For more than 80 years, a smart two-storey brick building stood on Queen Street, Richmond, housing generations of local businesses and professionals before its demolition in 2007.
The building was believed to have been constructed in the 1920s, although neither the exact date nor the builder is known. One suggestion was that it was built by G. M. Rout and Son, with George Gilbert Wearing as the owner.
Built before 1925, it was still described as the ‘new brick building’ that year, when it was advertised for rent. At the time, it was occupied by Win and Co.
In mid-1926 the ‘new building’ was again advertised, this time by George Wearing of Nelson, as being available to let. The advertisement highlighted its splendid window shelving and counters, electric light and prime position in Richmond. Upstairs, a single office or suites of two, three or four rooms were available, all attractively furnished.
In August 1927 the freehold property in Queen Street, together with the two-storey brick building featuring up-to-date fittings and modern conveniences, was auctioned on behalf of George.
Three months later, a dentist’s surgery in the brick building was advertised as available for rent. Around this time the School Dental Service was well established, with children seen by a dentist in the YMCA building on Cambridge Street. However, when that room was needed for a library, another space was required, and it was noted that a room in Queen Street was sourced and set up as a dental clinic. It is likely this room was within the brick building.
During the 1930s, the Waimea Electric Power Board operated from offices on the upper floor.
From about 1936 to 1948, Raynell Conrad Marshall ran a bakery and tearooms on the ground floor. In 1944, Daphne Russ was employed by the Marshalls as a shop assistant and kitchen hand. She appears to have been seconded to work at the Mental Hospital Department, but due to difficulty replacing her, Raynell requested that she be allowed to remain to help in the tearooms and restaurant, which at the time was the only one in Richmond. The outcome of this request is unknown.
Dentist Raymond Beresford began operating a dental clinic upstairs in 1948 and remained there for more than 50 years until his retirement in 2003. Due to his long association with the site, the building was often referred to as the Beresford Building.
Over the years, many other businesses operated from the landmark premises. In later decades it housed a fruit and vege shop and Burchard Bartrum Jones and Sons real estate offices.
In 2007 the decision was made to demolish the building due to its unreinforced brick walls and timber construction, which made it a potential earthquake risk.
The final businesses to operate from the site were Bolton’s Books and Bric a Brac, and Kerstens.
