The D.C. Turnbull & Co. Limited Buildings, a large complex of adjoining buildings constructed in different phases and in different styles from around the 1880s and early twentieth century at the sea end of Strathallan Street in Timaru, are historically significant in telling the story of the area’s prominent role in the grain and wool trade. The buildings have architectural significance, especially the 1901 building at the south-west part of the site which was designed by D. C. Turnbull’s architect brother, James Turnbull.

Miles & Co. Ltd was an old English banking business that expanded into Australia and New Zealand in the mid nineteenth century. In 1867 the firm acquired Le Cren’s business in Timaru, with Mr Fulbert Archer in charge from 1868. From 1875 the Timaru firm was known as Miles, Archer and Co. (while the Christchurch arm of the firm was Miles, Hassal and Co., later simply Miles and Co.). They were considered to be one of the best wool and stock businesses in New Zealand. The firm was very active in a range of shipping, storage and land activities and in Timaru they established stores in Strathallan Street from an early date. In 1881 Messrs Miles, Archer & Co. constructed a tunnel under the Terrace to connect their new grain store with their warehouses by the tramway. This ‘new’ grain store may be the three-storeyed brick ‘airy, rat proof’ building that was in existence by mid-1895 when Miles’ store building was taken over by John Mee. In 1901 the building was purchased by merchant David Clarkson Turnbull. Established in 1894, the firm of D. C. Turnbull had become a well-established and well-respected business by the early 1900s, with a diversity of interests and many farming clients. They were engaged in the wool, grain, and frozen meat trade and had their own sailing vessel of their own to carry consignments into any inter-colonial port. When the firm purchased Miles’ well-known grain store in 1901, it had new two-storeyed offices with show-room constructed adjacent, at the south-east corner of the land parcel fronting Strathallan Street and the sea. The architect was James Turnbull, the concrete and brickwork was carried out by Messrs Hunt and Werry, and the builder was W. Baird.

The complex of buildings is generally accessed from the 1901 main office building on Strathallan Street. This two-storeyed plastered brick building is on a concrete foundation and has Victorian/Edwardian embellishments such as pilasters, scalloped window detailing, dentilled cornice and parapet on its south and east elevations. The rear is utilitarian brick with a saw tooth roof connecting with the taller three storeyed brick grain and wool store buildings running the extent of the north half of the land parcel. Straight joins and slightly different brick treatment and roof height show where the original store building was extended to the west at an early date. Painted lettering on the south elevation of the brick store shows various iterations of the early operators of that building: Miles, Archer & Co and John Mee.

The complex of buildings has been added to over time, notably at the west end of the original store building. That extension was re-roofed in 2017. A 1940s aesbestos-clad corrugated iron store building that fronted Strathallan Street at the eastern boundary of the land parcel was demolished in circa 2010. The complex continues to be owned and operated by D. C. Turnbull & Co. Limited. As the range of buildings is no longer fully utilised, D. C. Turnbull Co. Limited is exploring alternative uses.