T.H. Brown & Co Auction Mart
17 Tyne Street
One of the more modest buildings in Ōamaru’s Heritage Precinct has a fascinating history that reflects both the optimism and challenges of the town’s boom years.
Built in 1883 from locally quarried Oamaru stone, the building originally housed the auction rooms of merchant and commission agent Thomas Hood Brown. Brown was already a well-known businessman in Ōamaru, and had operated a store further down Tyne Street that had been built in 1876.
In 1883, Brown entered into partnership with James Hassell Jr. as auctioneers and commission agents, commissioning new premises that became known as T.H. Brown & Co.’s Auction Mart. The building is believed to have been designed by architect James Johnston, who played a significant role in shaping Ōamaru’s Victorian streetscape and was responsible for many of the town’s commercial buildings during its period of rapid growth.
Like many businesses of the era, however, Brown and Hassell were affected by the economic downturn of the mid-1880s. Brown filed for bankruptcy in January 1884, with Hassell following shortly afterwards. The property was sold through a mortgagee sale and returned to former leaseholder John McLean later that year.
Trust History
Purchased by the Trust in 2015
2017 reroofed the building
Tenant:
Oamaru Scaffolding
Trust Buys 17 Tyne Street
The Otago Daily Times 26 September 2015
Thanks to a donation from an Auckland heritage group, the Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust has bought another building in Oamaru's Victorian Precinct.
The purchase of 17 Tyne St brings to 17 the number of buildings the trust owns in the precinct.
Chairwoman Kate Proctor said the trust was extremely pleased to obtain the building.
''Given its location we're delighted; we've now [got] a bit of control what goes into it.
''It would have been a disaster if something went in there that was not in keeping with the area. With frontages on both Tyne and Harbour Sts, and situated in the middle of the precinct, it offers many advantages and options for the trust.''
The price and seller are being kept confidential.
It was likely the building, which has a category 2 rating with Heritage New Zealand, would initially be used for storage until a plan was developed for its future, Mrs Proctor said.
It is the second time this year that the building has been sold. In February, Musical Theatre Oamaru (MTO) sold the building.
MTO president Dan Lewis said the building went to a private buyer.
The Whitestone Civic Trust's purchase was made possible through money given to the trust in 2011 by Landmark Inc, an organisation which was winding up.
Landmark Inc had similar objectives to the trust and the donation was made to allow it to buy another building.
''It's the first building to be for sale in the precinct for some years and it made sense for the trust to buy it,'' Mrs Proctor said.
The 132-year-old building was designed and built by James Johnston, a mason by trade, and was originally used as an auction market for Thomas Hood Brown and James Hassell.
Johnston built another trust-owned building, Smith's Grain Store, which is also located in Tyne St.
Johnston was the main business rival of Thomas Forrester and John Lemon, who designed the Criterion Hotel and many other historic buildings in Oamaru.
