The orginal building was built in 1930. A year later was the great earthquake. While the building mostly survived the quake it was burnt out. There were massive fires right though the city. In 1932 tit was fixed up. It was a dry cleaning and cloth dying shop in those days. In 2003 the mezzanine floor was demolished. It was also refurbished to recreate 3 shops.
It certainly stands out well. Given how many buildings were damaged or destroyed in the quake, it's not surprising to see the architecture of the time out in full force.
ReplyDeleteit sure must have been a busy town after the quake
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