Tuesday, 8 June 2021

Auckland Metropolis Museum


In amongt the modern new highrise buildings in Auckland City is this smaller vintage building that is currently for sale (I'd buy it if I had the money).  

My research found that: 

"It was designed by English-born architect Charles Towle and erected in the early 1930s as the Church of Christ, Scientist, the building's Graeco-Roman facade has towering columns that frame its impressive entranceway, with three ornate timber doors decorated with leadlight inserts providing access to the expansive foyer.

Arched ceilings dominate the former congregational high stud space beyond the foyer and numerous picturesque windows provide a light, airy feel and an ambience many office buildings lack.

The building housed congregational and Sunday school services for 70 years until it was sold and converted into office space in 2003. A significant refurbishment was also carried out with care taken to ensure that the building's distinctive character remained intact.

Special architectural features that have been retained include the timber joinery and flooring, ornate windows and doors and ceiling cornices.  Lighting is a mix of contemporary and ornate fittings.

The 90sq m entrance lobby now doubles as a gallery and workroom space. The former main congregational area accommodates office space, with a meeting room and boardroom table in the centre of the polished concrete floor.

Partitioning on either side provides separate work spaces and amenity areas, while a lunchroom with modern facilities is situated at one end.

The original podium and organ room have also been glazed to form executive offices and meeting rooms.

"The pastor rooms and a 'circulation corridor', that provided access to the rear of the building for the pastors, without their having to walk through the main auditorium, also live on, providing the building with a sense of history and intrigue," says Haydock.

The property has an Auckland Council Heritage B rating and is in good condition for a building of its age having a recent seismic assessment of 80 per cent of the New Building Standard."

You can see interior photos of the building here.  Linking up with Our World Tuesday, Tuesday Travel, Through my lens, Tuesday Treasures, My corner of the world, Wordless Wednesday.

16 comments:

Lydia C. Lee said...

I wonder what will go in - cool bar or restaurant...? #ThruMyLens

Tom said...

...it looks so small next the modern buildings.

William Kendall said...

A beautiful building.

Veronica Lee said...

An impressive building. Great shot, Amy.

Fun60 said...

Despite its stature amongst those more modern buildings it stands out as an attractive building. Glad it has been listed as worth preserving and given a new life.

Shiju Sugunan said...

Beautiful building. Hope it won't be demolished by the new buyer to build a highrise.

s.c said...

Good be a fantastic home for someone.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Oh my gosh what a beauty Amy, the 1920/30's was such a good time for architecture. Loved the link to the interior, gorgeous.. especially the main hall, the ceilings are stunning 💜

magiceye said...

Very impressive building.

Bill said...

A beautiful building, nice capture Amy.

Klara said...

wow, that is cool. would be interesting to see what it will become of it. fine architecture.

NCSue said...

I like this architecture - a classic structure.
Thanks for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2021/06/woodpeckers-visit.html

Susan Heather said...

What a wonderful building - I had never heard of it although I must have driven past numerous times.

betty-NZ said...

Interesting architecture. It actually reminds me of other CoCScientist reading rooms I've seen.

I'm happy you chose to share your link at 'My Corner of the World' this week!

Tigger's Mum said...

It must feel rather overshadowed by all the modern glass and steel. I've only been once (and briefly) to New York, and churches there made strange neighbours to the modern and commercial buildings around them - like saying "once there were homes and people living around here...."

Unknown said...

Just drove past this building and wondered what it is. Found this article and wow. Awesome write up. Thanks so much for this

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