Rumor has it that back in the day, a posting at the Wharf Police Building wasn’t exactly a badge of honor. This wasn’t your typical precinct. This was where the city’s underbelly met the sea, a place notorious for dealing with prostitutes and drunks.
Now, standing before the Wharf Police Building, you might never guess its colorful past. This historic building whispers tales of Auckland’s maritime history. It also reflects New Zealand’s developing role in colonial trade.
Let’s step back in time. Before the Wharf Police Building housed law enforcement, it served as the city offices and store for the Colonial Sugar Refining Co. The company spent £5000 on the building in 1904. They wanted something “adequate for New Zealand”.
Fast forward to 1961. The New Zealand Police took over the lease. It was the Wharf Police Station until 1993. Duty officers patrolled the area from the railway station to the downtown area. They maintained security around the port. The wharf police were also responsible for staff on the Hauraki Gulf islands and the crew of the police launch Deodar.
Buildings in the Britomart area faced neglect in the 1980s and 1990s. The Historic Places Trust stepped in and gave formal heritage protection.
A re-establishment program included refurbishment of 18 heritage buildings including the Wharf Police Building. In 2006, Phillimore Properties acquired the station. They invested $1 million to restore it. Ross Healy estimated its value at $4 million after restoration.
The building is registered as Category I by the Historic Places Trust. Auckland City also protects it as a category B building. Specialist stonemasons cleaned the brick facade. They secured the decorative brick parapet on Quay Street.
The northern area once housed police front offices, a lobby, reception counter, and a strong room. The original police desk and mahogany office partitions now form part of the bar. The middle section still has the original toilet block and courtyard from the 1920s. The southern section, originally a sugar store and cart dock, has been refurbished in a modern style.
In 2009, the building underwent full renovations. The northern section retained the original police offices. The middle section containing a 1920s toilet block and courtyard has remained. The southern section was refurbished in a modern style. The roof and ceiling were demolished. A mezzanine floor with an outdoor rooftop terrace was added.
Today, the Wharf Police Building operates as Brew on Quay. It is a popular venue known for its restaurant and bar service. Brew on Quay offers 102 varieties of beer. It focuses on brews from around the world. The bar also has two Victorian style private rooms. Each room seats up to 20 people. The mezzanine rooftop bar is unique in Auckland.
So, next time you raise a glass at Brew on Quay, remember the building’s journey. From sugar store to cop shop to a popular bar. The Wharf Police Building stands as a testament to Auckland’s ever-evolving story.