27-29 Strathallan St
LN: 2069 C:2
1877
The title was first issued in 1887 in the name of the Colional Bank of New Zealand and became vested in the Bank of New Zealand in 1896. It was transferred to Edwin Guinness and Henry Le Cren Ltd in 1903. They had set up business as stock agents and general merchants in 1891. The business grew rapidly so they shifted to larger premises in Strathallan Street. By the turn of the twentieth century there were already two separate buildings fronting 19-29 Strathallan Street, the easternmost one operating as Guinness and Le Cren’s land sales rooms by 1903. It is not clear if, from the start, the company also occupied some or all of the other, western, building including the stone block running almost the length of the western side which was seemed to have been in existence by 1892. In 1919 the firm of Guinness and Le Cren amalgamated with Pyne and Company to form one of New Zealand’s largest stock and station agencies, Pyne, Gould, Guinness.
The frontage is seen as a key element in the Edwardian facade of the business are in Timaru, constructed from brick, bluestone and plaster.
Significant elements are quoins, window details and cornice.