Gladstone Road Historic Area

Gladstone Road, GISBORNE

Historic Area

List No. 7017

Quick links:
In 1868 the Government purchased 741 acres of land for the town site of Gisborne which was surveyed into sections two years later. Settlement had begun in the area with Captain Read who, in 1852, was invited by local Maori chiefs to establish a trading store. For thirty years this enterprising pioneer shaped and influenced the development of Poverty Bay, establishing Gisborne's first hotel (the Albion) and the courthouse as well as introducing his own early currency system involving £1 notes that only he could cash. At the time of his death in 1878 it was estimated that he had created three quarters of the town's business property.

From the early 1870's through to WWI Gisborne flourished due to the trade generated by a farming boom. Original timber buildings were replaced with masonry structures in the early decades of this century reflecting the town's confidence in the future. The majority of the buildings within the Peel St/Gladstone area are former banks or commercial premises that have had a variety of uses over the years and are significant for their streetscape value.

The Albion, opened by Captain Read in 1868, was the first hotel in Gisborne to offer accommodation as well as provide rooms for the first gentlemen's club in the town.
Gladstone Road Historic Area. Looking over the township showing buildings, housing, shops and other business premises on both sides of the street. Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, Wgtn, NZ, must be obtained before any re-use of this image | Department of Tourist and Health Resorts | Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington

List Entry Information

Overview

Status

Listed

List Entry Status

Historic Area

Access

Private/No Public Access

List Number

7017

Date Entered

28th April 1995

Date of Effect

28th April 1995

City/District Council

Gisborne District

Region

Gisborne Region

Extent of List Entry

Includes buildings between 9 and 37 Gladstone Road, including Eastern Co-op Building Society Building; Albion Club Hotel; National Bank; Sun City Pharmacy Building.

Status

Listed

List Entry Status

Historic Area

Access

Private/No Public Access

List Number

7017

Date Entered

28th April 1995

Date of Effect

28th April 1995

City/District Council

Gisborne District

Region

Gisborne Region

Extent of List Entry

Includes buildings between 9 and 37 Gladstone Road, including Eastern Co-op Building Society Building; Albion Club Hotel; National Bank; Sun City Pharmacy Building.

Significance

Why is this place significant?

Cultural Significance

Social: The mix of old and new commercial architecture within this historic business area reflects the changes in Gisborne over the last seventy years. Hotels such as the Albion have played a major role in the town's social activities and development. They have served the local community as venues and gathering places since the 1870's despite considerable changes in lifestyle.

Historic Significance

Historical Significance or Value The Gladstone Rd area has continued to be the business centre of Gisborne since Captain Read's settlement in the 1870's. The remaining examples of commercial property erected c.1910 are a reminder of the town's prosperity in the early decades of this century. The Gladstone Rd area is significant as a piece of well preserved early twentieth century townscape. The area also has interesting historical links dating back to the early settlement and commercial development of Gisborne.

Physical Significance

Architectural: Two of the specified buildings within the area are the work of Gisborne architects Burr & Mirfield (established 1912) who designed a large number of buildings within Gisborne's central business area. The buildings within the area are of a similar age and are compatible in terms of scale and design. The survival of these Stripped Classical buildings (unreinforced masonry) constructed pre-1930 is significant because so many within the Hawkes Bay area were lost in the Napier earthquake. Aesthetic: This group of well maintained buildings of similar design, age and scale form attractive, uninterrupted streetscape along one of Gisborne's main roads.

Why is this place significant?

Cultural Significance

Social: The mix of old and new commercial architecture within this historic business area reflects the changes in Gisborne over the last seventy years. Hotels such as the Albion have played a major role in the town's social activities and development. They have served the local community as venues and gathering places since the 1870's despite considerable changes in lifestyle.

Historic Significance

Historical Significance or Value The Gladstone Rd area has continued to be the business centre of Gisborne since Captain Read's settlement in the 1870's. The remaining examples of commercial property erected c.1910 are a reminder of the town's prosperity in the early decades of this century. The Gladstone Rd area is significant as a piece of well preserved early twentieth century townscape. The area also has interesting historical links dating back to the early settlement and commercial development of Gisborne.

Physical Significance

Architectural: Two of the specified buildings within the area are the work of Gisborne architects Burr & Mirfield (established 1912) who designed a large number of buildings within Gisborne's central business area. The buildings within the area are of a similar age and are compatible in terms of scale and design. The survival of these Stripped Classical buildings (unreinforced masonry) constructed pre-1930 is significant because so many within the Hawkes Bay area were lost in the Napier earthquake. Aesthetic: This group of well maintained buildings of similar design, age and scale form attractive, uninterrupted streetscape along one of Gisborne's main roads.

Reference

Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau

Report Written By

NZHPT

Information Sources

Gisborne Herald

14 Dec 2012

Robinson, 1990

Sheila Robinson and John Berry (eds.), Gisborne Exposed: The Photographs of William Crawford 1874-1913, Gisborne, 1990

Historic Places in New Zealand

Historic Places in New Zealand

Other Information

A copy of the original report is available from the NZHPT Northern region office 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. This historic area was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. The following text is from the original Recommendation for Registration considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration.

Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau

Report Written By

NZHPT

Information Sources

Gisborne Herald

14 Dec 2012

Robinson, 1990

Sheila Robinson and John Berry (eds.), Gisborne Exposed: The Photographs of William Crawford 1874-1913, Gisborne, 1990

Historic Places in New Zealand

Historic Places in New Zealand

Other Information

A copy of the original report is available from the NZHPT Northern region office 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. This historic area was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. The following text is from the original Recommendation for Registration considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration.

Further Information

Former Usages

General Usage: Accommodation

Specific Usage: Hotel

General Usage: Finance

Specific Usage: Bank

General Usage: Health

Specific Usage: Pharmacy

General Usage: Trade

Specific Usage: Office building/Offices

General Usage: Trade

Specific Usage: Shop

Former Usages

General Usage: Accommodation

Specific Usage: Hotel

General Usage: Finance

Specific Usage: Bank

General Usage: Health

Specific Usage: Pharmacy

General Usage: Trade

Specific Usage: Office building/Offices

General Usage: Trade

Specific Usage: Shop

Stay up to date with Heritage this month