The first part of this building was built in 1915 for the local Municipal Electrical Department. A building permit was issued on 2 March 1915 for "substation B.C.', with the estimated cost being £6,082. The architect was Wellington-based C. Tilleard Natusch. (Taranaki Daily News 28 May 1915)
The Taranaki Herald reported on 2 October 1915 that the building was expected to be completed shortly and described the building as, "...an exceptionally handsome one, and is a great credit to New Plymouth. The contractors were noted as Messrs Shaw & Payne.
It was located on town section number 968 on the corner of Liardet and Courtenay Streets.
At least by 1918, and possibly earlier, the building was also the offices of the New Plymouth Borough Council. Plans were drawn up in 1929 for a south wing which almost doubled the size of the building. The extension, completed in 1936, was designed to compliment the existing building.
In 1988 the building was demolished to make way for the present New Plymouth District Council Civic Centre.
Related documents:
Electricity Department Advertisement (Taranaki Herald 29 March 1941)
Demolition work timing annoys residents (Taranaki Herald 19 December 1988)
Farewell to a jinxed building (Daily News 19 October 1991)
From the archives: Council HQ's facelift won public blessing (Taranaki Daily News 3 November 2012)
From the archives: Smashed down (Taranaki Daily News 29 June 2013)
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