Kenneth Myers Centre facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kenneth Myers Centre |
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Kenneth Myers Centre, November 2022
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| Former names | 1YA, TVNZ |
| General information | |
| Type | formerly public broadcasting facility and recording studios, now art gallery |
| Architectural style | Neo-Romanesque |
| Location | 74 Shortland Street, Auckland city centre |
| Coordinates | 36°50′48″S 174°46′10″E / 36.84674°S 174.76936°E |
| Completed | 1935 |
| Owner | University of Auckland |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Wade & Bartley |
| Designated: | 15 February 1990 |
| Reference #: | 660 |
The Kenneth Myers Centre is a famous building in Auckland, New Zealand. It used to be called the 1YA Building and then the Television New Zealand building. In 2000–01, the University of Auckland bought it and changed it.
This "strikingly original structure" was built in 1934. It is located on Shortland Street in the Auckland CBD. Heritage New Zealand has listed it as a Category I building, which means it's very important. Today, the Gus Fisher Gallery is inside the building.
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Early Days: A Home for Radio
The Kenneth Myers Centre was first built in 1934. It became the new home for 1YA, one of Auckland’s first radio stations. 1YA started broadcasting in 1923.
The government at the time, led by the United Party, asked for the 1YA studios to be built. Architects Norman Wade and Alva Bartley designed the building. It officially opened on January 23, 1935.
After the November 1935 election, a new government took over. This was the first Labour government, led by Michael Joseph Savage. They believed public radio was very important. The 1YA studios played a big part in their plans for New Zealand.
A famous recording engineer named Wahanui Wynyard did some of his first work here. He recorded music with groups like The Bluestars.
Building Design and Look
The Kenneth Myers Centre is built in a style called neo-Romanesque. This means it looks like buildings from an older time. It seems small from Shortland Street, showing only one floor. But it actually goes down three more levels towards Fort Street at the back.
Early radio technology needed a very strong and quiet building. So, the centre has thick double brick walls to block out noise. Its arched 'windows' have copper frames. These windows don't show the inside; they hide another layer of brick.
The bricks were made by Amalgamated Brick & Pipe Company Ltd. This company also owned Crown Lynn Potteries. The bricks were specially designed to change colour. They go from red to yellow in eight different bands up the front of the building.
From TV to Music Studios
Later, the building was changed into a television studio called AKTV2. On June 1, 1960, it was the place of the first official TV broadcast in New Zealand. It stayed the main TV broadcasting centre in Auckland until 1990. That's when Television New Zealand (TVNZ) moved to a new building on Hobson Street.
Many people still feel a connection to the old building. It was often called the Shortland Street Studios. The popular TV show Shortland Street was even planned to be filmed here at first.
In the 1990s, the building became a popular place for musicians. Its special studios were perfect for recording. Famous artists like Dave Dobbyn, The Submariner, and York Street Studio used it. Albums by The Mutton Birds, Che Fu, and Pitch Black were recorded here.
Today, parts of the Kenneth Myers Centre are still used as recording and practice studios. Students from the University of Auckland's School of Music often use them.
Becoming an Art Gallery
The University of Auckland bought the building from TVNZ in 2000. It was carefully restored and updated. Douglas Myers gave a lot of money for this work. The building was named after his father, Kenneth Myers.
Downstairs, there are dance studios, music practice rooms, and video editing suites. These are used for teaching and studying creative arts. The upstairs areas were renovated with help from Gus Fisher. He loved art and fashion. These upstairs areas became the University of Auckland's art gallery.
Most of the inside of the building is quite plain. But the main entrance area has a beautiful coloured glass dome. Light shines through it from above. This dome is surrounded by fancy plaster designs. These designs were first painted in seven colours. Now, they are painted white to make the pink, green, and tobacco-coloured glass stand out more.
The original bronze lamps at the entrance were removed in 1959. This happened when the building was changed for television. Years later, new lamps were made and put back on October 23, 2009. This was done to meet a city council rule for the building's restoration.
