The Dominion Building stands at the corner of Mercer and Victoria Streets in central Wellington. Completed in 1928, it originally housed The Dominion newspaper and its printing works. Designed in a Stripped Classical style influenced by early Chicago architecture, the building features a distinctive copper tower with a lantern turret and a curved façade that follows the street corner. Its exterior is clad in French Caen stone, while the interior includes Queensland marble, giving it an elegant and enduring presence in the cityscape.
After The Dominion moved out in the 1970s, the building was converted for mixed use, including offices, apartments, and retail spaces. Architect Ian Athfield oversaw major renovations in the 1990s, and recent restoration work has renewed the copper dome and repaired the timber structure beneath it. The Dominion Building remains a landmark of Wellington’s architectural heritage, reflecting both the city’s newspaper history and its commitment to preserving historic character within a modern urban setting.
