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Dominion Building, Wellington facts for kids

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Dominion Building
The Dominion building, Mercer Street, Wellington, ca 1940 crop.jpg
The Dominion Building in around 1940
General information
Location 27-35 Mercer Street, Wellington, New Zealand
Coordinates 41°17′19″S 174°46′33″E / 41.2887°S 174.7758°E / -41.2887; 174.7758
Completed 1928
Design and construction
Architect Crichton, McKay and Haughton
Designated: 10 September 1981
Reference #: 1358

The Dominion Building is a special old building in Wellington, New Zealand. You can find it on the corner of Mercer Street and Victoria Street. This building was first built to be the main office for The Dominion newspaper. Today, it has a mix of homes, offices, and shops inside.

What Makes the Dominion Building Special?

The Dominion Building is seven storeys tall and looks very elegant. It has some really cool features that make it stand out.

Unique Design and Materials

  • The front of the building is made from stone. This stone was brought all the way from Caen in France!
  • Inside, you'll find beautiful marble from Queensland, Australia.
  • The building follows the curve of the road, which gives it a unique shape.
  • Its most eye-catching part is a tower on top. This tower is covered in shiny copper and has a small lantern turret.

Who Designed It?

The architects who designed this amazing building were from a firm called Crichton, McKay and Haughton. They finished building it in 1928.

History of the Building

The Dominion Building has an interesting past, changing with the times.

Home of a Newspaper

For many years, the building was the busy headquarters of The Dominion newspaper. Imagine all the news stories being written and printed right there!

A New Chapter

In the mid-1970s, The Dominion newspaper moved to a new location. After that, the building was given a fresh new look. A famous architect named Ian Athfield redesigned the complex in 1995. He helped turn it into the mix of apartments, offices, and shops you see today.

Protecting Our Heritage

The Dominion Building is considered an important part of New Zealand's history.

Heritage New Zealand Category 2

The building is officially listed as a "Category 2" historic place by Heritage New Zealand. This means it's a building with historical or cultural importance. It's recognized for its special design and its role in Wellington's past. This helps make sure it's looked after for many years to come.

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