Architectural Details of Timaru's Custom House

Customhouse, c.1902. ½-044242-F, Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington.

Customs House is a historic neoclassical building in Timaru, New Zealand. Opened in 1902 it served the Customs Department until the 1970s.

The Timaru Customs House is a neoclassical building designed by Daniel West, featuring Doric elements. The structure is made of brick plastered with cement and is enclosed by a concrete wall and metal fence.

A portico supported by four fluted columns marks the entrance, topped with a central pediment and two side pediments. Pilasters embellish the façade and support the frieze, while all windows feature a pediment bead. The gabled roof is hidden behind a parapet adorned with acroteria. A flagpole was later added, and the original chimneys were removed.

Inside, the layout included a lobby leading to the collector's room, the tide-waiter's room, and a long room with a storeroom. The interior features decorative cornices, skirting boards, and ornate ceilings.

Originally built for the Customs Department, the building was later vacated in 1976 and remained unused until restaurateurs restored it in 1985. The Timaru Civic Trust acquired the property in 2018.

Exterior view of the Custom House at Timaru, on the corner of Cains Terrace and Strathallan Street, photographed circa 1902. Shows a stone building in a neoclassical style, with two pairs of columns framing the entrance. Photographer unidentified. Customs House, Timaru. System Reference Tiaki : 1/2-044242-F 
This image is provided for research purposes and must not be reproduced without the permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library and, where appropriate, the copyright holder.

2 Strathallan St
LN:324 C:1
1902
Architect Daniel West / Forrester and Lemon
Builder T Pringle
Plasterwork Emil Hall
Style Neoclassical

At the time of it's opening the Timaru Herald described it as "a building which, for convenience in design and first class execution is equal to the very best government building in the colony. The most commanding view, as it should be, is from the harbour."

In 1857, Timaru’s first Government agent Belfield Woolcombe arrived. Often referred to as the grandfather of Timaru, he was the government rep, beach master, health officer, registrar, coroner, returning officer and over seer of public works and magistrate. (That’s a lot of multi-tasking!) He built Timaru’s third house at Ashbury Park beside the kindergarten there today.

1861 Timaru was declared a legal quay and Alexander Rose came to Timaru as the first Customs agent opening offices in Le Crens store.

The railway helped accelerate progress after the first sod for the Temuka to Timaru railway was turned by the Mayoress, Mrs Cain in 1871. The office was in the way of the new railway, so they moved to the Post Office building in 1880 before this neoclassical building was completed in 1902. 

Local carpenter turned architect Daniel West designed the building which opened in August 1902. It is Neoclassical in style. The construction material is brick covered in cement plaster and features much classic detailing. It has a square footprint and gabled roof concealed by a parapet. The entrance to the building is through the arched entrance portico which is framed by pairs of fluted Doric columns. Each of the windows has a pediment bead. It is a well balanced and organized design, enhanced by its position at the junction of three streets which results in its being seen from many aspects. The fence and iron railing, climbing as it comes around the building, gives a finishing touch of dignity. Only the south side elevation is plain. At some stage (unknown) the chimneys were removed and a flagpole added. Learn more here

The building was purchased by the Timau rCivic Trust in 2018.

Significant elements include Doric order, columns, heavy entablature and pediments, pilasters, pediments, antefixae, acroterion, sweeping fence with ornamental ironwork.

Did you know? Customs operated here until 1970’s.

Cains Terrace is name after Captain Henry Cain (1816-1886)

Croped image of Customshouse Restaurant on Strathallan Street, Timaru, circa 1987. The Grosvenor Hotel (cream building above the Custom House) and the Royal Hotel (pink building to the right) South Canterbury Museum CN 2014/008.013

• Customs House Overview:

  • Historic neoclassical building in Timaru, New Zealand.

  • Opened in 1902 and served the Customs Department until the 1970s.

  • Later became a restaurant.

  • Category 1 registration with Heritage New Zealand.

• Architectural Significance:

  • Located strategically in Timaru, guarding the entry and exit to the port, intended as a sentinel.

  • The design combines classical elements from ancient Greece and Rome, emphasizing the authority of the realm.

  • The name "HM Customs" reinforces the building's sense of authority.

  • Architectural features include oversized doors and windows, with tympana above, and north columns supporting a high pediment.

  • A "small encyclopedia" of classical motifs is on display.

• Architectural Origins:

  • Ventilation grilles on the building state "D West Architect," though speculation exists about the involvement of architects from Oamaru or Dunedin.

  • The building fits the neo-classical style, similar to other prominent buildings in Oamaru designed by RA Lawson of Dunedin and local architects Forrester & Lemon.

• Description:

  • Designed by Daniel West in a Doric neoclassical style.

  • Located at Cains Terrace and Station Street, with a frontage on Strathallan Street.

  • Surrounded by a concrete wall and metal fence.

  • Constructed from brick plastered with cement.

  • Entrance features a portico with four fluted pillars and a pediment, alongside two additional pediments on each side.

  • Pilasters ornament the façade and support the frieze.

  • All windows have pediment beads.

  • Gabled roof hidden by a parapet with acroteria on top.

  • Flagpole added post-construction, with chimneys removed.

  • Site area: 552 m² (660 sq yd); floor space: 192 m² (230 sq yd).

• Interior:

  • Originally had a lobby with a collector's room on the left and tide-waiter's room on the right.

  • Long room and storeroom at the end of the lobby.

  • Detailed ceilings with cornices and skirting boards.

• History:

  • The Collector of Customs was previously based in the Timaru Post Office since 1880.

  • In 1901, tenders were called for the construction of the Customs House; the contract was awarded to Thomas Pringle for £1,944.

  • The building opened in August 1902.

  • In the early 1970s, the Customs Department was moved out due to proposals for new premises, despite objections from staff and locals.

  • The building was transferred to the Lands and Survey Department in 1976 and was put up for sale in 1981.

  • No sale occurred until early 1983 when a new owner purchased the building.

  • Paul and Rien Cox, restaurateurs from Akaroa, restored the building and opened it as a restaurant in August 1985.

  • The Timaru Civic Trust purchased the building in 2018, and it continues to operate as a restaurant.

• Recent Developments:

  • The Timaru Civic Trust has purchased the former Customs House building.

  • Purchase completed after approximately two months of negotiation, according to trust chairman David McBride.

  • David McBride expressed delight with the purchase.

• Heritage Significance:

  • Heritage New Zealand regards the building as Category 1, highlighting its historical value due to its long association with the Port of Timaru.

  • The building’s architectural distinction and prominent setting in the townscape make it of national importance.

• Ownership and Sale:

  • The building was purchased from a consortium operating Steak @ Customs House.

  • Former co-owner Jared Aldridge stated the consortium would lease the building and continue operating the restaurant.

  • McBride did not reveal the purchase price but noted that the trust’s ownership of the Landing Services Building provides stable income for purchases like this.

  • The building was listed with a capital value around $395,000 on Reid and Wilson First National’s website.

• Future Plans:

  • McBride emphasized the building would be preserved forever under trust ownership, ensuring its care for future generations.

  • The trust expressed concerns over the deterioration of the Hydro Grand under private ownership and the importance of safeguarding the former Customs House.

  • The building’s land area is 552 m², with a floor area of 192 m².

  • The trust acknowledged the need for significant strengthening to meet current earthquake-prone building standards but is confident it can meet these requirements over the next 20 years.

  • McBride mentioned that funds might need to be raised to meet earthquake standards, but there is ample time to organize the resources.

• Historical Overview:

  • The former Customs House was designed by Forrester and Lemon architects of Oamaru and opened in August 1902.

  • It was vacated by the Customs Department in the late 1970s and has since served various purposes, most recently as a restaurant.

• Conversion to a Restaurant:

  • After ceasing operations as a Customs office, the building was converted into a restaurant.

  • This conversion occurred before Roberto Lombardi’s arrival in Timaru, who was eager to establish his Italian restaurant, Casa Italia.

  • The building was a perfect match for Lombardi’s vision, and his energy and flair breathed new life into it, making a compelling case for the preservation of character buildings in the city.

https://www.timaru.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/673861/Historic-Heritage-Assessment-Report-HHI38-former-Customhouse-Category-A.pdf

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timaru_Customs_House#cite_ref-gem_1-3

https://www.timarucivictrust.co.nz/blog/the-custom-house

https://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/103632639/timaru-civic-trust-buys-nationally-important-custom-house

https://www.heritage.org.nz/list-details/324/Listing

Maritime museum plan (26 May 1977). Aoraki Heritage Collection, accessed 27/03/2025, https://aorakiheritage.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/5810

Customs Staff Do Not Want to Move (03 Aug 1973). Aoraki Heritage Collection, accessed 27/03/2025, https://aorakiheritage.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/710 

Minister Favours Keeping Old Customs Building (08 Jan 1974). Aoraki Heritage Collection, accessed 27/03/2025, https://aorakiheritage.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/709

Details Photographed by Roselyn Fauth

 Timaru Post Office erected 100 years ago: Building originally housed several Govt departments (12 Aug 1980). Aoraki Heritage Collection, accessed 27/03/2025, https://aorakiheritage.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/730

Timaru's first official Post Office in lower George Street, located in John Beswick's Store, circa 1862. Depicts the wooden building with dormer windows and a clock on the front left facing of the building. Posts in front of the entrance, possibly hitching rails, and a picket fence on the right are also visible. The road in front of the building is unpaved. Handwritten on the verso is: "Timaru PO 1862[.] Thought to be George St office of John Beswick" South Canterbury Museum 981/38.1