Central Court

    -  

The lively crossroads of Duke and Victoria Streets have always been a hub of activity.  In 1927, the original Central (Criterion) Hotel built in 1866 burned down in a dramatic blaze.  It was rebuilt the same year and in 1977 became the Central Court office and retail space.  Across the street, the Veale family built a row of shops in 1928.  Over the years, everything from furniture to fish
has been sold here.  Today’s building was erected after a fire in 1926, and converted from a hotel into offices and shops in 1977.

The Criterion Hotel

The Criterion Hotel was built by Ned Hewitt in 1877.

Black and white photograph of the Criterion Hotel in Cambridge, New Zealand

The name changed from the Criterion to the Central Hotel in 1908.

Today’s building was erected after a fire in 1926, from plans by James T Douce.

The Central Hotel in Cambridge, New Zealand CM2958/7/102

It was converted into shops in 1977 after being auctioned off when the DB licence went to the Cambridge Tavern in Leamington.

Central Court in Cambridge, New Zealand, 2023

Empire Street was called Brewery Street when a large brewery run by the Hally brothers from 1872 flourished.  This was where the Webb Trust block of buildings is now (2025).

The octagonal Telephone Box on the Empire Street corner was erected in 1990 for Telecom by Gus Wackrow’s Joinery.  It was adapted from a 1911 plan and has the nostalgia of the old but convenience of the new.  It has since been converted into a open library box where residents can borrow or trade books.