The former Imperial Hotel

 

"Land Reclamations

Fort Street was originally known as 'Fore' Street, and marks the original Commercial Bay Shoreline. The Māori name for the area is Onepanea and is a place of cultural significance to Tangata Whenua. The Fort Street shoreline was a key landing point during Auckland's early settlement, and central to Aucklands role as a major trading centre. Surveyor-General Felton Matthew provided for allotments of reclaimed land to be developed on tidal mudflats of Commerical Bay in his first plan of Auckland. Fort Lane was part of the original post - reclamation street plan, created to service warehousing at the rear of buildings fronting Queen Street. The dip in the lane reflects settlement of reclamation of material. The first land reclamations started in 1859, with 9 acres of the foreshore between Fore (Fort) Street and Customhouse (Custom) Street being reclaimed in the 1860s. Subsequent reclamation was undertaken to improve harbour facilities at a a time when the colonial capital was rapidly expanding.

 

Metropolitan Hotel

A two-storey timber hotel was built on the corner of Fort and Queen Streets, known as the Metropolitan Hotel (licensed from 1858). Construction of the Metropolitan Hotel was directly linked to the bustling trade and activities on the waterfront. It was built on piles sunk into the foreshore. With financial assistance from Hancock Brewers, a three-storey brick hotel was built in its place in 1883. The brick hotel was designed in italianate architecture style by well known Auckland architects Edward Mahoney & Son, and constructed by builder John Currie.

 

Imperial Hotel

The Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society took over the Metropolitan Hotek lease in 1885. Based in Melbourne, they used part of the building as their Auckland office. The hotel was renamed the Imperial Hotel, and later incorporated neighbouring Grahams Building's; and Webbs Buildings (former offices of the Auckland Harbour Board and Auckland Gas Company), designed by architect James Wrigley. The bluestone wall visible on Fort Lane may date from the original 1861 Webbs Buildings. Structures that appear to be encased within parts of the current Imperial Hotel, such as the 1860s Graham Buildings, are directly linked with the commercial and administrative activities of Auckland new harbour front on Customs Street. Hancock brewers bought the Imperial Hotel in 1924, and in 1966 it became known as the Lion Tavern. The first and second floors were redeveloped as backpackers accomodation in 1989, and subsequently became known as Queens Street Backpackers."