Hamilton Views - Photos of life in Hamilton City and the Waikato Region of New Zealand: November 2008

Take Five

There are lots of nice spots to take a break and relax at the lake.

Leo

Here's a lion water fountain on the wall in Casabella Lane in downtown Hamilton, shame the water wasn't turned on :)

Located at the south end of Hamilton's main Victoria Street is a statue of the iconic Riff Raff character from the cult status movie The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

The statue commemorates the development of the idea and the writing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show by Richard O'Brien who lived in Hamilton.

His plaque reads:

It’s astounding!

Where we stand is the birthplace of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

On this site stood The Embassy Theatre, the home of Hamilton's ‘Late Night Double Feature Picture Show’ and the barber shop where Richard O'Brien cut hair and daydreamed from 1959 to 1964.

The statue is a cast bronze sculpture created by Weta Workshop, designed by Greg Broadmore, sculpted by Brigitte Wuest and engineered by Dave Irons.

sources: www.riffraffstatue.org - www.visithamilton.co.nz

Lake View

A view of the Hamilton's main hospital looking across Lake Rotoroa (Hamilton Lake).

Wesley Chambers

In its lifetime, Wesley Chambers has worn many grand costumes so it is appropriate it should now be one of Hamilton's most luxurious hotels, Rydges Le Grand. The land on which it is built was originally owned by the Methodist Trust and the first building on the site was a church. When the church was relocated to Collingwood Street, the Methodists erected a block of small wooden shops - the Cosy Corner Shops - to supplement their income. In 1904, the wooden buildings were replaced by a brick building, capable of bearing more storeys. Two decades later, the current four- storeyed structure, designed by F E Smith, the town's first full-time architect, was completed.

Wesley Chambers was the first multistoreyed building in Hamilton made of reinforced concrete and the first to have a lift.

The building was designed in the Modern Renaissance Chicago School style by Frederick Daniell.

For most of its history, Wesley Chambers' upper floors were tenanted by some of the city's most prominent professional people including opticians, solicitors, accountants and dentists. The ground level was regarded as an excellent site for retail businesses and was a meeting place for people from out of town. For many years, it was occupied by Hetheringtons Ltd, a large general drapery store.

In the 1980s and early 1990s, the building was vacant and during this time was used as a training ground by the Hamilton Police Dog Unit. But, in 1993, it was bought by Michael and Susanne Blagojevich who lovingly transformed it into a luxurious boutique hotel, which they named Le Grand. The long dark corridors once covered with functional grey lino are now laid with plush carpet and the rooms used by dentists and accountants have been transformed into suites overlooking the bustling South End of Victoria Street.

source: Hamilton City Council

ArtsPost Gallery

Here's the ArtsPost Gallery. I took this whilst having a much needed cappuccino at the cafe across the road :)

Aerials

TV aerials are not only great for improving TV reception but are also handy for birds taking quick pit stops.

The Bank

Before construction of a bridge in 1879, the bank building held a prominent position in the new town, immediately above the Ferry landing.

The corner of Hood and Victoria Streets has been known as "Bank Corner" for many years. The bank was the centre of town well into the 1930's until the city's commercial focus shifted northwards with the city's grown and it played a large part in the city being developed on the west side of the river, rather than the east. E. Mahoney and Son designed many of the BNZ buildings throughout New Zealand. Many of the designs credited to Edward Mahoney after 1876 may well have been the work of his son Thomas, so this would include the BNZ building in Hamilton.

The builder, Edward Messange of Hamilton who also built the BNZ in Te Awamutu began construction on April 9 1877 and completed the BNZ in late March 1878. Trading began in early April 1878. The cost of the building was 3900 pounds.

The building has undergone several major structural changes. The Hood Street facade lengthened in 1908 by 30 feet, increasing the space in the banking chamber and included a separate office for the bank accountant.

In early 1994 the building began its new life as a Bar and Brasserie aptly named "The Bank" let by Richard Bate. Today the original safe is a keg room and store a different but also invaluable necessity. Recycled Kauri id the timber used for the bar and came from within the building, the stationery room in 1908 is now our kitchen and the courtyard dominated by fruit trees and established plants, now provides a haven in the city for our customers.

source: www.thebank.co.nz