 |
| Image from Bartley Archive Postcard collection |
The building Aucklanders now know as the Blackett's building was once the original offices of South British Insurance. The company was a New Zealand firm founded in 1872 by a group of influential colonists. Their business was principally fire and marine insurance.
 |
| NZ Herald 10 October 1910 |
This corner of Queen and Shortland St housed the company until the late 1920's, when an adjacent site was taken for the construction of state of the art offices on the corner of Shortland St and High St.
Richard Keals designed the first offices for erection in 1879. The Italianate design was complemented by a statue of Britannia on the roof line which became an Auckland land mark.
Just before the World War Edward Bartley's firm was asked to take charge of alterations and modernising.
 |
| NZ Herald 16 July 1910 |
A third storey was added and the footprint widened to take in the frontage previously part of Woolam's pharmaceuticals.
 |
| Auckland Star 14 July 1910 |
 |
| NZ Herald 30 May 1911 |
The entranceway was improved and enhanced by a grand stairway, with modern lifts for the use of the public.
 |
NZ Herald 7 March 1911 p7 col 1
|
Hand held Minimax fire extinguishers were installed throughout.
 |
| NZ Herald 6 May 1911 |
 |
| NZ Herald 6 Novermber 1911 |
The 1929 headquarters was designed by Grierson, Aimer & Draffin. M Keith Draffin had worked with Edward Bartley up until the latter's death in 1919. The design is a feast of deco detail in the Chicago style
 |
| Image courtesy urbanexplorerflickr |
HZ Historic Places Trust Category 1 http://www.heritage.org.nz/the-list/details/121former South British; Category 1 Blackett's building http://www.heritage.org.nz/the-list/details/4483
Vennel, C.W Risks and rewards, a policy of enterprise 1872-1972 Wilson and Horton Auckland 1972
