Empire Hotel, hotel in Dunedin, New Zealand
The Empire Hotel is a red brick heritage building in central Dunedin that rises three stories with distinctive classical details including columns, cornices, and tall windows. Designed by architect Thomas Bedford Cameron and built in 1879, it displays the architectural style that became typical of late-19th-century New Zealand commercial buildings.
The original wooden building opened in 1858 as the Queen's Arms Hotel near Dunedin's harbor, serving sailors, traders and townspeople as a social hub. The present brick structure was constructed in 1879 by architect Thomas Bedford Cameron, replacing the earlier timber building and remaining in continuous operation as a pub for over 150 years until closure in 2009.
The Empire Hotel took its current name in 1898, following earlier names like Queen's Arms and Union Hotel that reflected its changing role in the community. During the 1980s it became the birthplace of the Dunedin Sound music movement, where local bands like The Chills and The Verlaines performed and developed a distinctive style that gained international recognition.
The building sits at 396 Princes Street in Dunedin's central district and is easy to reach on foot, allowing clear views of its restored facade and architectural details. The surrounding area features other Victorian and Edwardian-era structures, making it part of a historic walking route through the city's oldest commercial quarter.
The building was established in 1858 as Queen's Arms, then became Union Hotel before taking the name Empire Hotel in 1898, with each name change reflecting shifts in its role within the city. After closing in 2009, developer Jon Leng purchased and restored it in 2015, returning the brick exterior to its original color while preserving historic features and adding new roof elements like a parapet and balustrade.
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