So, here we are. Standing in front of the New Zealand Breweries Tower, a grand relic of Wellington’s industrial past. This tower, a testament to the city’s brewing heritage, stands strong, a silent observer of a bygone era.
It was a time of bustling activity. In 1915, the tower was built as part of a larger brewery complex. The brewery, established by John and William Staples in 1866, produced a beer known as ‘Red Band,’ named after the red bands on the brewery’s beer casks. Imagine the sounds of the city, bustling with life, the rhythmic clang of machinery, the hiss of steam, and the aroma of barley and hops filling the air.
The Staples brothers ran the brewery for over two decades. But in 1889, the company was purchased by J. Staples and Company, headed by businessman Martin Kennedy. They amalgamated it with the Junction Brewery, centralizing operations at this Thorndon site. This tower, you see, was at the heart of it all. It served as a vital component of the brewing process, a symbol of the city’s brewing tradition.
The tower has witnessed significant changes over the years. In 1923, ten breweries, including Staples, merged to form New Zealand Breweries. This was a major shift for the industry, consolidating its power into a national entity. The company, which eventually became Lion Nathan, relocated its operations in 1988, leaving this tower as a relic of the brewery’s legacy.
Today, the tower is part of a Thorndon New World supermarket complex. It’s a fascinating contrast—a historical industrial monument standing amidst bustling modern commerce. The tower’s brickwork, its gables and parapets, tell a story of craftsmanship and ambition. The distinctive lantern ventilator at the top, a beacon of the past, still catches the light, whispering tales of brewing days gone by. It serves as a reminder of the city’s rich heritage, its industrial past and the unwavering spirit of those who brewed the nation’s beer.