Gallery conversion, lodge on heritage list
Two Taranaki buildings have been recognised as places of significance by Heritage New Zealand.
Egmont Chambers, built in 1920, in Stratford, and Rahiri Lodge, built in 1929, on the edge of Te Papakura o Taranaki (Egmont National Park), have been listed as category-2 historic places on the New Zealand Heritage List/ Ra¯rangi Ko¯rero.
Category 2 recognises places that are of historical or cultural significance or value.
The list identifies and provides information on significant heritage places throughout New Zealand but does not equal automatic protection or prevent places being altered or sold.
It can, however, provide funding opportunities such as the National Heritage Preservation Incentive Fund and can also lead to heritage properties being considered for inclusion in district plan heritage schedules.
Stuart Greenhill and Jo Stallard bought Egmont Chambers in 2016 and turned it into a gin-distilling, coffee-roasting art gallery, Fenton Street Art Collective, in 2018. They also converted the upstairs into their living quarters.
Greenhill said their main reason for buying the building was to preserve the heritage aspect.
‘‘We looked everywhere in New Zealand for a building to save.
‘‘We’ve ticked off our goal so are looking for something else.’’
There were a number of criteria they needed to fulfil to get the building listed and had spent the past four years ticking them off.
In a statement, Heritage NZ senior heritage assessment adviser Blyss Wagstaff said Egmont Chambers signified Stratford’s maturation, transitioning from wooden to permanent brick, concrete and steel structures in the inter-war years.
‘‘The building has architectural significance as an enduring and elegant example of the stripped classical style, with a clear design connection to Stratford architect John D Healy’s other work in the town centre.’’
Rahiri Lodge, which sits at the Egmont Rd entrance to Taranaki Maunga, was designed by the Park Board’s honorary architect Horace Victor Samuel Griffiths and constructed by Boon Bros Ltd.
It was built to house a permanent gatekeeper who collected tolls and controlled motor traffic up and down the mountain road.
The property, which was substantially upgraded in 2003, is managed as a historic asset by the Department of Conservation and is currently privately tenanted.