NZ Visual Diary - entry 289
Public Trust Building - Wellington
The Public Trust Building (also known as the Public Trust Hall) is an architectural icon of Wellington Central. When opened in 1909, the building was heralded as both an architectural and engineering marvel. One source notes:
The Old Public Trust comprises five storeys above ground with a basement level below. The building makes superb use of an important corner site. The exuberantly detailed stone, brick and plaster façades conceal an innovative steel structure engineered by San Francisco based architects to the most up-to-date earthquake resistant design of the day. The corner cylindrical tower rises five storeys and is capped by a fine copper-sheathed cupola and lantern.
Both façades are heavily articulated, most notably with the large segmental-arched pediments at roof level supported on giant-order Corinthian columns. The heavily rusticated base of the building is finished in Tonga Bay granite and has arched openings. A dentilled string course clearly separates this level from the next. 1
The building is currently home to the New Zealand Arts Council.
Wellington City Council website
< https://www.wellingtoncityheritage.org.nz/buildings/151-300/180-public-trust-building >