Welcome to Heritage New Zealand

This handsome Edwardian commercial building on a prominent corner site was designed by Invercargill architect CJ Brodrick in 1908 for merchants Kirk and Royds. It has architectural, aesthetic and historic significance. The firm Royd Bros & Kirk, Ltd, was an amalgamation of Messrs Kirk and Royds, Invercargill, and John. I. Royds and Co. merchants, of Christchurch, which merged in 1904. John Royds was a managing partner in the firm, which had branches in Invercargill and Christchurch. In 1908 they leased two sections at the corner of Tay and Nith Streets. Invercargill architect Charles Brodrick invited for tenders for ‘the ERECTION of Extensive Two Storey BRICK PREMISES, OFFICES, AND STORES, corner of Tay & Nith Streets, for Messrs Royds Bros, and Kirk, Ltd.’ In April 1908, the Royal Hotel was demolished to make way for Kirk and Royd’s new store. The Southern Cross described the new building as having a frontage of 104 feet to Tay Street, and 186 feet to Nith Street. There were two ‘large shops’ on the ground floor as well as offices to be occupied by Dalgety and Company, as well as offices and stores occupied by Royd Bros. and Kirk. The first floor was let, with its two large rooms which were suitable for warehousing or which could be partitioned into offices. The building was completed by December 1908. Land titles indicate that the Kirk and Royds leased the land until the 1950s, after which they transferred the lease to Rae Alan Limited. In later years, the building was owned by Guthrie Bowron Limited, and by Craig Printing Company Limited. In 2018, it houses offices and shops.

Kirk and Royds’ Building (Former), Invercargill. Image courtesy of www.flickr.com | Shellie Evans - flyingkiwigirl | 01/01/2014 | Shellie Evans

Kirk and Royds’ Building (Former), Invercargill. Image courtesy of www.flickr.com | itravelNZ® | 04/12/2011 | Natalia Volna - itravelNZ®

Location

Loading

List Entry Information

Overview

Detailed List Entry

Status

Listed

List Entry Status

Historic Place Category 2

Access

Private/No Public Access

List Number

2522

Date Entered

11th November 1983

Date of Effect

11th November 1983

City/District Council

Invercargill City

Region

Southland Region

Extent of List Entry

Extent includes the land described as Lots 1, 3 DP 4837 (SLA3/741) and part of the land described as Legal Road, Southland Land District, and the building known as Kirk and Royds' Building (Former) thereon. Refer to the extent map tabled at the Rārangi Kōrero Committee meeting on 8 March 2018.

Legal description

Lots 1, 3 DP 4837 (SLA3/741) and Legal Road, Southland Land District

Overview

Status
Listed

List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 2

Access
Private/No Public Access

List Number
2522

Date Entered
11th November 1983

Date of Effect
11th November 1983

City/District Council
Invercargill City

Region
Southland Region

Extent of List Entry

Extent includes the land described as Lots 1, 3 DP 4837 (SLA3/741) and part of the land described as Legal Road, Southland Land District, and the building known as Kirk and Royds' Building (Former) thereon. Refer to the extent map tabled at the Rārangi Kōrero Committee meeting on 8 March 2018.

Legal description

Lots 1, 3 DP 4837 (SLA3/741) and Legal Road, Southland Land District

Detailed List Entry

Construction Professional

Biography

Joseph Howie was a well-known Invercargill contractor working from the mid-1880s. Major projects included E.R. Wilson’s Invercargill Town Hall and Theatre (1906) He died in 1912

Name

Joseph Howie

Type

Builder

Biography

Cuthbert John Brodrick (1867-1946) was born in Invercargill, the fifth son of Thomas Brodrick. He was named for his uncle, the well-known Victorian architect Cuthbert Brodrick (1822-1905). Brodrick was educated at Southland Boys High School. In 1884 Brodrick was articled to F.W. Burwell and trained in the classical tradition, travelling to Melbourne with Burwell to complete his training. Brodrick returned to New Zealand in 1891 after architectural draughting in Queensland for the Government. In 1906 he married Jemima ('Nonnie') Thomson, stepdaughter of surveyor John Turnbull Thomson. After practising in Hawera for six years he returned to Invercargill. Brodrick entered into a partnership with his pupil Thomas Royds during World War One. Royds died in 1936. Brodrick retired from practice about 1943. During his career, he served as President of the Institute of Architects in 1911, as Vice-President in 1917, and as a member of the council in 1935. The first building he designed in Invercargill was the Alexandra building. Others (with partner Thomas Royds) included the Italian Renaissance Bank of New South Wales (1912), the Kaiapoi building, the Grand Hotel (1914), the Edwardian Baroque Southland Daily News (1913), the stripped Classical Invercargill Savings Bank (1926), the classical temple Masonic Lodge of St John (1926), the Georgian Waimahaka Homestead, and grandstands for the Southland Racing Club. Brodrick was also a member of the Borough Council for three terms and became Deputy Mayor.

Name

CJ Brodrick

Type

Architect

Construction Details

Start Year

1908

Type

Original Construction

Reference

Completion Date

1st January 2018

Report Written By

Heather Bauchop

Report Written By

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. A fully referenced upgrade report is available on request from the Otago/Southland Area Office of Heritage New Zealand

Further Information

Current Usages

Uses: Accommodation

Specific Usage: House

Uses: Trade

Specific Usage: Office building/Offices

Uses: Trade

Specific Usage: Shop

Former Usages

General Usage:: Accommodation

Specific Usage: House

Kirk and Royds' Building (Former)

Stay up to date with Heritage this month