This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. The following text is the original citation considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. In 1915 competitive designs were invited from Hastings architects for a municipal building comprising council chambers and offices and an assembly hall. A.G. Garnett was appointed architect. Garnett later made a significant contribution to the rebuilding of Hastings following the 1931 earthquake. The foundation stone was laid on 9 February 1916 and the building opened on 12 April of the following year. It is built in a simplified Renaissance style and is basically two-storeyed with a more prominent separately roofed block over the Assembly Hall section of the building on Heretaunga Street. The building has superb townscape qualities enhanced by the newer Hawkes Bay Electric Power Board building of a similar scale adjoining it on Heretaunga Street and the highly eclectic Municipal Theatre on Hastings Street. The building is of very considerable historical significance as the civic and administrative centre of Hastings for a period of sixty years. It was vacated in 1977 when a new civic building was opened in Lyndon Road East.
Location
List Entry Information
Overview
Detailed List Entry
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 1
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
177
Date Entered
11th November 1983
Date of Effect
11th November 1983
City/District Council
Hastings District
Region
Hawke's Bay Region
Extent of List Entry
Extent includes part of the land described as Lot 3 DP 6499, Pt Lot 152, Lot 153 DEED 83 and Lot 154 DEED 83 Hawkes Bay Land District and the building known as Municipal Buildings thereon, and its fittings and fixtures. (Refer to map in Appendix 1 for further information).
Legal description
Lot 3 DP 6499, Pt Lot 152 (RT HB96/284), Lot 153 DEED 83 (RT HB 52/53) and Lot 154 DEED 83 (RT HB 52/54), Hawkes Bay Land District
Location Description
The building sits alongside the former Municipal Theatre at the intersection of Hastings Street South and Heretaunga Street East.
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 1
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
177
Date Entered
11th November 1983
Date of Effect
11th November 1983
City/District Council
Hastings District
Region
Hawke's Bay Region
Extent of List Entry
Extent includes part of the land described as Lot 3 DP 6499, Pt Lot 152, Lot 153 DEED 83 and Lot 154 DEED 83 Hawkes Bay Land District and the building known as Municipal Buildings thereon, and its fittings and fixtures. (Refer to map in Appendix 1 for further information).
Legal description
Lot 3 DP 6499, Pt Lot 152 (RT HB96/284), Lot 153 DEED 83 (RT HB 52/53) and Lot 154 DEED 83 (RT HB 52/54), Hawkes Bay Land District
Location Description
The building sits alongside the former Municipal Theatre at the intersection of Hastings Street South and Heretaunga Street East.
Cultural Significance
Social Significance or Value: The building has strong social and cultural significance, being not only the former home of the Hastings District Council, but also a retail outlet of some age and a place where many social functions have taken place over the years. Together with the former Municipal Theatre, the building represents the past aspirations of a coming region of New Zealand. The building's role in the rejuvenated theatre complex and the care and attention lavished on its exterior and interior have only increased public esteem for the building.
Historic Significance
Historical Significance or Value The Municipal Buildings is historically significant for the 60 years it spent as the home of the Hastings Borough (later District) Council. This was the third building the council had used following its inauguration in 1886, and its second purpose-built facility. Together with the Municipal Theatre, the construction of this building demonstrates a remarkable boldness on the part of the council and its ratepayers of what was then still a town. The building has had a range of uses over its history. Its ground floor on Heretaunga Street has also been a collection of retail outlets of long-standing, parts of the first storey have been used as a social and functions venue and, after the council left the building, it was home to numerous organisations, including government departments. Since the refurbishment of the theatre and municipal buildings into a multi-purpose function and entertainment centre in the 2000s, the building has been subsumed into the Hawkes Bay Opera House complex, opening a new era in its history.
Physical Significance
Aesthetic Significance or Value: The building has a strong presence in the townscape, both for the impressive facades to Hastings and Heretaunga Streets, and for the contribution it makes to the nearby group of heritage buildings that includes the Hawkes Bay Opera House and Wesley Church. It is a landmark in this context, both from nearby and in more distant views. Architectural Significance or Value: The former Municipal Buildings stand out as an original and eclectic piece of architecture; in the manner of the time, it draws on a mix of Classical elements and combines them in a novel and interesting manner, lending suitable grandeur to the most important civic building of the town. Interior spaces match the quality of the exterior, making it a building of considerable architectural value, of regional and national interest. It is the work of an important local architect, Albert Garnett, perhaps his most ambitious and creative work, and it is noteworthy too for its being commissioned through a competition judged by Joshua Charlesworth, architect of the Wellington Town Hall.
Construction Professional
Biography
The 1908 Cyclopedia [Taranaki, Hawke’s Bay & Wellington Provincial Districts] carries this entry on p. 461: "Stanley Brothers, Builders, and Contractors, Hastings. This business was established in the year 1892, by Messrs A. A. and R. Stanley, the present proprietors, and it is now (1906) one of the largest and most prosperous in Hawke's Bay. Among the buildings erected by the firm may be mentioned Mr. Holdworth's residence (“Swathmore”) at Havelock, the Commercial Hotel at Woodville, Mr. John Tosswill's residence, the buildings on the Maraekakaho, Green Hill, Sherenden, and Twyford stations, and a large number of private residences and business houses. About twenty-five persons are employed by the firm." Stanley Bros successfully tendered for the construction of the Hastings Municipal Buildings in 1916.
Name
Stanley Bros.
Type
Builder
Biography
Albert Garnett (1878-1956) was one of Hastings' most important architects. Born in Hastings in 1878, he lived all his life in the town. His father James Garnett, later mayor of Hastings, was a builder and his son began his career working for his father before becoming an architect. He practised mainly on his own account, although he formed a brief association with Davies and Phillips in the immediate aftermath of the Hawkes Bay earthquake. Garnett ended his partnership with Davies and Phillips in 1933 but continued to practice into the 1950s. Albert Garnett was also a borough councillor in the 1920s. Among his other Hastings' buildings were the Wesley Methodist Church (1911), Municipal Chambers (1917) and Atkins House (1935). One of Albert Garnett's greatest contributions to Hastings was his early use of the Spanish Mission style, which went on to become synonymous with central Hastings. In Russell Street alone he designed three of Hastings' best examples of Spanish Mission architecture - Poppelwells Building (1927), R & R Building (1927) and Harvey's Building (1933).
Name
Garnett, Albert (1878-1956)
Type
Architect
Construction Details
Start Year
1916
Type
Original Construction
Description
Alterations including addition of supper room c1924
Finish Year
1940
Start Year
1930
Type
Modification
Description
Reconditioning post earthquake
Start Year
1931
Type
Other
Description
Alterations to entry foyer
Start Year
1977
Type
Modification
Description
Rooms reinstated after fire
Start Year
1983
Type
Reconstruction
Description
Alterations to building for tenant
Start Year
1988
Type
Modification
Description
Link made to Municipal Theatre
Start Year
1994
Type
Modification
Description
Refurbishment as part of wider redevelopment
Start Year
2004
Type
Modification
The Municipal Buildings was built in 1916 to provide new premises for the Hastings Borough Council. In addition to council chambers and offices, the building included an assembly hall and several retail shops. The Municipal Buildings and the adjacent Municipal Theatre, which was built in 1915, demonstrate the growing confidence in the prosperity of the district during the early twentieth century. Town government was established in Hastings during the mid-1880s. In 1884, with a population exceeding 500, Hastings met the statutory requirement for a town district and in August 1886 was proclaimed a borough. The Hastings Borough Council met for the first time in October 1886. One of the Council's first concerns was to provide accommodation for itself. It arranged for the construction of a purpose-built timber structure, which opened in 1888. This building housed the council chambers, offices for the town clerk and the engineer, a private room for the mayor, and a large brick strong room. It was described as 'one of the best buildings in Hastings' at the time. By 1908, it was widely recognised that the old municipal chambers would have to be replaced. The Hastings Standard commented that: It is very evident that the question of rebuilding the Municipal Chambers will have to be faced before many years. As a matter of fact the present building is insufficient for a town of the size and importance of Hastings yet, as the money available is required for other purposes, Councillors are perforce compelled to put up with the inconvenience of the time being. As well as new accommodation for the Borough Council, there was also a need for a new town hall and a new theatre. The old timber Princes Theatre, which served as Hastings' town hall and principal theatre, was thought to be a fire risk and was too small for large travelling companies. In November 1911, the Mayor, James Garnett, concluded negotiations on behalf of the Council for the purchase of two vacant quarter-acre sections that were adjacent to the old council building. The acquisition of this land gave the Council a total of 0.3 of hectare (three-quarters of an acre), with 60 metres of frontage on Heretaunga Street and 20 metres on Eastbourne (now Hastings) Street. The Council proposed to erect a municipal building that would include offices, shops, and a public hall. Revenue from the rental of the shops and hall would be directed towards repaying the loan that would be required to cover construction costs. The erection of a theatre was also considered, but the whole project was then temporarily suspended. In January 1914, the Council addressed the matter of funding. It authorised the raising of a £29,300 loan for a municipal building and for a theatre, which would be additional to a works extension loan of almost £70,000. In a decision that reflected great confidence in the future growth and prosperity of their town, Hastings' ratepayers approved the loan, which amounted to almost £100,000 for a population of just 7,000. Discussing the proposed new buildings, the Hawkes Bay Tribune expressed approval of the Council's leadership and commented that: 'The Municipal Buildings...are badly needed, and more especially is the provision of a theatre suitable to the wants and status of the town a matter of urgent demand.' The Municipal Theatre, designed by H.E. White, was constructed before the Municipal Buildings, opening in October 1915. The Council decided that a competition would be held for the design of the Municipal Buildings, with architects living within three miles of the Hastings post office invited to submit plans. The judge, architect Joshua Charlesworth of Wellington, selected Albert Garnett's design to be the best of the eight entries. Albert Garnett was the eldest son of James Garnett, who had been elected mayor in 1911 and who had died in 1913 while still in office. After working independently for many years, Garnett went on to form a partnership with Harold Davies and Eric Phillips in the wake of the Hawkes Bay earthquake. A tender of £12,042 by Stanley Brothers was accepted for the construction of the Municipal Buildings. The foundation stone was laid on [9] February 1916. Building work lasted throughout 1916, with the Council expressing dissatisfaction at the rate of progress. The shops were ready for occupation by January 1917 and the Council held its first meeting in the new building on 13 April 1917. There were eight shops on the ground floor, with stairways leading to the Council Chambers, offices, Assembly Hall, and supper rooms on the first floor. A tower room above the Heretaunga Street entrance was used for card games when dances were held in the Assembly Hall. The latter was in frequent use until 1950. A number of improvements and alterations were made to the Municipal Buildings prior to 1930. The most significant work was probably the construction of the Supper Room in the space between the Municipal Buildings and the Municipal Theatre. This took place about 1924. Council minutes from May 1930 show, for the first time, the Municipal Buildings returning a profit. The deficits of previous years were largely the result of costs incurred in carrying out alterations and additions. The Municipal Buildings and the Municipal Theatre were damaged but not destroyed by the 1931 Hawkes Bay earthquake. As part of the reconstruction efforts, local architects and architects from the main centres combined to evaluate damage and design new buildings. Davies, Garnett, and Phillips were responsible for the repair of both the Municipal Buildings and the Municipal Theatre. In May 1931, the Council accepted a tender by Trevor Brother for reconditioning work, which included installation of a new service lift. The Council called for further tenders for reconstruction work in August 1931. There appear to have been few alterations made to the Municipal Buildings between the mid 1930s and the late 1960s. Council records mostly concern the letting of the shops and bookings for the Assembly Hall, which continued to be a popular venue for dances, music recitals, and large meetings. Among the special events held in the Assembly Hall, the records record a ball to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 and a ball held in September 1956 to mark Hastings becoming a city. By the late 1960s, consideration was given to altering the Municipal Buildings to provide more office space. This idea was not pursued as it was realised that a new council chamber and administration would have to be built. However, it was widely thought that the Municipal Buildings should be retained as a community facility. In 1977 and 1978, after the Hastings City Council had left the building for new premises, offices were leased to the Department of Social Welfare and the Ministry of Works Development. It was at this time that major recorded changes began to occur. Alterations were made to the entry foyer in 1977. In November 1983, a fire caused major smoke damage to the supper room, Assembly Hall and one of the retail stores and these spaces had to be reinstated. In January of the following year, the Council decided to upgrade the building for safety purposes. In June 1986, the Assembly Hall was leased to Te Waka Tapu O Takitimu Trust. In April 1988, approval was given for certain building works, apparently following requests for alterations by Te Waka Tapu O Takitimu Trust. In 1994 a first floor 'bridge' was built to link with the adjacent Municipal Theatre, providing theatre patrons access to the bar and supper rooms, enabling the two buildings to be used as one facility. In May 1997, the Hastings District Council commissioned a conservation plan for the Municipal Buildings. The resulting report, dated June 1998, was prepared by Di Stewart and Associates and Salmond Architects. In 2002 resource consents were sought for major changes to the building as part of a plan to establish the Hawkes Bay Opera House, a multi-purpose venue based on the Municipal Theatre and incorporating the Municipal Buildings and the vacant site to the west of the theatre. Work on the $4 million project began in 2002 with preliminary work on the theatre. Major work began in 2004 with the restoration and refurbishment of the theatre, and the incorporation of the Municipal Building into the development. The Assembly Hall (now known as The Assembly), Hawkes Bay's largest ballroom, was refurbished and its sprung dance floor restored. The latter was also intended to offer a place for visiting ballet and dance performers to warm up. The Shakespeare Room, formerly the Municipal Chambers, was converted into a function space, while the Supper Room was also renovated for use as a function room. Work to restore the Municipal Buildings and the Municipal Theatre was completed in 2007.
The former Municipal Buildings is a structure of two storeys, originally with commercial tenancies on the ground floor and civic spaces on the first. These were in two parts: that at the Hastings and Heretaunga Street corner end, and with a formal entrance from Hastings Street, contained the council chamber with associated mayoral suite and council offices, while the part accessible from Heretaunga Street was the 'assembly hall'. While there is no special treatment for the corner of the building (compared especially with Westermans at the far end of Heretaunga Street)), each of the entrances is proclaimed in bold letters as 'Council Chambers' and Municipal Buildings', neatly separating the two functions. Commercial uses remain today on the ground floor, and spaces on the first floor have recently been renovated for use in conjunction with the Hawkes Bay Opera House next door. The architecture of the building is an original blend of features that means it does not fit neatly any single style descriptive; perhaps Edwardian Baroque describes it best. Classical detail abounds, in the giant order Ionic columns that frame prominent balconies over the two entrances; in a bracketed cornice that runs the full length of both facades, and in heavy rustication of the ground floor. Circular windows in the tower, oval ('oculus') windows decorated with wreaths, and the over-sized and dramatic corbels that support the first floor balcony above the verandah, are all features of the exuberant Baroque style of the period. The balcony is a most unusual feature of the building, a ceremonial walkway along the street elevations of the building, above the verandah roof. It is a handsome building, well articulated by the architecture of the two street entrances, and by the hipped and tiled roofed tower above the Heretaunga Street entrance. During the Hawkes Bay earthquake, major damage was sustained to the Heretaunga Street façade of the building, the portion alongside the assembly room; here the parapet and two of the three pediments on this elevation collapsed, and were rebuilt to match. Modifications have been carried out inside the building (see history) but important spaces and the exterior retains a high degree of authenticity.
Completion Date
7th July 2008
Report Written By
Helen McCracken / Michael Kelly / Chris Cochran
Information Sources
Boyd, 1984
Mary Boyd, City of the Plains, A History of Hastings, Wellington, 1984
Hastings Standard
Hastings Standard
Hawkes Bay Herald Tribune
Hawkes Bay Herald Tribune
Shaw, 1991 (2)
Peter Shaw, and Peter Hallett, Hastings: Spanish Mission Styles of Five Decades, Napier: Cosmos, 1991.
Report Written By
A fully referenced registration report is available from the NZHPT Central 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.
Current Usages
Uses: Civic Facilities
Specific Usage: Opera House
Uses: Trade
Specific Usage: Shop
Former Usages
General Usage:: Government
Specific Usage: Council/local government building
General Usage:: Trade
Specific Usage: Shop