[2] Melville proposed a community hall in the central city as a centenary project to mark 100 years since the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi and to commemorate the work of pioneer women in the establishment and development of Auckland.

The original building, named the Pioneer Women's & Ellen Melville Memorial Hall, was designed by Auckland City Chief Architect Tibor Donner.

[3][4] It cost £56,200, including a £30,000 donation from the Queen Street Business Association, £19,000 from the Auckland City Council and £8,000 raised by 64 women’s organisations.

[5] The centre has five bookable spaces available for community use, with classes and programmes run by organisations including the Plunket Society.

[1] The five rooms are each named after a prominent woman from the region: Helen Clark, Betty Wark, Elizabeth Yates, Marilyn Waring and Eleitino (Paddy) Walker.