Eden Valley Shopping Centre Walk Preview

Eden Valley Area

The Eden Valley area followed the same pattern of early development as the rest of Mt Eden. In the 1840s it was subdivided into small farms and sold. During the 1870s some of the farms were subdivided and residential development began. The provision of local amenities in the areas dates from the mid 1880s. In 1886 Dominion Road was graced with its first church with the construction of St Albans. The Eden Valley shopping area initially developed during the late Victorian and Edwardian period and continued to grow through the twentieth century. Many of the two storey buildings were erected with living space above. Though parts of the shopping area have been redeveloped in recent years Eden Valley retains an eclectic mix of commercial buildings spanning more than a century.

1

Bridgman Building and Early Shops

Begin this walk on the corner of Valley Road and Dominion Road.

2

240 Dominion Road

This two storey brick and plastered building was erected around 1910 and retains some of its original shopfront and ceiling detail. The building adjacent was constructed around 1920.

3

Victory Buildings

244-248 Dominion Road.The Victory building was erected around 1920. Some of the original shopfront and ceiling details have survived.

4

Geoff's Emporium and Adjacent Shops

274 Dominion RoadThis large building was erected around 1950. Extensive additions were made at the rear in 1962 for the Bell Radio & Television Corporation for the introduction of television to New Zealand. The original building was also remodelled at this time, with alterations designed by architect H. Juventin. Geoff’s Emporium has been selling their eclectic mix of wares from the building for over twenty years.

5

Eden Quarter/Ewington Avenue, Captain Ewington's House

Ballantyne SquareThe small park located on the corner of Ewington Avenue was originally occupied by three shops and two houses. During the 1970s the buildings were demolished and an attractive park was formed, named after a Borough Councillor.Ewington Avenue was dedicated in 1879 through the property of estate agent Captain George Ewington. Captain Ewington lived in a house on the rise at the end of the street that bears his name. The house was said to have been relocated from St Heliers Bay.

6

UBD Buildings/Orange Road

360-388 Dominion RoadIn 1969 the Universal Business Directory Company had this building erected. It was designed by the architectural firm Warwick & Wright and built by Merv. Allison. The retail shops along Dominion Road are a later addition.

7

Girl Guide Hall

132 Grange RoadCurrently the provincial headquarters of the Girl Guides Association, this building dates back to 1865 when it was erected as a Selwyn Church. Originally known as St Sepulchre’s it was moved from Symonds Street to its current location in 1904 when it became a Baptist Church. It served as the Baptist Church until 1963. Following this it was used as by the St Albans Boy Scouts, the Eden Operatic and Dramatic Society, the Eden-Epsom Community Day Care, the Brownies and Guides. Guides have used the building since the 1970s. It was officially opened by Lady Reeves as the The Girl Guides Auckland Provincial Centre in 1989.

9

Methodist Church

426 Dominion RoadThe church was built in 1926. It was erected by builder S.E. Chappell to the design of architect Arthur White, who also designed the Mt Eden Methodist Church and Hall in Mt Eden Road.

9

St Albans Church

Continue along Dominion Road to Mt Pleasant Road. Cross over and return back towards Valley Road.

10

Dominion Buildings

373-375 Dominion Road.The original shop fronts remain intact in this building, which dates from around 1910. Residential development in the neighbouring streets occurred in the late 1880s. Paice Ave is named after early landowner James Paice and was dedicated in 1885, as was King Edward Street.

11

Central Buildings

363-369 Dominion RoadThis building was erected around 1920 and retains some of its original shop front detail. It is one of a number of retail buildings built in the 1920s on Dominion Road.

12

Burnley Terrace to Bellwood Avenue

Including Koala Flats, Roussell Building, Bagnall Building and BNZ BankTwo dwellings at the corner of Burnley Terrace and Dominion Road have been converted into retail premises in recent years. Standing alongside these dwellings are the Koala Flats, which were erected around the 1930s. There were a number of buildings containing numerous flats that were erected around this time in Mt Eden but the majority of them were built closer to the Mt Eden Village. The Roussell Building, designed by Draffin, and the large Bagnall block nearby were built in 1923 and 1928 respectively. Some original ceilings remain in the Bagnall Building. The BNZ Bank was built around the 1950s but has been added to and remodelled more recently. The Empire Theatre was located on the site adjacent until the 1980s.

13

Bellwood Avenue to Walters Road

Many of the buildings in this block retain their original shop fronts and ceilings. One such building is number 273 on the corner of Bellwood Avenue and Dominion Road. This building dates from around the turn of the twentieth century. Further along is a building designed in the Spanish mission style that was in vogue in 1928 when the building was erected. This building features sloping sections of terracotta tile roofing as a decorative element. The Penrose building nearby was also erected during the late 1920s and is the work of architect Robert Young. The prominent brick building on the Walters Road corner is known as the Worota Building and dates from 1907.

14

Eden Park

In 1903 the Eden District Cricket Club was formed and they soon purchased a 15-acre block of land at the edge of the Cabbage Tree Swamp. The club made a gallant effort to improve the property clearing the ground of rocks and scrub. Drainage was needed as the cricket ground flooded each winter but this work was beyond the means of the cricket club. They sold the property in 1909 to the Auckland Cricket Association who soon leased it to the Auckland Rugby Union. The rugby union undertook drainage works and began erecting a grandstand in 1914. By 1950 facilities had been improved to the extent that the Empire Games were held at the park. Sports fans regularly enjoy rugby and cricket games at Eden Park and facilities have been recently upgraded with the addition of a new grandstand, floodlighting and extensive drainage and returfing.

Ngā Ana Wai

Underground rivers flow through this district out to the Waitemata Harbour through ancient lava caverns created by the eruptions of Maungawhau and Owairaka more than 30,000 years ago. Water springs forth at various locations including Eden Park, which is known to Maori as Ngā ana wai ‘the watery caverns’. The former swamp at Eden Park was a significant resource providing a diverse range of food and materials for everyday use.