Dominion Building, Wellington

The Dominion Building is a seven-story structure on Victoria Street topped with a distinctive copper turret. Its exterior walls are clad in Caen Stone, the interiors feature marble finishes, and today the building houses residential apartments on upper floors with commercial offices below.

The building was constructed between 1926 and 1928 and housed The Dominion newspaper operations for five decades before the publication moved in 1976. Following this relocation, the structure was later renovated and transformed into mixed-use space.

The building reflects how newspapers shaped information sharing in early 20th century New Zealand, when print media was essential to communities. Visitors can sense this historical role through the solid construction and careful design that supported such an important institution.

The building stands in a central city location and can be viewed from the street to appreciate its architectural details. Visitors should note that upper floors are now private residences and offices, so exploration is limited to admiring the exterior and ground level features.

The structure displays Chicago-style influences in its symmetrical facade with flanking piers framing a central shaft topped by the copper turret. This architectural choice was uncommon for Wellington and shows how international building trends shaped New Zealand construction during this period.

Location: Wellington Region

Location: Wellington City

Inception: 1928

Architects: Te Herenga Waka University Press

GPS coordinates: -41.28870,174.77580

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:46