The James Smith Corner, a name that echoes with Wellington’s history. Stand here, right in front of this grand building, and let the stories unfold. The Corner has witnessed more than a century of change, from the bustle of commerce to the whispers of forgotten memories. It was once a bustling department store, a haven for shoppers seeking everything from fashionable clothing to household goods. The building, with its iconic Art Deco facade designed in 1932, tells a tale of prosperity and progress. Imagine the streets teeming with shoppers, drawn by the allure of James Smith & Sons, a name synonymous with quality and style. But this building, a testament to the city’s resilience, has survived far more than just the ebb and flow of fashion.
The corner was once known as “Winder’s Corner”, named after George Winder, an ironmonger who built the original structure in 1907. He envisioned a space that could withstand the weight of his heavy goods, and so the floors were designed to support over triple the expected weight. The building was designed by architects Penty and Blake. The story of James Smith, however, began long before the Art Deco facade was added. He arrived in Wellington in 1863, a young man with a dream of building a thriving business. He started with a drapery store on the corner of Cuba and Dixon Streets, known as Te Aro House. Though his first endeavour met with success, it ultimately faced financial setbacks.
Over time, the corner became synonymous with James Smith & Sons, a testament to the family’s entrepreneurial spirit and the building’s adaptability. It was a place where generations of Wellingtonians shopped. This corner wasn’t just about goods; it was about community, about sharing a piece of Wellington’s life. The building, with its grand facade and intricate details, stands as a relic of a bygone era but still whispers tales of the city’s past and the enduring influence of a man named James Smith.