Dilworth Building, Heritage building in Auckland CBD, New Zealand
The Dilworth Building is a Neo-classical structure located at the corner of Customs Street and Queen Street in central Auckland. Its nine floors blend upper-level residential apartments with street-level retail spaces.
The building was constructed between 1925 and 1927 by architects William Gummer and Reginald Ford, designed to generate funding for students at the Dilworth Ulster Institute. During World War II, it became a key military facility, serving as headquarters for the U.S. Army and housing the American consulate.
The structure received Category 1 Historic Building status from Heritage New Zealand in 1989, marking its architectural and social value to Auckland.
The building sits in central Auckland and is easily reached on foot, with direct access to the city's shopping and business areas. Parts of the interior are publicly accessible, though residential areas remain private and can only be viewed from outside.
During World War II, the building served an unexpected military purpose as a U.S. command hub and diplomatic center, operating quietly within its commercial and residential spaces. This dual function reveals how local infrastructure adapted to serve critical wartime needs.
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