“Have you seen the Grand Central Apartments?” I ask you. It was once Auckland’s grand railway station. This building served as the city’s rail terminus for many years. We are standing before a monument to a bygone era. The Old Railway Station whispers tales of bustling platforms. It replaced the Queen Street terminus. The Queen Street site now hosts Britomart. This Old Railway Station opened in 1930 on Beach Road.
The Old Railway Station was built between 1928 and 1930. The New Zealand Public Works Department constructed it. It sits on reclaimed land near the wharves. This location was carefully chosen. The station aimed to be a gateway to Auckland. Its construction cost a significant sum. It was u00a3320,000. That was the largest independent contract awarded in New Zealand then. The Old Railway Station has great historical importance. It is associated with the public building program of the 1920s. Railways played a central role in national transport.
The Old Railway Station became a city landmark. Its beaux-arts brick and mortar design is impressive. Some have called it a monumental public building. William Henry Gummer designed it. He was a student of Sir Edwin Lutyens. Gummer also designed the Dilworth Building in Queen Street.
The station’s facade is symmetrical. It features reinforced concrete faced with brick. Coromandel granite adds to its grandeur. Sweeping ramps flank the building. They enclose a landscaped garden. The design echoes American models. Examples include Union Station in Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania Station in New York City. Some have compared it to Grand Central Terminal. The National Theatre in Melbourne is another comparison.
Ornate public spaces filled the Old Railway Station. It offered many amenities. Waiting rooms, dining areas and shops were available. A first aid station was also present. The metal ceiling in the main lobby is remarkable. It was manufactured in Germany. The parts were shipped and reassembled here. German aggression was a looming threat. The ceiling’s origins were downplayed. The lobby showcases expensive marble. Fine bronze detailing and a terazzo floor add to its beauty. The restrooms had imported panelling and period-style furniture. Porcelain sanitaryware completed the picture.
Underpasses and ramps connected the building to the platforms. Concrete canopies were integral to the design. The station served as Auckland’s main arrival point for rail passengers. Modifications were made over the years.
During the 1990s, the station building was sold. This occurred during the privatization of the New Zealand Railways Corporation. Britomart Transport Centre was planned. It would become the city’s new railway station.
The platforms remained open until July 2003. Britomart then opened. One platform continued to operate. It served peak-hour suburban services. This was known as The Strand Station. Excursion trains occasionally used the platform. The platforms became dilapidated.
In 1999, the station building was converted. It became student accommodation for Auckland University. It was named The Railway Campus. It was the largest of the university’s residences. It had 426 bedrooms in 230 apartments. Qualmark awarded it four stars.
In 2007, weather-tightness problems emerged. Tenants had to leave. A restoration program began. The water leaks affected apartment prices. Prices fell dramatically. In November 2008, the university announced it would no longer use the building. Weather-tightness issues were the cause.
Since the university vacated, it has become the Grand Central Apartments. Platform 8 restaurant occupies the foyer of the 1930 station.
In 2011, the Strand Station reopened. It included the former Platform 7 and Platform 6. These became platforms 1 and 2. The reopening was for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. It served as a backup for Britomart. It became an emergency backup. Newmarket railway station also served as a backup. The Strand Station became the terminus for the long-distance Northern Explorer service in 2011.
Since 2013, the remaining platforms have been converted. They are now a stabling facility for the suburban EMU fleet. The Old Railway Station played a role in film. It featured in the 1984 film Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence. It served as the location for a military tribunal set in Batavia.
Today, the Old Railway Station stands as a reminder of Auckland’s past. Its architecture and history make it a significant landmark. Though its purpose has changed, its grandeur remains. It connects us to the city’s rich heritage. Take a moment to appreciate its beauty. Remember the trains that once arrived and departed here.