DFS celebrates the regeneration of one of the grand historic buildings in the City of Sails
The historic French Renaissance-style building presiding over a corner of downtown Auckland is an architectural icon in the heart of the City of Sails. A wealth of history not only layers this elegant building, but the site itself, which was once part of the harbor before reclamation extended the waterfront to Quay Street.
Still affectionately known by Aucklanders by its original name, Customhouse offers a rare insight into the city’s architectural history and stands alone as an example of the grand buildings that once lined the street. Registered by Heritage New Zealand as a Category 1 historic place, the majestic building has been home to luxury-goods purveyor DFS since 1997. Providing the city and its visitors with a high-end retail experience, the store has become a showcase of contemporary design, representing more than 200 leading international brands and a curated selection of products by leading local labels.
Designed by prominent Auckland architects Mahoney & Sons, Customhouse was completed in 1889. Despite being purpose-built as government offices, the building bears a strong resemblance to the Marshall & Snelgrove department store on Oxford Street, London; it’s possible that architect Thomas Mahoney was influenced by the building on a trip to Britain in the 1880s.
During the period of Auckland’s early and rapid development, Customhouse was central to the city’s growth, servicing trade in the commercial hub. At street level, the government’s Customs Department occupied the largest offices, while a number of other departments occupied the upper floors. At the turn of the century, when trams trundled along the city streets, Customhouse was surrounded by grand period buildings constructed during the 1880s and 1890s in the thriving waterfront area. Merchants, exporters, and importers occupied the buildings, and their goods — from tea to native timber — were stored in the warehouses that lined the port.
As the city grew and government departments were relocated, Customhouse experienced a period of neglect, laying vacant into the 1970s when a local campaign rescued it from demolition. With its future secured, the building was revived as a center for the arts and retail. However, during its many incarnations, the integrity of the building was compromised by architectural interventions that were neither true, nor empathetic, to its character.
In 2018, DFS commissioned local heritage and conservation specialists Matthews and Matthews Architects to renew the original character of the building while providing customers with a high-end retail experience that would resonate with the present. Working with the remarkable detail in the building’s construction and design, the firm undertook a significant restoration of the landmark.
Due to its heritage status, this was no easy feat: all changes were subject to discussion with and approval by Heritage New Zealand and the Auckland government’s heritage advisers, while tradespeople engaged for the highly skilled work used traditional techniques to revive architectural moldings, scrolls, damaged timber, and plasterwork. They renewed all existing roof tiles, restored copper detailing in line with the original specifications, and refurbished all wrought-iron railings. As an important final flourish, the building was painted in tones sympathetic to its heritage.
To celebrate the building’s restored beauty, DFS invited guests to a party during New Zealand Fashion Week, where it showcased the country’s leading design talent alongside its international brands. Now, the building’s elegant architecture complement’s DFS’s curated selection of local and international fashion and accessories, fragrance and beauty, watches and jewelry, wines and spirits, and food and gifts, making for a true destination in the heart of the city.
