Grand Hotel (Auckland)
With its vaulted ceilings, ornate mantelpieces, and red carpet, the Grand Hotel was a plush and social rendezvous from its opening.
"The Grand Hotel fairly shouts Victoriana from the ornate facade and wrought iron balconies to the marble statuary and plush gloominess of its interior.
– New Zealand Herald 21 May 1966 The Grand Hotel architect was Mr William Skinner, designed in 1887, costing no more than £3000.
In 1913, a large extension to the Grand Hotel was completed which included a new dining room, kitchen, scullery, and open-cage lift.
The Grand Hotel was opened on 21 April 1889 by Mr Frank Gaudin for the purpose of receiving the Earl and Countess of Onslow on their arrival from Britain.
At the time of the fire the hotel had just finished being refurbished in anticipation of hosting the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall during their stay in Auckland as part of the 1901 Royal Tour.
The fire was not the end for the Grand Hotel and it was soon rebuilt, incorporating the original ornate plastered brick street frontage and side walls.
9in x 22.5in H Moore Sailing vessels off the cost Watercolour Signed and dated 1875 14in x 21in Theo Weber Ships off a pier Oil on canvas Signed 18in x 28in S. R. Percy Mountain Landscape Oil on canvas 22in x 30in J Cardow A sailing boast off the coast Oil on canvas Signed and dated 1869 30in x 56in Charles Bentley Sailing boats off a stormy coast Oil on canvas 34in x 54in In the lounge of the Grand Hotel was a 3-metre x 1.9m fireplace surround and mirror overmantle carved by notable Maori carver Tene Waitere, commissioned in 1887.
Well known guests over the years include: Queen Elizabeth II, Randolph Churchill, Noël Coward, Captain Musick, Ignacy Jan Paderewski, George Formby, Todd Duncan, Webster Booth, Mountbattens, Lord Montgomery, Gracie Fields, Anthony Eden, Duke of Edinburgh, Lord Denning, Dame Margot Fonteyn, Jean Batten, innumerable prime ministers and governors-general.
A few weeks later the bar closed "quietly and sedately, as befits the grand old lady of Princes Street" and the building was converted into offices.
A notable tenant was the Chartered Accountancy firm, Buddle & Co, whose board room on the first floor and a balcony were part of the Royal Suite used by dignitaries, including Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh.
Demolition began and in 1988 and before long nothing was left of the old hotel other than the bare facade, incorporated into the glass tower which is now the headquarters of dairy company Fonterra.
In 2016 it was announced that the facade of the Grand Hotel and Freemason's Hall will be preserved while the office tower behind will be converted into apartments, known as 'The International', as part of major refurbishments.
Re-design of the project occurred with architects Jasmax and Marchese Partners, while structural strengthening and redesign was completed by Bonacci Group, now Meinhardt-Bonacci.
Fletcher Building was appointed main contractors but pulled out after initial discussions, after which Dominion Constructors were awarded the project.
