Red Post Building, 79-87 Devon Street East (1910/11)

This building at 79-87 Devon Street East is described in the 1995 N.P.D.C. CBD Heritage Study as "an interesting piece of classical design, significant principally for its appropriate scale and streetscape value."

While the interior has been modified extensively, the original exterior decorative work above the verandah level, remains intact.

Notable local architect Frank Messenger designed the building. On 27 September 1910 a permit was issued to Burgess and Fraser for the erection of a furniture factory designed by Messenger - this was then occupied by Red Post Furniture Co. On 12 July 1911 a permit was issued to J.H. Parker for the erection of a shop, again designed by Frank Messenger at a cost of £2,300. Both were erected on section number 897, with the earlier permit thought to relate to the rear Red Post workshop building, and the later permit relating to the Red Post showroom building on Devon Street - both are now connected to form one large building. Subsequent additions have extended the building through to Gill Street.

In October 1911 the Taranaki Herald reported that "Mr J. H. Parker, who is largely interested in the Red Post Furnishing Company, and who is now erecting what will be the finest reinforced concrete building that has ever been erected in this province". This building is one of the earliest surviving reinforced concrete shops in Taranaki, and probably the oldest reinforced concrete building on Devon Street - according to the Herald, "over six tons of indented steel bars have been used in the concrete, the building having been made strong enough to at some future stage carry a third story".

In 1921 the business was bought by Albert Purser and renamed Purser's Ltd. The name later changed to Purser's Bros. Ltd. The company leased the building until 1953 when they purchased it from the Dingle Estate.

NPDC gave the owners of this building $50,000 in 2018 from the 'Built, Cultural and Natural Heritage Fund' for earthquake strengthening. 

Related items:

Town Section 897, Taranaki Land Deed Index I1 page 132 and I13 page 337. (Archives New Zealand)

Purser's Ltd History, Fred Butler collection (ARC2007-73) 

Purser's at Winter Show (Taranaki Herald 12 June 1924)

Albert Purser Obituary (Taranaki Herald 12 September 1952)

Fifty Five Years Ago! (Advertisement in TNL Centennial Supplement 1976)

Sale of furniture business (Taranaki Herald 22 October 1976)

Faith in Taranaki: Irvin & Stern Advertisement (Taranaki Herald 27 November 1984)