Newspaper Article – Fresh look for quake survivors

Fresh look for quake survivors

ANGELA BROWN

Two of Hastings’ buildings have had a facelift recently.

John Poppelwell’s Russell Street block, which houses Warren’s Bakery and the Mainstreets’ office, among other businesses, has been repainted inside and out with advice on colours and a subsidy from the Hastings District Council Landmarks initiative.

Built of reinforced concrete in 1924, the Spanish Mission-style building survived theatre 1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake, thanks to its unique construction.

In the course of doing up the building, Mr Poppelwell found a box of old papers going back to the 1880s. Included was an 1889 Napier programme for The Mikado printed on silk, a programme from a 1920s Heretaunga Swimming Club meet, and a 1915 programme for the opening of the Hastings Municipal Theatre.

Two Queen Street buildings have also been repainted. The original SJ Scannell & Co Barristers 1930s Art Deco building and the neighbouring Credit House, built in 1914 in the Edwardian Commercial style.

Scannell & Co recently expanded into Credit House.

Photo caption – RIGHT: John Poppelwell and his recently repainted Russell Street block.
HB TODAY PICTURE: TIM WHITTAKER