Designed by Christchurch architect, Joseph Clarkson Maddison, this highly decorated ‘Second Empire’ building is the only example of the style in Palmerston North. ‘Empire’ in this context refers to the French Empire of Napoleon III.
The four-storey £17,000 Grand Hotel opened on 15 June 1907. The Grand became the town’s most elaborate building of the period. Containing 59 single and double bedrooms, the building, which was erected by Messrs Trevor & Sons, took about 800,000 bricks and 2,400 bags of cement to construct, excluding that used for plastering. The observation tower, above the street corner, stood 24 metres tall, with a 4.5 metre flagpole atop that. This was, therefore, one of Palmerston North’s tallest buildings, and certainly its most up-market hotel for many years.
The landmark tower was removed in 1963, although its base remains. The imposing main staircase, probably carved by local carvers, Messrs Payne & Co., is now the building’s only authentic interior feature.
