Milne & Choyce, Heritage New Zealand Category 2 building in Queen Street, Auckland, New Zealand
Milne & Choyce is a nine-story building on Queen Street featuring six elevators and displaying 1920s commercial architecture. The structure was designed for retail operations and remains an example of the era's approach to building for commerce.
The business started in 1867 when Mary Jane and Charlotte Milne opened a small drapery shop that grew into a major department store over the decades. The current Queen Street building reflects the company's expansion during the 20th century.
The store served as a shopping destination where Aucklanders gathered to find quality goods and the latest fashions from home and abroad. Its presence on Queen Street made it a regular stop for locals seeking department store variety.
The building sits centrally on Queen Street and is easy to access when visiting the retail district. Most visitors can approach and view the exterior without difficulty since the site is accessible from the public street.
The company presented a fashion show in 1947 featuring original designs by Christian Dior, bringing Paris fashion to Auckland for the first time. This event became a turning point for how international fashion was presented to the local market.
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