8 | Art Deco Trust T T Kim Newth New purpose for historic building REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT A modest brick building in Napier’s Memorial Square embodies a rich history that’s now in safe hands, with a significant restoration underway to give the Category 1 heritage building a new lease of life as a vibrant community facility. Known as the Memorial Square Community Rooms, it started life as an unusually utilitarian First World War memorial. Named the ‘Women’s Rest’, the building opened on Anzac Day 1926 as a sanctuary for Napier’s women, mothers and children at a time when public toilets and facilities for women were non-existent, and was built as a companion to the city’s Cenotaph, (completed in 1924). Esteemed Napier architect James Augustus ‘Louis’ Hay, who was strongly influenced by American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, designed the Women’s Rest building in the Prairie style. While damaged in the 1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake, the building survived and became a focal point within Napier’s ‘Tin Town’, a temporary centre constructed in 1933 to help businesses get back on their feet after the quake. By 1934, the Women’s Rest had been restored and reopened. It served the needs of the community well through succeeding decades, hosting groups like the Merchant Navy Club, a ballet studio and the Citizens Advice Bureau before its closure in 2013 due to seismic concerns. The restoration, now in full swing, is being undertaken by the Art Deco Trust in partnership with the Napier City Council, and with generous support from the Lottery Grants Board Environment and Heritage Fund, Earnshaw Holdings Ltd and various other individuals and organisations. Driving the restoration is a vision to repurpose this precious building in a way that honours its heritage, while also strengthening it and updating it for modern use. It will be fully insulated, equipped with efficient heating/cooling systems and smart lighting as well as being strengthened in line with modern building codes. “Our project architect Gavin Cooper is completely in sympathy with the heritage of this building,” observes Jeremy Smith, Art Deco Trust heritage manager. “He’s working closely with Ann Galloway, our heritage architect on the project. They are on site at least once a week to monitor the work of the construction team (Alexander Construction).” Main Office 021 450 732 P: 06 843 5773 F: 06 843 3945 E: wynandsmasonry@gmail.com PO Box 5135, Greenmeadows, Napier 4145 www.wynandsmasonry.com · Bricklaying · Blocklaying · Stone Masonry · Tiling · Solid Plastering WYNANDS MASONRY 2015 LTD HPM is a locally owned business and we proudly support any project that provides for the development of our wonderful city. We are passionate about construction projects, from the commencement of turning an idea into reality through to the final completion. Please contact us if you wish to discuss your project. halcyonprojectmanagement.co.nz rodney@halcyonpm.co.nz +64 21 745 870 The team at HPM wishes to thank all those involved in this inspirational project. We were proud to support the development and we look forward to assisting with future opportunities. 027 733 7717 www.baywideplumbing.co.nz Baywide Plumbing is a family owned and operated business with experience and knowledge in all aspects of plumbing. Whether you are renovating your home, building, starting up a new business or managing an industrial project we assure you, you’ll receive the highest quality of workmanship from our team. Plumbing • Drainlaying • Gasfitting
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=