Review: The Hotel Britomart, the capital of a new republic

Review: The Hotel Britomart, the capital of a new republic
The Hotel Britomart is the centrepiece of the heritage precinct in the Auckland CBD. (Image: Britomart)
Brent Melville
Auckland’s Britomart precinct wouldn’t be in existence under today's resource consenting rules.But back in 1870, it was deemed a good idea to reclaim land from the sea around Port Britomart, an area that now includes Customs St, Quay St and the huge Commercial Bay retail, dining and commercial centre. Prior to that, Fort St ran alongside the beach.The precinct was needed. The city wanted to ensure enough acreage for the expanding port and to cater for a growing commercial hub. The area had its heyday but fell into decl...

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