A journey through time

Queens Gardens Memorial gates, the Nelson Institute Building on Hardy Street built in 1912, the Trafalgar Hotel at 175 which was built in 1908 and demolished in 1966, and the original Nelson Hospital.

Down at 243 lies ‘The Ritz Louis Kerr Ltd’ building, also built by Mr Griffin in 1930. Gustaves Menswear have long sold their fashionable wares from this building, but sadly, after 40 years in business and a clientele that included a former prime minister and various visiting celebrities, their closed their doors earlier this year. The Trathens building which once stood at 191 Trafalgar Street is also a string on Mr Griffins bow, boasting an iconic facade with a beautiful roofline window. The 1920s building was constructed in the Neo Mannerist style and had a Category 2 Heritage listing. It was somewhat controversially demolished in 2016.

The Glasgow Building at 281 Trafalgar Street was built in 1889 for the New Zealand Insurance Company. It was taken over in 1916 by solicitors and used as legal offices until 1979 and then as council offices before its conversion in 1992 to the Victorian Rose. Now known as The Vic Public House, it is a popular bar and restaurant for locals and visitors, especially over the summer months and since the top of Trafalgar Street became permanently pedestrianfriendly in October 2019.

The beautiful brick building at 240 Trafalgar Street, nestled between ANZ and Whitcoulls, has a Category 2 Heritage listing and was built in 1929 in the Edwardian Baroque style by Houlker and Duke architects, while the former PSIS building at 194-196 Trafalgar Street, with timber rusticated weatherboards, is also a Category 2 listed heritage building which was completed at a much earlier date, in 1880.

Further down the street at 91 Trafalgar you will find a fine example of Art Deco, Art Moderne style, which houses State Cinemas. Designed by H. Francis Willis and built by James Baird, the building was opened in 1936 as the State Chambers. With a Heritage B Historic Places Trust listing it was redeveloped in 1992, and refurbished in 2012, retaining the original exterior. It is considered one of the gateways to the city, and has long been a landmark of lower Trafalgar Street.

The Trafalgar Street Bridge was constructed in 1927 and dedicated to the memory of the city’s pioneers. Dotted with weatherboard cottages just a stones throw from one of the oldest established residential regions in the CBD, the street leads on to Trafalgar Park. First developed in 1888 as a venue for cricket, football, cycling and athletics, land was reclaimed from the mudflats to create the park and the City Council bought the land in 1891.

Of course, many buildings of historical significance remain dotted around the region, but focusing on the Upper Trafalgar Street precinct which, rightly so, holds a Historic Places registration, the area’s remaining heritage buildings testify to the importance of Nelson in Victorian and Edwardian times. In what is now recognised as a key moment in the history of building preservation in New Zealand, when the Nelson Provincial Government Buildings on Albion Sq were demolished in 1969, an active preservation lobby was formed in Nelson. The lobby failed to prevent the demolitions of notable buildings such as the Municipal Building of 1903 and the Post Office of similar era, but they managed to secure some successes including the South Street precinct, Melrose House and Fairfield House.

Respect – Inspire – Support - Empower

A specialist family violence organisation. We help people understand that respectful relationships are safe relationships. We can help you grow the safety and respect within your whānau.

RISE

Level three, 295 Trafalgar St

P: 03 548 3850 rise.net.nz

Sanctuary in the city

Koru Centre is a true sanctuary in the city, offering healing arts, yoga, Pilates, and more. The spacious studio is hired out for seminars, and events. Come find your bliss.

Koru Centre 021 794 500 korucentre.co.nz 243 Trafalgar Street

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