Imagine if buildings could talk. What tales would the Dilworth Building at the corner of Customs Street and Queen Street tell? This heritage mixed-use building stands as a testament to Auckland’s past.
The Dilworth Building was erected between 1925 and 1927. William Gummer and Reginald Ford designed it. It is now a Category I Historic building. Heritage New Zealand recognizes it as such.
Picture Auckland in the 1920s. The Dilworth Building was envisioned as one half of a grand gateway to the city. This visionary concept never fully materialized. The mirroring building was never constructed.
James Dilworth commissioned the building. He intended it as a rental property. The rental income would fund students at the Dilworth Ulster Institute. This later became Dilworth School. The Dilworth Trust Board office was originally on the 9th floor. The rest of the building was leased to tenants. The Dilworth Trust sold the building in the 1980s. It still retains some original interiors.
During World War II the Dilworth Building played a vital role. It served as headquarters for the U.S. Army. The American consulate was once housed here.
The Dilworth Building has undergone extensive conservation work. Salmond Reed Architects assessed the building’s condition. They found that deferred maintenance had caused deterioration. Urgent repairs were needed to prevent water penetration. The repairs also made the building weather-tight. The work involved traditional materials and trades. Craftspeople repaired the steel roof covering and timber supports. They replaced cracked asphalt and slate. They repaired copper spouting and cast iron downpipes. They conserved deteriorating rendered surfaces. Repairs were also made to the Portland stone.
Stories suggest that the Dilworth Building may have ghostly residents. Tenants have reported items moving. One tenant was awakened by someone shouting. Another was slapped awake by an unseen intruder. A former resident claimed to have been chased down a stairwell. Construction workers reported footsteps when the building was empty.
The Dilworth Building stands as a proud landmark. Its distinctive corner turret makes it prominent. Its history echoes through its walls. The Dilworth Building remains a vital part of Auckland’s architectural heritage.