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Historic Invercargill

New Zealands southern most city, Invercargill, is still arguably one of the country's most intact from our early development period. While in more recent times a number of fine old buildings have bowed to new structures, Invercargill is still very much the city of consequence it became in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Note: Most of these sites are within just a few blocks of The Victorian Railway Hotel
Water Tower
This 42.5m high city landmark in red brick was completed in 1889 to the design of William Sharp, a former civil engineer for the Public Works Department. The Tower's Romanesque design is emphasised by the polychrome (coloured) brickwork framing the arched windows.
Feldwick Gates, Queen's Park
The elegant entrance to Queen's was constructed by the City of Invercargill in 1924 in memory of John Feldwick (1846 - 1913), a prominent citizen and benefactor who bequeathed a considerable sum of money to develop the park.
Civic Theatre, Tay Street
Invercargill architect E. R. Wilson's winning design for the city's 'front door' has continued to win admiration since the building's completion in 1906. In the English Renaissance style, it contains a 1,050 seat theatre, a smaller concert hall and council offices.
Provincial Council Buildings, Kelvin Street
Originally built in the classic style as a Masonic Hall in 1864, this building became the home of the Southland Provincial Council in 1866. After 1870, when Southland amalgamated with the Otago Provincial Council, the building was used for a time as both Supreme Court and Borough Council Chamber. Today it is owned by the NZ Historic Places Trust and is leased for retail purposes.
St John's Anglican Church, Tay Street
Although the foundation stone for the first part of this major city church was laid as early as 1887, building continued right up to 1976. Architect E. R. Wilson was responsible for the main part, completed in 1913. Worthy of note are the stained glass windows, the Gothic stone tracery and the timber barrel-vaulted ceiling over the sanctuary.
Masonic Lodge, Forth Street
The imposing temple for the Lodge St John was designed by Brodrick and Royds and opened in 1926. Regarded as one of the most impressive lodge buildings in New Zealand, it is constructed of red brick with plastered portico supported by six fluted Doric columns.
First Presbyterian Church, Tay Street
This impressive church in polychrome brick, built in 1915, replaced an earlier church building which had occupied the site since 1863. J. T. Mair, later to become the Government Architect, designed the new church in the Italian Romanesque style. The church features an unusual square tower, arched openings and intricate polychrome brick friezes and motifs.
St Mary's Basilica, Tyne Street
Completed in 1905, St Mary's Roman Catholic Basilica was designed by F. W. Petre in the tradition of his other great Catholic churches built between Dunedin and Wellington. Although he also designed Gothic churches, Petre clearly favoured the Renaissance style for his larger church designs, St Mary's being no exception.
Troopers' Memorial, cnr Dee and Tay Streets
Controversy over the siting of this memorial to fallen soldiers in the Boer War has raged since before its unveiling in 1908 through to the 1970s, many citizens believing a less busy site would be more appropriate. But the classical monument with its Aberdeen granite columns, clock and lone trooper in Italian marble standing aloft still commands attention. The architect was Newton Vane who won the design competition.
Former Bank of New South Wales, cnr Dee and Tay Streets
The former Bank of New South Wales was designed in the Italian Renaissance style by C. J. Brodrick and completed in 1929. The bank building keeps company with two others on the intersection, traditionally known as "Bank Corner"; the former Bank of New Zealand, now the Bethel New Life Centre, was designed in the classical style by F. W. Burwell in 1878 and the former National Bank with its impressive Ionic columns designed by C. J. Brodrick and built in 1926.
Southland Times, Esk Street
This handsome three storied landmark was designed by Invercargill architect C. H. Roberts in 1908 and has been the home of the Southland Times ever since. The Times began production in Invercargill in 1862 and from 1864 until 1908 operated from premises on lower Esk Street.
Invercargill Club, Don Street
McKenzie and Gilbertson designed this impressive club building in 1892. Set back from the street behind a fence (similar to that which surrounds the former Dee Street hospital), the building resembles a stately home rather than an inner city structure. The Invercargill Club for men was established in 1879.
Alexandra Building, Dee Street
Eclecticism, typical of the late Victorian and eraly Edwardian period, runs riot over this prominent commercial city structure. Architect C. J. Bridrick used many of the known styles and no doubt some of his own to create this unique statement in red brick in 1901.
St Paul's Presbyterian Church, Dee Street
Architect F. W. Burwell wanted this church to act as a landmark in a flat city and designed it with a 40m spire. This, however, was never built. Fifty years later a square tower, designed by N. R. Lightbody, was added to house a fine set of bells cast and manufactured in Italy from captured guns. The ceiling is a fine example of hammerbeam construction.
Former Porter's Lodge, Dee Street
This quaint cottage has two unique distinctions. It is now the oldest building in the former Dee Street hospital complex and is reputed to be the oldest house still standing in Invercargill. Built circa 1866, it is currently used as a Citizens Advice Bureau.
Former Dee Street Hospital, Dee Street
Reputed to be the oldest public hospital buildings still on their original site in New Zealand, the two remaining structures from the former hospital complex were designed by F. W. Burwell and built in 1876 and 1879.
Southland Boys' High School, Herbert Street
Completed in 1926, this elegant essay in brick was designed by Government architect John Campbell but was completed by his successor, Invercargill Architect, J.T. Mair who had earlier designed the First Presbyterian Church.
Anderson Park, McIvor Road
Christchurch architect Cecil Wood, noted for his Georgian styles, designed this imposing house in 1923 for Sir Robert Anderson, a prominent Southland businessman and public figure. In 1951 the property, including its parkland and native bush stands, was given to the City of Invercargill. Containing some of its original furnishings, the house is now an art gallery with a fine collection of New Zealand art. It is open to the public from 1:30pm to 4:30pm (summer months) and 2pm to 4:30pm (winter), excluding Mondays.


Victoria Railway Hotel & Gerrard's Restaurant,
Corner Leven & Esk Streets, PO Box 44, Invercargill, New Zealand
Reservations Freephone: 0800 777 557, Phone +64 3 218 1281, Fax +64 3 218 1283
Email res@vrhotel.info

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