve guineas. The committee, on behalf of its members, purchased the large brick, almost new building in Princes Street. This building had been built in 1867 on land which had previously held a one-storeyed wooded building with wide verandahs, known as the Royal Hotel. The Royal Hotel had been erected in the 1840s by Samuel Wood. When Wood went bankrupt the hotel was taken over by Benjamin Lewis, who conveyed the property to his daughters in 1851. It was one of the daughters, Mrs Charles Ewen, who decided in 1866 to have the rather dingy looking Royal Hotel demolished, and a new hotel built in its place. Statements at the time described the new building as a commodious and handsome edifice, and the largest hotel in the city. At the time of purchase by the Northern Club, the building was in the occupation of the imperial government. Edward Rumsey, architect, was employed to carry out the alterations thought necessary. The whole of the interior was renovated and alterations were made with the view of providing suitable accommodation. Several apartments on the second storey were thrown into one with the object of forming a billiard room. Gas, water, and bells were installed. The furniture was bought from Melbourne and the building set up as a gentlemen's club. Since its establishment in 1870, the Northern Club has accommodated many distinguished guests, and in this sense its historical significance is in no small measure due to its associations with these people. Anthony Trollope was an early comer, while the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York (later King George V and Queen Mary) stayed there in 1901. Other guests have included the famous English historian, J A Froude. From its point of view of its position in the social history of Auckland therefore, the Northern Club stands as a tangible physical link between past and present, both in terms of the people who stayed in the building, and in terms of its architectural form which has enduring value to the present day.

Physical Significance

ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE: In terms of the well mannered style of the building and the careful and articulated use of Italian Renaissance architectural themes, the building represents an extremely fine interpretation of European Italianate design. The original building was designed by James Wrigley, and as such it is a credit to his skill in interpreting in brick and cement a design which would traditionally be executed in stone. TOWNSCAPE/LAMDMARK SIGNIFICANCE: From the time it was built the Northern Club has occupied a prominent position in lower Princes Street. As the section it occupies it forms part of the Waterloo Quadrant, the Club stands in a precinctual relationship with other historic buildings nearby an d helps to define their historic character, these being the Old Government House, the former Jewish Synagogue and Princes Street houses.

Construction Information

Construction Professional

Name

Rumsey, Edward

Type

Architect

Biography

Rumsey was an English born architect who had studied under the High Victorian Gothic Revivalist Sir George Gilbert Scott. Rumsey came to New Zealand to supervise the Gothic Revival styled Supreme Court Building, Auckland (1865) which he had designed. He remained in New Zealand for several years, practising in both Auckland and Dunedin. He worked on St Andrew's Anglican Church, Epsom (1867), though the Reverend John Kinder was responsible for the design of this building, and also on the Church of St Peter in the Forest, Bombay (1869) and the much larger St Luke's Church, Oamaru (1865). The design of the Oriental Hotel, Dunedin (1863), has been attributed to him.

Name

Wood, Reader Gilson

Type

Architect

Biography

Reader Gilson Wood (1821-1895) was born in England and his education in England included study under William Flint, architect and surveyor. Wood arrived in New Zealand in 1844 and from May 1846 shared accommodation with Frederick Thatcher assisting in his work for St John's College including the supervision of the Chapel (1847). Wood remained at St John's for a short time and then took a government appointment. The Selwynian influence can be seen in his later works such as the Melanesian Mission at Mission Bay, Auckland (1859). Wood carried out a large number of commissions, but displayed little originality. He had a notable career, however, which included service as a prominent local government official (1848-61) and as a member of the House of Representatives for Parnell (1861-65 and 1870-78) and for Waitemata, (1879-81). He retired from politics in 1881, and became Chairman of the Auckland Gas Company and a trustee of the Auckland Savings Bank.

Name

Avery, William

Type

Builder

Biography

No biography is currently available for this construction professional

Name

Wrigley, James (1838 - 1882)

Type

Architect

Biography

James Wrigley (1837?-1882) was born in Huddersfield, England. He served his articles with the firm of Pritchett and Sons of York, Huddersfield and Darlington, said to have been the leading firm in the North of England. After arriving in Auckland in 1859, he is reported to have erected many of the largest buildings in Auckland Province. Wrigley served for many years on the Auckland City Council, and was chairman of the Remuera and Newmarket Highway Board on several occasions. He was also the last elected member of the Provincial Council in New Zealand, although he did not take up his seat due to the Council’s subsequent abolition. Structures built to Wrigley’s design include St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Howick (1872), Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Waiuku (1873) and the Roman Catholic Church of St Peter and St Paul, Puhoi (1881). He is also believed to have designed the Wesleyan Chapel in Pitt Street (c.1860) and the Anglican Church of St Mathias, Panmure (1866). An elite merchant’s house at 29 Princes Street known as Hamurana (1876) is his work, as is the original portion of Carrington Hospital (1865) and substantial additions to the Northern Club in 1870. Wrigley's work in North Auckland included additions to the Waiwera Hotel (1880). He was also responsible for several cottages in Dargaville. Source: Registration Report for D. Graham and Company's Building (Former), May 2014

Name

Mahoney, Edward

Type

Architect

Biography

Edward Mahoney (1824-1895) Edward Mahoney emigrated from Cork, Ireland with his wife Margaret and three children. The Mahoneys arrived in Auckland in 1856 where Edward set up as a building and timber merchant. In 1876 he established the architectural practice that later became Edward Mahoney & Sons, which for over thirty years designed and supervised construction of many Catholic buildings as well as churches for other denominations. The Church of St John the Baptist, Parnell (1861) and St Mary's Convent Chapel (1866) are two of the earliest surviving ecclesiastical buildings designed by Edward Mahoney and reflect the gradual evolution from simple Gothic Revival structures to more ambitious and creative use of the Gothic form such as may be seen in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Khyber Pass (1881); and St Patrick's Cathedral, the latter completed in 1901. Edward Mahoney was a founding member of the Auckland Institute of Architects, attending the first meeting in December 1880 where he was appointed honorary treasurer. He became president of the Institute in 1883. His sons Thomas (1855?-1923) and Robert (1862-1895) joined him in practice in 1876 and the early 1880s respectively. Upon Edward's retirement in 1885, Thomas and Robert carried on the practice. After Robert's death in 1895, Thomas changed the firm's name to E. Mahoney & Son. The Mahoneys designed a wide variety of buildings including the Auckland Customhouse, hotels, commercial buildings and houses, their best-known surviving domestic buildings being the Pah, at Hillsborough (1877) and the Dilworth Terrace Houses, Parnell (1899). Their ecclesiastical buildings included St Mary's Church of the Assumption, Onehunga (1888) and St Benedict's Church, Newton (1888). The firm of Edward Mahoney & Son continued to practice for a short period after Thomas Mahoney’s death in 1923, but was eventually dissolved in 1926. Source: NZHPT Registration Report for Bank of New Zealand (Former), Devonport (Register no. 4511).

Construction Details

Type

Other

Description

Possible pa site

Period

pre-1840

Start Year

1841

Finish Year

1866

Type

Other

Description

Site of Royal Hotel

Start Year

1866

Finish Year

1867

Type

Original Construction

Description

Construction of building, initialy known as the Imperial Hotel

Start Year

1869

Finish Year

1870

Type

Modification

Description

Internal alterations during conversion to Northern Club

Start Year

1883

Finish Year

1884

Type

Addition

Description

Extension at rear in similar style

Start Year

1897

Type

Addition

Description

Stone boundary wall and railings

Start Year

1904

Type

Addition

Description

Laundry, outer offices and stable (later demolished)

Start Year

1924

Finish Year

1925

Type

Addition

Description

Staff quarters added on Bankside Street frontage and building to north converted into staff flats

Start Year

1927

Type

Modification

Description

Planting of Virginia Creeper to cover the main facades

Start Year

1971

Type

Addition

Description

North extension on site of staff flats

Start Year

1975

Finish Year

1993

Type

Modification

Description

Demolition of 1924-1925 staff quarters on Bankside Street frontage

Start Year

1990

Finish Year

1993

Type

Modification

Description

Internal refurbishment

Construction Materials

Brick, with the facades plastered with cement in imitation of stone.

Notable Features

Registration covers the structure, its fixtures and finishes. It also includes recent modifications. The building lies on the site of an earlier hotel, and on or close to the site of a Maori pa - Te Reuroa. Some known remains, including a brick-lined well, survive as buried archaeological deposits. Special Features: The building is notable today for its Virginia creeper which has entirely covered the two street fronts, and which marks the change of seasons with spectacular changes of colour.

Construction Professional

Name

Rumsey, Edward

Type

Architect

Biography

Rumsey was an English born architect who had studied under the High Victorian Gothic Revivalist Sir George Gilbert Scott. Rumsey came to New Zealand to supervise the Gothic Revival styled Supreme Court Building, Auckland (1865) which he had designed. He remained in New Zealand for several years, practising in both Auckland and Dunedin. He worked on St Andrew's Anglican Church, Epsom (1867), though the Reverend John Kinder was responsible for the design of this building, and also on the Church of St Peter in the Forest, Bombay (1869) and the much larger St Luke's Church, Oamaru (1865). The design of the Oriental Hotel, Dunedin (1863), has been attributed to him.

Name

Wood, Reader Gilson

Type

Architect

Biography

Reader Gilson Wood (1821-1895) was born in England and his education in England included study under William Flint, architect and surveyor. Wood arrived in New Zealand in 1844 and from May 1846 shared accommodation with Frederick Thatcher assisting in his work for St John's College including the supervision of the Chapel (1847). Wood remained at St John's for a short time and then took a government appointment. The Selwynian influence can be seen in his later works such as the Melanesian Mission at Mission Bay, Auckland (1859). Wood carried out a large number of commissions, but displayed little originality. He had a notable career, however, which included service as a prominent local government official (1848-61) and as a member of the House of Representatives for Parnell (1861-65 and 1870-78) and for Waitemata, (1879-81). He retired from politics in 1881, and became Chairman of the Auckland Gas Company and a trustee of the Auckland Savings Bank.

Name

Avery, William

Type

Builder

Biography

No biography is currently available for this construction professional

Name

Wrigley, James (1838 - 1882)

Type

Architect

Biography

James Wrigley (1837?-1882) was born in Huddersfield, England. He served his articles with the firm of Pritchett and Sons of York, Huddersfield and Darlington, said to have been the leading firm in the North of England. After arriving in Auckland in 1859, he is reported to have erected many of the largest buildings in Auckland Province. Wrigley served for many years on the Auckland City Council, and was chairman of the Remuera and Newmarket Highway Board on several occasions. He was also the last elected member of the Provincial Council in New Zealand, although he did not take up his seat due to the Council’s subsequent abolition. Structures built to Wrigley’s design include St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Howick (1872), Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Waiuku (1873) and the Roman Catholic Church of St Peter and St Paul, Puhoi (1881). He is also believed to have designed the Wesleyan Chapel in Pitt Street (c.1860) and the Anglican Church of St Mathias, Panmure (1866). An elite merchant’s house at 29 Princes Street known as Hamurana (1876) is his work, as is the original portion of Carrington Hospital (1865) and substantial additions to the Northern Club in 1870. Wrigley's work in North Auckland included additions to the Waiwera Hotel (1880). He was also responsible for several cottages in Dargaville. Source: Registration Report for D. Graham and Company's Building (Former), May 2014

Name

Mahoney, Edward

Type

Architect

Biography

Edward Mahoney (1824-1895) Edward Mahoney emigrated from Cork, Ireland with his wife Margaret and three children. The Mahoneys arrived in Auckland in 1856 where Edward set up as a building and timber merchant. In 1876 he established the architectural practice that later became Edward Mahoney & Sons, which for over thirty years designed and supervised construction of many Catholic buildings as well as churches for other denominations. The Church of St John the Baptist, Parnell (1861) and St Mary's Convent Chapel (1866) are two of the earliest surviving ecclesiastical buildings designed by Edward Mahoney and reflect the gradual evolution from simple Gothic Revival structures to more ambitious and creative use of the Gothic form such as may be seen in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Khyber Pass (1881); and St Patrick's Cathedral, the latter completed in 1901. Edward Mahoney was a founding member of the Auckland Institute of Architects, attending the first meeting in December 1880 where he was appointed honorary treasurer. He became president of the Institute in 1883. His sons Thomas (1855?-1923) and Robert (1862-1895) joined him in practice in 1876 and the early 1880s respectively. Upon Edward's retirement in 1885, Thomas and Robert carried on the practice. After Robert's death in 1895, Thomas changed the firm's name to E. Mahoney & Son. The Mahoneys designed a wide variety of buildings including the Auckland Customhouse, hotels, commercial buildings and houses, their best-known surviving domestic buildings being the Pah, at Hillsborough (1877) and the Dilworth Terrace Houses, Parnell (1899). Their ecclesiastical buildings included St Mary's Church of the Assumption, Onehunga (1888) and St Benedict's Church, Newton (1888). The firm of Edward Mahoney & Son continued to practice for a short period after Thomas Mahoney’s death in 1923, but was eventually dissolved in 1926. Source: NZHPT Registration Report for Bank of New Zealand (Former), Devonport (Register no. 4511).

Construction Details

Type

Other

Description

Possible pa site

Period

pre-1840

Start Year

1841

Finish Year

1866

Type

Other

Description

Site of Royal Hotel

Start Year

1866

Finish Year

1867

Type

Original Construction

Description

Construction of building, initialy known as the Imperial Hotel

Start Year

1869

Finish Year

1870

Type

Modification

Description

Internal alterations during conversion to Northern Club

Start Year

1883

Finish Year

1884

Type

Addition

Description

Extension at rear in similar style

Start Year

1897

Type

Addition

Description

Stone boundary wall and railings

Start Year

1904

Type

Addition

Description

Laundry, outer offices and stable (later demolished)

Start Year

1924

Finish Year

1925

Type

Addition

Description

Staff quarters added on Bankside Street frontage and building to north converted into staff flats

Start Year

1927

Type

Modification

Description

Planting of Virginia Creeper to cover the main facades

Start Year

1971

Type

Addition

Description

North extension on site of staff flats

Start Year

1975

Finish Year

1993

Type

Modification

Description

Demolition of 1924-1925 staff quarters on Bankside Street frontage

Start Year

1990

Finish Year

1993

Type

Modification

Description

Internal refurbishment

Construction Materials

Brick, with the facades plastered with cement in imitation of stone.

Notable Features

Registration covers the structure, its fixtures and finishes. It also includes recent modifications. The building lies on the site of an earlier hotel, and on or close to the site of a Maori pa - Te Reuroa. Some known remains, including a brick-lined well, survive as buried archaeological deposits. Special Features: The building is notable today for its Virginia creeper which has entirely covered the two street fronts, and which marks the change of seasons with spectacular changes of colour.

Physical Description

ARCHITECTURAL DESCRITPION (Style): An Italianate palazzo style building. The façades are evenly articulated by the horizontal bands of three cornices distinguished each of the three storeys of the building. The windows are decorated with segmented-head and triangular-headed dressings of simple design. The third (top) storey is capped by an entablature and parapet. The only break in the symmetry occurs in the entrance loggia placed on the ground storey, Princes Street side. MODIFICATIONS: There have been two major modifications in the history of this building, taking place in 1869 and 1883-84 respectively. At the time the Northern Club took over the building in 1869, the whole of the interior was renovated with provision made for increased accommodation and a large billiard room. The 1884 additions consisted of a new dining room and 15 bedrooms: these additions were tied in to the purchase of the property at the rear of the Club on the Bankside Street side. Subsequent alterations of the 1920s include new staff quarters and flats, designed by the firm M K and R F Draffin.

ARCHITECTURAL DESCRITPION (Style): An Italianate palazzo style building. The façades are evenly articulated by the horizontal bands of three cornices distinguished each of the three storeys of the building. The windows are decorated with segmented-head and triangular-headed dressings of simple design. The third (top) storey is capped by an entablature and parapet. The only break in the symmetry occurs in the entrance loggia placed on the ground storey, Princes Street side. MODIFICATIONS: There have been two major modifications in the history of this building, taking place in 1869 and 1883-84 respectively. At the time the Northern Club took over the building in 1869, the whole of the interior was renovated with provision made for increased accommodation and a large billiard room. The 1884 additions consisted of a new dining room and 15 bedrooms: these additions were tied in to the purchase of the property at the rear of the Club on the Bankside Street side. Subsequent alterations of the 1920s include new staff quarters and flats, designed by the firm M K and R F Draffin.

Reference

Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau

Completion Date

7th November 2001

Report Written By

Martin Jones

Information Sources

Couch, 1986

Jane Couch, 'Northern Club', unpublished research notes for NZHPT, Wellington, 1986 (held by NZHPT, Auckland)

Nelson, 1987

Wayne Nelson, 'Northern Club, cnr Princes Street and Kitchener Street, Auckland', NZHPT Buildings Classification Committee Report, Wellington, 1987 (held by NZHPT, Auckland)

Stacpoole, 1976

John Stacpoole, Colonial Architecture in New Zealand, Wellington, 1976

Stacpoole, 1994

John Stacpoole, The Northern Club 1869-1994, Auckland, 1994

Porter, 1983 (2)

Frances Porter (ed.), Historic Buildings of New Zealand: North Island (2nd edn.), Auckland, 1983

Conservation Plan

Conservation Plan

Other Information

This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. This report includes the text from the original Building Classification Committee report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rarangi Korero identifies only the heritage values of the property concerned, and should not be construed as advice on the state of the property, or as a comment of its soundness or safety, including in regard to earthquake risk, safety in the event of fire, or insanitary conditions.

Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau

Completion Date

7th November 2001

Report Written By

Martin Jones

Information Sources

Couch, 1986

Jane Couch, 'Northern Club', unpublished research notes for NZHPT, Wellington, 1986 (held by NZHPT, Auckland)

Nelson, 1987

Wayne Nelson, 'Northern Club, cnr Princes Street and Kitchener Street, Auckland', NZHPT Buildings Classification Committee Report, Wellington, 1987 (held by NZHPT, Auckland)

Stacpoole, 1976

John Stacpoole, Colonial Architecture in New Zealand, Wellington, 1976

Stacpoole, 1994

John Stacpoole, The Northern Club 1869-1994, Auckland, 1994

Porter, 1983 (2)

Frances Porter (ed.), Historic Buildings of New Zealand: North Island (2nd edn.), Auckland, 1983

Conservation Plan

Conservation Plan

Other Information

This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. This report includes the text from the original Building Classification Committee report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rarangi Korero identifies only the heritage values of the property concerned, and should not be construed as advice on the state of the property, or as a comment of its soundness or safety, including in regard to earthquake risk, safety in the event of fire, or insanitary conditions.

Further Information

Current Usages

Uses: Civic Facilities

Specific Usage: Club rooms/building

Former Usages

General Usage: Accommodation

Specific Usage: Hotel

General Usage: Civic Facilities

Specific Usage: Museum

Web Links

description:

url: http://www.northernclub.co.nz/Home_Page.php

Current Usages

Uses: Civic Facilities

Specific Usage: Club rooms/building

Former Usages

General Usage: Accommodation

Specific Usage: Hotel

General Usage: Civic Facilities

Specific Usage: Museum

Web Links

description:

url: http://www.northernclub.co.nz/Home_Page.php

Location

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