History

Bridgers’ Building - A Landmark Reborn

Standing proudly at 88 The Strand, Whakatāne, the Bridgers’ Building has been a cornerstone of the town's commercial landscape for over a century. Originally constructed around 1921 as an expansion of the Bridgers department store - established in Ōpōtiki in 1894 - the building quickly became a bustling hub for shoppers. Locals fondly recalled it as “an emporium as good as the shops in Auckland,” offering everything from fabrics to fine china.

Architecturally, the building is celebrated for its ornate plaster façade. This decorative frontage has long contributed to the character of The Strand and remains one of Whakatāne’s most distinctive heritage structures.

However, in November 2021, a devastating fire (sparked by a ram-raid) gutted the building's interior, impacting six businesses and leaving the community in shock.

Determined to preserve this piece of Whakatāne's history, local businessman Glenn Van Asselt purchased the charred building within a month of the blaze. Under his ownership, the façade was reinforced, and the ruined interior was demolished. The ground at the back, being reclaimed land, was excavated to 1.2 metres and compacted to provide a solid foundation for the new structure.

The restoration, completed in 2024, seamlessly blends heritage with contemporary design. The original façade has been refreshed with a sophisticated grey and white palette, replacing the former teal and white. Inside, the building now houses two approximately 220-square-metre ground-floor retail spaces and two 260-square-metre offices upstairs, featuring large decks overlooking the Whakatāne River. Notably, timber preserved from the original building has been repurposed as beams in the vaulted ceilings and windowsills, maintaining a tangible connection to the past.

Today, the Bridgers’ Building stands not only as a testament to Whakatāne's rich history but also as a symbol of resilience and forward-thinking revitalisation. It continues to serve the community, bridging the past and the present under one beautifully restored roof.