THIS BUILDING’S DIVERSE LIST OF FORMER TENANTS PROVIDES A PERFECT SNAPSHOT OF AUCKLAND’S HISTORY. TODAY IT IS HOME TO TWO CREATIVE BRANDING COMPANIES AND A RETAIL SHOWROOM.

The original vacant site was leased by John Spedding in 1905, and later sold to Whangarei merchant Samuel Rawnsley.

Rawnsley chose the property to be the Auckland branch of his kauri gum business, and commissioned architect John Currie to design a three-storey building for the site.

In 1913 Rawnsley added a fourth storey, also designed by Currie, at a cost of £1,052. He later sold the building to grain and seed merchant Frank Winston for  £11,000 in 1920.

In 1937 the building was purchased by the Newdick brothers, who made extensive alterations, including adding a bakery to the third floor. The brothers were cake manufacturers and produce merchants, and for a time the building carried their name.

From baking to branding

When the Newdicks ceased trading in 1952, the New Zealand Government took over the lease and the Auckland Harbour Board Stores Department moved in. The building was subsequently occupied by freight forwarding company Altrans and the New Zealand Harbour Board Workers Union.

Later, as the nature of the waterfront changed, the building was acquired by Auckland City Council and Auckland Regional Council.

Today the Altrans Building has been cleaned out and is leased on an interim basis. The ground floor is home to The Outdoor Room showroom of Coast New Zealand, and the upper levels to event and corporate branding specialists Network Visuals and creative and design consultancy Milk.

The Altrans Building will be fully renovated as part of the Britomart redevelopment programme.

Read more about the history of Britomart

IN THIS BUILDING

Ground floor
Coast New Zealand

Level 1
Touch Of Spice
Coliseum Sports Media Management

Level 2
Network Visuals

Level 3
Milk

Location