When you have a NZ Historic Places Category 1 building to look after, as well as planning towards the future, you also have to work with the damage caused by the ravages of time.

This former Bank of New South Wales building stands on the site of Invercargill’s first commercial premises, which was opened in 1856. Designed by C.J Brodrick, the site became home to the Bank of New South Wales in 1904. It was one of four key buildings that have stood on the corners of this intersection, though today just three remain. C.J Brodrick was instrumental in the design of many other Invercargill buildings such as the National Bank and the Grand Hotel.

When Westpac left in the 1990s, the building went through two ownerships before being purchased by the Troopers Memorial Corner Charitable Trust in a derelict state. After substantial funding efforts the building has been structurally strengthened and restored.

Keeping in mind the age of the surface and scale of the project, Resene AquaShield was specified for the main wall surfaces. The dead flat mineral effect finish of Resene AquaShield is very sympathetic to older surfaces and heritage buildings, while its inherent watershedding properties helps keep the surface clean by combining the water repellent properties of silicones with a special surface microstructure so water and dirt are more easily carried away by rain, leaving a dry and attractive facade.

Resene Craigieburn (landscape brown) in full, half and quarter strength decorates the main walls and columns complemented by Resene Sonyx 101 semi-gloss waterborne paint in Resene Monarch (opulent red) on the red band and Resene Enamacryl Metallic in Resene Gold Dust (gold metallic) for the lettering. Resene X-200 weathertight membrane was used as an elastomeric coating to bridge all hairline cracks. From ground level to the lower red band, the surface is finished in Resene Sonyx 101 with Resene Uracryl GraffitiShield gloss to protect it against graffiti attack.

Concerted care and effort has well and truly brought this building back from the brink.

Owner: Troopers Memorial Trust
Painting contractor: Hendersons Construction
From the Resene News – issue 2/2015