In April 1910, the Public Conveniences and Former Tram Shelter was opened on the corner of Symonds Street and Grafton Bridge.

[1][3][4] Previously the closest toilets with access for women were at the public libraries and Smith & Caughey's department store.

[1] In 2020–2022, a major conservation project costing NZ$910,000 worked to reinstate many of the earlier features of the structure.

[7] The Public Conveniences and Former Tram Shelter is a single-storey, Edwardian Baroque, masonry building designed by Walter Ernest Bush, the architect of the Grafton Bridge.

[1] The main façade facing towards the end of Karangahape Road has a wide central archway with arched windows on either side.