This building on Devon Street West was built for the clothing retailer Hallenstein Bros. Ltd. in 1956. A building permit was issued on 19 September 1956 to Hallenstein Bros. Ltd. for commercial premises on Lot 1 DP7763, part Town Sections 905, 905A and 906.
The contractor was Snowden Construction Ltd. and the estimated cost £44,166. The building was designed by Taylor & Syme & Associates.
Hallenstein's opened their first store in New Plymouth in 1879, only six years after the formation of the firm in Dunedin. They had occupied this section on Devon Street West since the opening their first store 77 years ago.
The new Hallenstein's store opened on 4 December 1956 offering the "latest facilities for shopping".
On 8 August 1972 a building permit was issued to Hallenstein Bros. Ltd. for internal alterations to the shop with the estimated cost being $15,970.
Demolition of the building, along with the neighbouring Metro Plaza building, began in early March 2026. The project will see the Huatoki Stream opened up after more than a century covered over. The venture is a partnership between NPDC, Ngati Te Whiti and K.D. Holdings the owner of buildings on either side of the Huatoki. The goal is to create a Green space along with a new commercial hub.
On 16 May 2026 (page 3) the Taranaki Daily News reported on the demolition and the "uncovered stories of New Plymouth's retail history".
Related items:
Taranaki DP556 Sheet 1 (1893), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)
Taranaki DP6849 Sheet 1 (1950), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)
Taranaki (Lot 1) DP7763 Sheet 1 (1955), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)
Modern H.B. Store Opens Tomorrow, page 12, page 13 and page 14. (Taranaki Daily News 3 December 1956)
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