Queen Street, Auckland

Queen Street is the major commercial thoroughfare of the Auckland CBD in Auckland City, New Zealand's main population centre. It rises from Queens Wharf on the Auckland waterfront, adjacent to the Britomart Transport Centre and the Downtown Ferry Terminal, and extends uphill for almost three kilometres in a mostly straight south-southwesterly direction towards the Karangahape Road ridge, and the residential suburbs in the interior of the Auckland isthmus.

Geography

Named after Queen Victoria, Queen Street was an early development of the new town of Auckland (founded in 1840) although initially the main street was intended to be Shortland Street, running parallel to the shore of Commercial Bay. [cite web|url=http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/?t=345|title=Auckland City History|publisher=Auckland War Memorial Museum|accessdate=2007-06-24] The early route of Queen Street led up the middle of a gully following the bank of the Waihorotiu Stream (later the Ligar Canal). This canal was culverted beneath the street from the 1870s onward, allowing for further development of the street to be undertaken. The course of the stream is still reflected today in the slight bend of lower Queen Street. From north of Shortland Street, Queen Street is built on land reclaimed from the sea in the late 19th century.

There are several other 'Queen Streets' in the greater Auckland area, mostly in suburbs which were once separate towns before being absorbed by a growing central city. Auckland was also called the "Queen City" since before the turn of the 20th Century, though that term is now shadowed by the nickname "City of Sails".

History

Street, Stream & Canal

Settlement in the Queen Street area began in 1841 with a number of wooden buildings along the western side, following the general path of the Horotiu Street according to the plans set out by surveyor Felton Mathew. While the street was metalled in 1843 ('metal' road is a New Zealand term for gravel road), the natural stream still often overflowed its banks, and the area was still swampy to large degrees. This led to canalisation and later covering-over of the stream. [http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/council/projects/cbdproject/queensthistory.asp History of Queen Street] (from the Auckland City Council website. Retrieved 2007-08-15.)]

Mainstreet of Auckland

After a fire in 1858 destroyed around 50 buildings in High Street and Shortland Street, the commercial district began to shift towards Queen Street instead, and the first brick and plaster buildings of the 1860s started to cement this move, with the Bank of New Zealand building (only the facade remaining) being one of the first examples. Fires however still continued the plague the new town, with one in 1873 wiping out another 54 buildings in the Queen Street area between Wellesley Street West and Grey Street (today Greys Avenue). The fires, amongst other things, led to the establishment of the Auckland Volunteer Fire Service.

In the 1880s, the first horse-drawn 'bus' carriages began connecting Queen Street with areas like Ponsonby Road or Remuera. In 1900, the first motorcar was admired on the street, and in 1902, the street was finally asphalted, as the first street in the whole of New Zealand. The same year, the first electric tram also arrived, to provide services until 1956.

The late 1800s and early 1900s saw a wide number of imposing buildings constructed, such as the Smith & Caughey's building, the Auckland Town Hall or the General Post Office at the waterfront, later to become the Britomart Transport Centre. By that time, the street was popular for many events such as parades and festivities, as well as for political activities such as the strike demonstrations of 1913. During the second half of the 20th century, many of the older buildings on Queen Street were also demolished to make space for larger office buildings.

Modern upgrade

Public perception in the early 2000s was that Queen Street has lost some of its good reputation in the last decades, with a rundown streetscape and the loss of several prestigious retailers cited as either causes or effects of this. Auckland City Council decided to address the issue of the 'tired' Queen Street through a major redevelopment of the street.

This involved the widening and relaying of footpaths with basalt kerbstones and paving. Granite insets, designed in consultation with the local Māori (Ngati Whatua iwi), as well as recycled redchip pavers from the existing footpath, were used to denote special areas - such as those related to the existence of the old Waihorotiu Stream. New street furniture (such as multi-purpose poles for lighting, signage and pennants) and new trees and other landscaping were added to create a 'boulevard effect'. [http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/council/projects/cbdproject/queenstproject.asp Auckland's CBD Into the future - Queen Street upgrade] (from the Auckland City Council website)] The liquid ambers and Nikau Palms chosen for the new design touched of heated public discussion in 2006 as their inclusion came at the destruction of previous, established trees (which were not native flora of New Zealand, and thus not retained in the new landscaping plan). [cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/category/story.cfm?c_id=39&ObjectID=10363606|title="The greening of Queen St"|author=Geoff Cumming|publisher="The New Zealand Herald"|date=14 January 2006|accessdate=2007-06-24]

The 2006-2008 project repeatedly increased in cost, from originally NZ$ 23 million to final costs of around NZ$43.5 million, with some elements of the upgrade (such as an improved entrance to Myers Park) falling victim to the blowout." [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/category/story.cfm?c_id=49&objectid=10505897 Final stage more facial than facelift] " - "The New Zealand Herald", Thursday 24 April 2008] While Council noted in June 2007 that progress had often been quicker than expected, [" [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=309&objectid=10446313 Queen St businesses just hanging on] " - "The New Zealand Herald", Monday 18 June 2007] the cost overruns, and the long duration of the construction works - which substantially affected pedestrian and motor vehicle traffic as well as retail sales" [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=250&objectid=10505896 Upsets and outrage from start to finish] " - "The New Zealand Herald", Thursday 24 April 2008] - made the upgrade unpopular in public, at least during the duration. It also became a problem issue for Dick Hubbard in his campaign for reelection to Mayor of Auckland in 2007, and he eventually lost the election.Fact|date=June 2008

Character

Queen Street is known by repute all over the country, even by people who have never seen it. It gives its name to the most expensive square in the New Zealand version of "Monopoly" and to a somewhat disrespectful description of business people with rural investment interests (but without the associated knowledge): 'Queen Street farmers'. The street was also immortalised by The Front Lawn with their song "(It started on) Queen Street".

The street has been the site of numerous parades, marches and other events of political, cultural or sporting nature over the years. Together with adjacent High Street, it is also the main retail precinct of the central city, with most national store, bank and restaurant franchises having a branch on the street. Several important other local businesses, such as the Smith & Caughey's department store, also have flagship branches here.

Transport

Usage proportions

Prior to the 2006-2008 street upgrade, it was surveyed that Queen Street had over 50,000 pedestrians, 40,000 public transport users and 20,000 people in private vehicles using the street daily. It has been predicted by Council that the private car share will drop by around 15%. In an editorial in the "The New Zealand Herald", the Council has been accused of using these numbers - which are claimed to strongly overestimate the amount of public transport users - for political purposes to support its bus lane plans (see below). [" [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/466/story.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10453784 Martin Spencer: Retailers counting cost of bus lanes] " - "The New Zealand Herald", Thursday 26 July 26]

Upgrade priorities

Due to the upgrade construction work on Queen Street, Auckland City reduced traffic lanes for vehicles to one lane in each direction in early 2007. This could in the future potentially become a permanent traffic layout, with extended public transport provisions such as bus lanes as well as cycle lanes proposed for the outer lanes. Also proposed is a 30 km/h speed limit. These measures to be discussed in committee in August 2007 (with public consultation ongoing in the meantime). Four physical lanes are to be kept in any case, mainly to safeguard the street layout for future public transport options like light rail." [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10436179 'Buses first' on new-look Queen St] " - "The New Zealand Herald", Thursday 26 April 2007] " [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10450364 Life to get tough for Queen St car drivers] " - "The New Zealand Herald", Monday 9 July 2007, Page A5]

The proposed changes have been criticised as being introduced 'on the sly' and to the detriment of car users important to the economic health of the CBD. It has also been noted that the bus lanes are to some degree fixing a Council-caused issue, as they are partially intended to recoup journey time lost due to the new signalised pedestrian crossings (see below). Some business owners have noted that they will fight the changes if they are not convinced of proposed mitigation measures, possibly with legal action. Other owners have spoken in favour of the proposal, arguing that it will in fact benefit business." [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10436179 'Buses first' on new-look Queen St] " - "The New Zealand Herald", Thursday 26 April 2007] " [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10450364 Life to get tough for Queen St car drivers] " - "The New Zealand Herald", Monday 9 July 2007, Page A5] " [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/category/story.cfm?c_id=97&objectid=10451249 Brian Rudman: Dedicated followers of visions - but not for bus lanes it seems] " - "The New Zealand Herald", Friday 13 July 2007]

The changes are also to include further improvements to pedestrian facilities, with the total footpath area having increased by 20% to almost 14,000 m²," [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10505411 First the 'massacre' - now the celebration] " - "The New Zealand Herald", Tuesday 22 April 2008] as well as longer traffic signal phases for pedestrians, while three added signalised pedestrian crossings have already been introduced mid-block, at 'accident black spots'. Also already undertaken has been reduction of on-street parking spaces from 81 to 51, part of the prioritisation for pedestrians. The remaining spaces will be reserved short-term parking (i.e. drop-offs, loading). Not included in the design are dedicated bus bays, which some critics have noted as a serious oversight, causing potential delays on the proposed bus lanes." [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=536&objectid=10447462 Pedestrians get the works] " - "The New Zealand Herald", Saturday 23 June 2007]

Former tram network

Until December 1956, trams provided public transport along Queen Street, and it was known as the only street in New Zealand to have had grand unions, double-track to double-track junctions, where trams could go in all directions from all directions. These junctions were at the intersections with Customs Street and Wellesley Street. ["The End of the Penny Section: When Trams Ruled the Streets of New Zealand" - Stewart, Graham; Wellington: Grantham House, Revised Edition 1993, Page 149] Since the closure of Auckland's tram network, Balaclava Junction on Melbourne, Australia's tram network has been the sole grand union left in the Southern Hemisphere.

Buildings and attractions

At the northern waterfront entrance to Queen Street is Queen Elizabeth II Square, often referred to as QEII Square. Around this area are several significant buildings including the:

* Auckland Ferry Building, 1911. Alexander Wiseman architect. This brick and sandstone building is in the Edwardian Baroque style. It was renovated in 1986 at a cost of $11 million.

* (Former) Chief Post Office, 1910. John Campbell architect. Opened by Prime Minister William Massey before a crowd of over 8,000. This Edwardian Baroque building of limestone and granite has recently been incorporated into the Britomart Transport Centre. Campbell was the Government Architect, and consequently this building has similar feature to the New Zealand Parliament Buildings in Wellington, which were constructed around the same time.

* (Former) Custom House, 1888. Thomas Mahoney architect, 22 Custom St. This building displays the mansard roofs typical of the French Second Empire Style. In 1909 an addition was built to the south [now demolished] . Prior to the Town Hall's opening in 1911 several departments of the Auckland City Council were located here. The Custom House has been recently renovated for retail use.

Many large corporations, insurance companies and banks had substantial buildings on Queen Street and in some cases their head offices were located here rather than in Wellington (the capital). Between Custom Street & Wellesley Street, Queen Street is lined with retail and office buildings. This section of the street is where the majority of the high-rise buildings are located. These are mostly 20th century in origin, although a number of 19th century structures survive. The most significant buildings along the middle part of the street are the:

* Dilworth Building, 1927. Gummer & Ford architects. 22 Queen St. Envisaged as one of a pair of buildings flanking the entrance to Queen Street and thus being a "Gateway to Auckland". The use of electric cranes rather than hydraulic meant a very short construction period. The Dilworth Building is a reinforced concrete structure encased in Portland stone. William Gummer had been trained in the offices of Sir Edwin Lutyens, and this building shows influence of this connection.

* Bank of New Zealand Building, 1865. Leonard Terry architect. 125 Queen St. Built of stone imported from Hobart, Australia, this building was originally only five bays wide, and in 1882 two more bays were added on the Queen Street facade. In 1986 this building was substantially altered, and now only the facade remains, attached to a large high rise office building.

* Strand Arcade, 1900. 233-237 Queen St. Commissioned by Sir Arthur Myers, with the latest in lifts, ventilation and lighting. Renovated in 1970 this Edwardian shopping arcade has remained largely unaltered.

* Landmark House, Former Auckland Electric Power Board Building 1927. Wade & Bartley architects. Cnr Queen St & Durham St east. This is an example of the early Art Deco - gothic skys style. The design emphasises the vertical, drawing on references from Chicago and New York skyscrapers of the period. The Auckland Electric Power Board used the building as a form of advertising by flood lighting the exterior.

* Vulcan Buildings, 1928. Holman Moses & Watkins architects. This elegant building stands prominently on the southern corner of Vulcan Lane and Queen Street, and has design influences principally from Neoclassical architecture, but also the English Arts and Crafts movement. A defining feature is the cupola on the top of the building. The building also marks a significant change in built form of Central Auckland, as the city was being transformed from the low-rise buildings of the 19th century to the high-rise buildings of the 20th century."A Guide to the Architecture of Central Auckland" - Errol Haarhoff. Balasoglou Books 2003]

* Auckland Savings Bank Building, 1884. Edward Bartley architect. 260 Queen St. This is an example of the mid Victorian italianate style. The facade displays columns and panels of coloured marble and granite. In the 1980s this building became a McDonalds restaurant, although the facade and interior remain largely intact due to a sensitive renovation.

Beyond the Wellesley Street intersection lies the midtown district, with its entertainment and civic focus, centred around Aotea Square. Here are located most of the important Civic buildings, including the:

* Auckland Art Gallery, 1887. Grainger & D'Ebro architects. Cnr Kitchener St & Wellesley St. This is one of Auckland's most attractive buildings. The Melbourne architects won a public competition with their design of a French Chateau in the style of Francois II. Only after the opening of the Town Hall in 1911 and the new Public Library in 1971 was this building devoted exclusively to the Art Gallery.

* Auckland Civic Theatre, 1929. Bohringer, Taylor & Johnson architects. 269 Queen St. This is one of the best remaining examples of an atmospheric theatre. Monumental Art Deco stripped-classical facade hides a lavish Hollywood inspired interior. The lobby is a reproduction of an Indian rock temple decorated with 500 elephants. The auditorium is decorated as an open courtyard in ancient Baghdad, the ceiling imitating the night sky with hundreds of electric stars placed as they appear in the southern sky. Extensively renovated in 1994 it is now part of a larger entertainment and retail complex.

* Auckland Town Hall, 1911. J. Clark & Sons architects. 303 Queen St. A Melbourne firm designed this building in the English Baroque style. It is built of Melbourne Bluestone and Oamaru stone with art nouveau leadlight windows. The main auditorium has excellent acoustics being based upon the famous Gewandhaus Concert Hall in Leipzig, Germany. The large pipe organ was donated by Sir Henry Brett, a former mayor of Auckland. This building was renovated in the late 1990s and continues to be widely considered as Auckland's premier concert venue.

* Aotea Centre, 1990. Ewen Wainscott architect. Initially proposed in 1949 as the Auckland Centennial Hall, construction of this building was delayed for several decades. Intended to supplant the town hall, when it opened it was found to have acoustical problems resulting in a costly refit. Complaints from performers over many years resulted in the renovation of the Town Hall. The lobby of the Aotea Centre contains many art works by New Zealand artists.

* Council Administration Block, 1966. Tibor K.Donner architect. Considered a positive example of 1950s modernism, which contrasts the earlier 1911 Town Hall on the far side of Aotea Square. Is also considered to be Auckland's first 'skyscraper'.

Further up Queen Street beyond Mayoral Drive is the uptown district, centred on Myers Park. This is often referred to as Upper Queen Street, although that actually refers to a legally separate continuation of Queen Street located on the other side of the K'Road ridge. The most significant buildings in this area are the:

* Theosophical Society Building, 1923. Henry Robinson architect. Located at the Queen St entrance to Myers Park this is a fine example of interwar neo-classical architecture for the Theosophical Society. Recently renovated as a 'gentlemen's club' called 'The White House'.

* Myers Free Kindergarten 1916 B.Chilwell & R.Trevithick architects. Designed as a large homely cottage this brick and stucco building is located in the middle of the 1914 Myers Park. An example of Arts & Crafts architecture which still operates as a kindergarten.

* .

Beyond the Karangahape Road ridge the southernmost 500 metres of the street is officially known as Upper Queen Street, which crosses the eastern part of the Central Motorway Junction, the largest interchange on the New Zealand State Highway network.

References

*"The Lively Capital, Auckland 1840-1865" - Una Platts, Avon Fine Prints Limited New Zealand 1971.
*"The Heart of Colonial Auckland, 1865-1910" - Terence Hodgson. Random Century NZ Ltd 1992.
*"Colonial Architecture In New Zealand" - John Stacpoole. A.H & A. W Reed 1976
*"Decently And In Order, The Centennial History of the Auckland City Council" - G.W.A Bush. Collins 1971.
*"Auckland Through A Victorian Lens" - William Main. Millwood Press 1977.
*"Auckland City Heritage Walks" - Susan Yoffe & Tania Mace, 2005

External links

* [http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/council/projects/cbdproject/queensthistory.asp History of Queen Street] (from the Auckland City Council website)