£2000 worth of Edwardian red-brick glory, opened 14 February 1902 -- a considerable Valentine's Day gift to the community of Onehunga back then if ever there was one! Surrounding buildings were festooned with flags as the townspeople listened to Sir Joseph Ward as he made his commemorative speech. The red bricks are now covered with modern paint, but the old Post Office still stands. Today, it serves as a Columbus Coffee place. One of the better ones, I might add. Very good English Breakfast tea in a pot.
This was another of Onehunga's landmarks where the people battled to save it from being considered for demolition -- and I thank them, for they've left all of Auckland with another of our treasures from the past for the future to enjoy. It has a category 2 listing with the NZ Historic Places Trust.
My partner used to own this a few years back and made it in to a restaurant ;)
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Sandy
He did a great job, if his fittings are still in there. A thoroughly nice place for a cuppa.
ReplyDeleteNo i think Columbus pretty much stripped it out once they took over. Partner and then wife did much work to the building to maintain it's integrity and when they had it, it was very tastefully done and was a most popular restaurant at a time previous to when there were so many eateries down that area :)
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S