12 self-contained rooms. That’s what awaits you at The Prospect of Howick. This isn’t just any accommodation. The Prospect boasts a rich history. Generations have passed through its doors. It started life as the Marine Hotel. Built in 1906 by George Sellwood. Designed by renowned Auckland architect Edward Bartley. The original hotel was a grand affair. It overlooked both sea and land. A true seaside retreat.
But tragedy struck in 1925. A fire destroyed the building. An electric iron left unattended. No fire brigade. No reticulated water. The disaster spurred action. Howick installed water mains and a fire brigade. Undeterred James Fletcher built a replacement. One of his first major Auckland projects. The new brick structure opened in 1930. It offered first-class cuisine. A tariff of three pounds ten shillings a week. Or twelve shillings a day. It became a popular honeymoon destination.
Famous visitors graced The Prospect’s rooms. George Bernard Shaw stayed here in 1934. The hotel hosted countless events. Wedding receptions. Hunt club breakfasts. Even Presbyterian Church teas. In the 1940s and 50s. The publican milked his cows on a three-legged stool. Hotel sheets dried on lines supported by ti tree poles.
The name changed to The Prospect of Howick in 1977. A move away from the ‘booze barn’ image. It embraced Howick’s soldier-settler past. The Prospect continued to evolve. Refurbishments in 2006 brought a modern bar and brasserie. Yet it retains the charm of its village origins.
Today The Prospect of Howick is The Good Home. A vibrant restaurant and bar. It’s a place where history and modernity blend seamlessly. A place to enjoy modern New Zealand cuisine. A place that carries on a legacy. A legacy spanning over a century. It’s a place where you can experience a piece of Howick’s story. Each stay is a chapter. A chapter in the ongoing story of The Prospect.