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((Short description|Street in Auckland, New Zealand))
((Use dmy dates|date=July 2016))
((Use New Zealand English|date=July 2022))
((Infobox street
| name                    = Queen Street
| marker_image            = 
| native_name             = 
| native_name_lang        = 
| alternate_name          = 
| image                   = Panoramic view of downtown auckland.jpg
| image_size              = 250px
| image_map               = ((infobox mapframe|zoom=14))
| caption                 = View of Queen Street looking south from Fort Street, 2022
| map_type                =
| map_size                =
| map_caption             =
| map_alt                 =
| other_name              = 
| former_names            = 
| part_of                 =
| maint                   =
| length                  =
| length_km               = 1.7
| length_ref              = 
| length_notes            = Including [[Pedestrian zone|pedestrianised]] section
| width                   = 
| area                    = 
| steps                   = 
| postal_code             = 1010
| addresses               = 
| location                = [[Auckland CBD]], New Zealand
| coordinates             = 
| direction_a             = North
| terminus_a              = [[Quay Street, Auckland|Quay Street]]
| direction_b             = South
| terminus_b              = [[Karangahape Road]] 
| junction                = 
| main_contractor         =
| cost                    =
| references              =
| commissioning_date      = 
| construction_start_date = 
| completion_date         = 
| inauguration_date       = <!-- ((Start date|df=yes|YYYY|MM|DD)) -->
| demolition_date         = 
| north                   = 
| east                    = 
| south                   = 
| west                    = 
| designer                =
| known_for               =
| status                  =
| website                 = <!-- ((URL|example.com)) --> 
))

'''Queen Street''' is the major commercial thoroughfare in the [[Auckland CBD]], [[Auckland]], New Zealand's main population centre. The northern end is at [[Queens Wharf, Auckland|Queens Wharf]] on the [[Auckland waterfront]], adjacent to the [[Britomart Transport Centre]] and the [[Auckland Ferry Terminal|Downtown Ferry Terminal]]. The road is close to straight, the southern end being almost three kilometres away in a south-southwesterly direction on the [[Karangahape Road]] ridge, close to the residential suburbs in the interior of the [[Auckland isthmus]].

==Geography==
Named after [[Queen Victoria]], Queen Street was an early development of the new town of Auckland (founded in 1840), although initially the main street was intended to be [[Shortland Street, Auckland|Shortland Street]], running parallel to the shore of [[Commercial Bay]].<ref>((cite web |url=http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/?t=345 |title=Auckland City History |publisher=[[Auckland War Memorial Museum]] |access-date=24 June 2007 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060225091813/http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/?t=345 |archivedate=25 February 2006))</ref> The early route of Queen Street led up the middle of a gully following the bank of the [[Waihorotiu Stream]] (later bounded in as the '[[Charles Whybrow Ligar|Ligar Canal]]'). This canal was culverted beneath the street from the 1870s onward, allowing for further development of the street to be undertaken. The course of the stream is still reflected today in the slight bend of lower Queen Street. From north of Shortland Street, Queen Street is built on land reclaimed from the sea in the late 19th century (see [[Auckland waterfront]] article).((Cn|date=June 2021))

There are several other 'Queen Streets' in the greater Auckland area, mostly in suburbs that were separate towns before being absorbed by a growing central city. Auckland was also called the "Queen City" since before the turn of the 20th century, though that term is now overshadowed by the nickname "City of Sails".((Cn|date=June 2021))

==Demographics==
The statistical areas of Queen Street, which encompasses a full block either side of Queen Street north of [[Wellesley Street, Auckland|Wellesley Street]], and Queen Street South West, which includes the area west of Queen Street to Vincent Street and Pitt Street south of Wellesley Street, cover ((Convert|0.40|km2||abbr=on))<ref name="Area">((Cite web|title=ArcGIS Web Application|url=https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6f49867abe464f86ac7526552fe19787| access-date=11 July 2022|website=statsnz.maps.arcgis.com))</ref> and had an estimated population of ((Decimals|((formatnum:((NZ population data 2023 SA2|Queen Street|y))|R))+((formatnum:((NZ population data 2023 SA2|Queen Street South West|y))|R))|0)) as of ((NZ population data 2023 SA2|||y|y||,)) with a population density of ((Decimals|(((formatnum:((NZ population data 2023 SA2|Queen Street|y))|R))+((formatnum:((NZ population data 2023 SA2|Queen Street South West|y))|R)))/0.40|0)) people per km<sup>2</sup>.

((Historical populations|2006|2,280|2013|3,168|2018|3,807|percentages=pagr|align=left|source=<ref name="Census 2018"/>))
Queen Street had a population of 3,807 at the [[2018 New Zealand census]], an increase of 639 people (20.2%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]], and an increase of 1,527 people (67.0%) since the [[2006 New Zealand census|2006 census]]. There were 1,860 households, comprising 2,076 males and 1,725 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.2 males per female, with 123 people (3.2%) aged under 15 years, 1,851 (48.6%) aged 15 to 29, 1,626 (42.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 204 (5.4%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 46.3% European/[[Pākehā]], 5.0% [[Māori people|Māori]], 2.8% [[Pasifika New Zealanders|Pacific peoples]], 41.4% [[Asian New Zealanders|Asian]], and 9.9% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 73.6, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 54.5% had no religion, 27.0% were [[Christianity in New Zealand|Christian]], 0.4% had [[Māori religion|Māori religious beliefs]], 5.0% were [[Hinduism in New Zealand|Hindu]], 3.5% were [[Islam in New Zealand|Muslim]], 2.8% were [[Buddhism in New Zealand|Buddhist]] and 2.8% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 1,329 (36.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 162 (4.4%) people had no formal qualifications. 591 people (16.0%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,953 (53.0%) people were employed full-time, 630 (17.1%) were part-time, and 204 (5.5%) were unemployed.<ref name="Census 2018">((NZ census 2018|Queen Street (133200) and Queen Street South West (134100)))</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|+Individual statistical areas
|-
!Name !! Area (km<sup>2</sup>) !! Population !! Density (per km<sup>2</sup>) || Households !! Median age !! Median income
|-
| Queen Street || style="text-align:right;"|0.17 || style="text-align:right;"|2,193 || style="text-align:right;"|12,900 || style="text-align:right;"|981 || 29.3 years || $23,700<ref>((NZ census place summary 2018|queen-street|Queen Street))</ref>
|-
| Queen Street South West || style="text-align:right;"|0.23 || style="text-align:right;"|1,614 || style="text-align:right;"|7,017 || style="text-align:right;"|879 || 30.2 years || $24,900<ref>((NZ census place summary 2018|queen-street-south-west|Queen Street South West))</ref>
|-
! New Zealand !! !! !! !! !! 37.4 years !! style="text-align:left;"| $31,800
|}

==History==
[[File:Mid Queen Street.jpg|thumb|Queen Street (c.1889); painting by [[Jacques Carabain]]]]
[[File:Victoria St Auckland 1880s.jpg|thumb|Looking from Victoria Street East (1880s) across Queen Street (left to right centre) along the south side of Victoria Street West (right)]]

=== Street, stream and canal ===
Māori settlements in the Queen Street area were along the local stream; Te Wai Horotiu (The water of Horotiu) or [[Waihorotiu Stream]]. The stream as a food source and for other purposes. It ran from the ridge along [[Karangahape Road|Karagahape Road]] towards the sea. Horotiu is the name of a [[taniwha]] (guardian spirit) which was believed to live in the stream.<ref>((Cite web|title=History of Q|url=https://www.qtheatre.co.nz/about-us/history-q|url-status=|access-date=2021-05-25|website=Q Theatre|language=en-NZ))</ref> In 1841 colonial settlers built a number of wooden buildings along the western side, following the general path of the Waihorotiu Stream according to the plans set out by surveyor [[Felton Mathew]]. While the street was metalled in 1843 ('metal' is a New Zealand term for [[gravel road]]), the natural stream still often overflowed its banks, and the area was still swampy. This led to canalisation and later covering-over of the stream.<ref name="AHIST">[https://web.archive.org/web/20040708101547/http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/council/projects/cbdproject/queensthistory.asp History of Queen Street] ((webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040708101547/http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/council/projects/cbdproject/queensthistory.asp |date=8 July 2004 )) (from the [[Auckland City Council]] website. Retrieved 15 August 2007.)</ref> 

===Mainstreet of Auckland===
After a fire in 1858 destroyed around 50 buildings in High Street and Shortland Street, the commercial district began to shift towards Queen Street instead, and the first brick and plaster buildings of the 1860s started to cement this move, with the Bank of New Zealand building (only the façade extant today) being one of the first examples. Fires however still continued to plague the new town, with one in 1873 wiping out another 54 buildings in the Queen Street area between Wellesley Street West and Grey Street (today Greys Avenue). The fires, amongst other things, led to the establishment of the Auckland Volunteer Fire Service.<ref name="AHIST"/>
[[File:Queen Street Lower Auckland.jpg|thumb|right|Lower Queen Street in 1919, with [[tram]]s, cars and horse-drawn cabs visible.]]
In the 1880s, the first horse-drawn buses began connecting Queen Street with areas such as [[Ponsonby Road]] and [[Remuera]]. In 1900, the first motorcar was admired on the street, and in 1902 the street was finally asphalted, the first street in New Zealand.<ref name="EvolvingAuckland4.1">((Cite book| editor-first=John| editor-last=La Roche |editor-link=John La Roche |title=Evolving Auckland: The City's Engineering Heritage |year=2011 |publisher=Wily Publications |chapter=Roads |first1=Bryan |last1=Bartley |author-link1=Bryan Bartley |pages=105–109 |isbn=9781927167038))</ref> The same year the first electric trams also arrived, to provide services until 1956.<ref name="AHIST"/>

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw a large number of imposing buildings constructed, such as the [[Smith & Caughey's]] building, the [[Auckland Town Hall]] and the General Post Office at the waterfront, later to become the [[Britomart Transport Centre]]. By that time, the street was popular for events such as parades and festivities, as well as for political activities such as the strike demonstrations of 1913.<ref name="AHIST"/> The Queen Street riots [[Aotea Square#Significant events|broke out]] in the adjacent [[Aotea Square]] in late 1984. During the second half of the 20th century, many of the older buildings on Queen Street were demolished to make space for larger office buildings.((Cn|date=June 2021))

[[File:1-NZ-Street-of-Auckland.jpg|thumb|Pre-2016 view of Queen Street looking towards downtown Auckland, from in front of the [[Auckland Ferry Terminal|Downtown Ferry Terminal]]]]

==Character==
Queen Street is known by reputation all over the country, even by people who have never seen it. It gives its name to the most expensive square in the New Zealand version of ''[[Monopoly (game)|Monopoly]]'' and to a somewhat disrespectful description of business people with rural investment interests (but lacking farming expertise): '[[Queen Street farmer]]s'. The street was immortalised by [[The Front Lawn]] with their song ''(It started on) Queen Street''.((Cn|date=June 2021))

The street has been the site of numerous parades, marches and other events of political, cultural or sporting nature. Together with adjacent High Street, it is the main retail precinct of the central city, with most national store, bank and restaurant franchises having a branch on the street. Several important other local businesses, such as the [[Smith & Caughey's]] department store, have flagship branches here.((Cn|date=June 2021))

The street sees very high pedestrian numbers, estimated by some as up to 10 times as high as on Broadway in [[Newmarket, New Zealand|Newmarket]], seen as Queen Street's closest shopping street rival in Auckland.<ref name=PROPCENTRAL>((cite news|title=Auckland Central|newspaper=Property Report – insert to [[The New Zealand Herald]]|date=5 September 2011|page=23))</ref>

==Transport and foot traffic==
[[File:Queen Street, Midtown.jpg|250px|thumb|Queen Street by [[Aotea Square]]. The [[SkyCity Auckland|SkyCity]] [[Village Cinemas]] is visible in the background.]]

Prior to a 2006–2008 street upgrade (see below), Council figures showed that over 50,000 pedestrians, 40,000 public transport users and 20,000 people in private vehicles used Queen Street daily.<ref name="HerQS"/> The Council anticipated that the private car share would drop by around 15%.<ref name="TOUGH"/> An editorial of ''The New Zealand Herald'' accused Council of using overestimated public transport user numbers for political purposes to support its bus lane plans.<ref name="NZ_Herald_10453784">((cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10453784 |title=Martin Spencer: Retailers counting cost of bus lanes |date=26 July 2007 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |access-date=4 November 2011))</ref>

===Former tram network===
Until December 1956, trams provided public transport along Queen Street, and it was the only street in New Zealand with [[grand union]]s, double-track to double-track junctions, where trams could go to all directions from all directions. These junctions were at the intersections with [[Customs Street]] and Wellesley Street.<ref>''The End of the Penny Section: When Trams Ruled the Streets of New Zealand'' – Stewart, Graham; Wellington: Grantham House, Revised Edition 1993, Page 149</ref> Since the closure of Auckland's tram network, [[Balaclava Junction]] on [[Melbourne]]'s [[Trams in Melbourne|tram network]] has been the sole grand union left in the Southern Hemisphere.((Citation needed|date=June 2009))

==2006–2008 upgrade==
[[File:Mid Queen Street Auckland.jpg|thumb|A section of Queen Street following the 2006–2008 upgrade]]
[[File:Queen Street in 2023.jpg|thumb|upright|Queen Street after a further upgrade in 2023]]
Public perception in the early 2000s was that Queen Street had lost some of its good reputation in the previous decades, with a rundown and uncoordinated<ref name="AAWARD"/> streetscape and the loss of several prestigious retailers cited as either causes or effects. [[Auckland City Council]] decided to address the issue of the 'tired'<!--This is the phrasing on the ACC website --> Queen Street through a major redevelopment of the street.

This involved the widening and relaying of footpaths with basalt kerbstones and paving. Granite insets, designed in consultation with the local Māori ([[Ngati Whatua]] iwi), as well as recycled redchip pavers from the existing footpath, were used to denote special areas – such as those related to the existence of the old Waihorotiu Stream. New street furniture (such as multi-purpose poles for lighting, signage and pennants) and new trees and other landscaping were added to create a 'boulevard effect'.<ref name="CITY">[http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/council/projects/cbdproject/queenstproject.asp Auckland's CBD Into the future – Queen Street upgrade] ((webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070217125408/http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/council/projects/cbdproject/queenstproject.asp |date=17 February 2007 )) (from the [[Auckland City Council]] website)</ref> The [[American Sweetgum|liquidambar]]s and [[Nīkau|Nīkau Palm]]s chosen for the new design touched off heated public discussion in 2006 as their inclusion came at the destruction of previous, established trees (which were not [[Native plant|native flora]] of New Zealand, and thus not retained in the new landscaping plan).<ref>((cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/category/story.cfm?c_id=39&ObjectID=10363606|title=''The greening of Queen St''|author=Geoff Cumming|newspaper=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|date=14 January 2006|access-date=24 June 2007))</ref>

The 2006–2008 project repeatedly increased in cost, from NZ$23&nbsp;million to around NZ$43.5&nbsp;million, with some aspects (such as an improved entrance to Myers Park) falling victim to the blowout.<ref name="FACE">((cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10505897 |title=Final stage more facial than facelift |author=Orsman, Bernard |date=24 April 2008 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |access-date=4 November 2011))</ref> While Council noted in June 2007 that progress had often been quicker than expected,<ref name="NZ_Herald_10446313">((cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/roads/news/article.cfm?c_id=309&objectid=10446313 |title=Queen St businesses just hanging on |author=James Ihaka and Bernard Orsman |date=18 June 2007 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |access-date=4 November 2011))</ref> the cost overruns, and the long duration of the construction works – which substantially affected pedestrian and motor vehicle traffic as well as retail sales<ref name="UPSETS">((cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/local-government/news/article.cfm?c_id=250&objectid=10505896 |title=Upsets and outrage from start to finish |date=24 April 2008 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |access-date=4 November 2011))</ref> – made the upgrade unpopular in public, at least during the duration. It also became a problem issue for [[Dick Hubbard]] in his failed campaign for re-election to [[Mayor of Auckland]] in 2007.((Citation needed|date=June 2008)) The upgrade is now considered to have generally been a success, and it won the 2009 [[Urban Design]] Award of the [[New Zealand Institute of Architects]], which commended it for creating a quality public realm and sense of place.<ref name="AAWARD">[http://www.nzia.co.nz/content.aspx?c=219&t=NZ-Architecture-Awards New Zealand Architecture Award Winners 2009] ((webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225224951/http://www.nzia.co.nz/content.aspx?c=219&t=NZ-Architecture-Awards |date=25 February 2009 )) (from the [[New Zealand Institute of Architects]] website. Accessed 7 June 2009.)</ref>

===Upgrade priorities===
To accommodate construction work, Auckland City Council reduced traffic lanes for vehicles to one lane in each direction in early 2007. A proposal was made for this to become permanent, with extended public transport provisions such as [[bus lane]]s and cycle lanes proposed for the outer lanes. Also proposed was a 30&nbsp;km/h speed limit. Committee discussions and [[public consultation]] resulted in four physical lanes being retained, mainly to safeguard the street layout for future public transport options such as [[light rail]].<ref name="HerQS">((cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10436179 |title='Buses first' on new-look Queen St |author=Johnston, Martin |date=26 April 2007 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |access-date=4 November 2011))</ref><ref name="TOUGH">((cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10450364 |title=Life to get tough for Queen St car drivers |author=Dearnaley, Mathew |date=9 July 2007 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |page=A5 |access-date=4 November 2011))</ref><ref name="PEDWORKS"/>

The changes included further improvements to pedestrian facilities, with the total footpath area increasing by 20% to almost 14,000 m<sup>2</sup>,<ref name="APRIL2008">((cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10505411 |title=First the 'massacre' – now the celebration |author=Orsman, Bernard |date=22 April 2008 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |access-date=4 November 2011))</ref> and longer traffic signal phases for pedestrians, while three new signalised pedestrian crossings were introduced mid-block, at accident 'black spots'. Also undertaken was a reduction of on-street parking spaces from 81 to 51, part of the prioritisation for pedestrians. The remaining spaces became dedicated short-term parking (i.e. drop-offs, loading). Not included in the design were dedicated bus bays, noted as a serious oversight by some critics, causing potential delays on the proposed bus lanes.<ref name="CITY"/><ref name="PEDWORKS">((cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/public-transport/news/article.cfm?c_id=536&objectid=10447462 |title=Pedestrians get the works |author=Dearnaley, Mathew |date=23 June 2007 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |access-date=4 November 2011))</ref><ref name="RUD">((cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/transport/news/article.cfm?c_id=97&objectid=10451249 |title=Brian Rudman: Dedicated followers of visions – but not for bus lanes it seems |author=Rudman, Brian |author-link=Brian Rudman |date=13 July 2007 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |access-date=4 November 2011))</ref>

== Shooting ==
((Main articles|2023 Auckland shooting))
On 20 July 2023, a [[mass shooting]] involving a construction site on the southern end of Queen Street occurred, resulting in the deaths of three people, including the shooter.<ref>((Cite web |date=2023-07-20 |title=Two people killed by gunman who stormed Auckland CBD building site, shooter also dead, multiple injured |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/police-responding-to-unfolding-incident-in-britomart-auckland/VU72UD5WX5GZJB4T6VX4AOKHEY/ |access-date=2023-07-20 |website=NZ Herald |language=en-NZ))</ref> 

==Buildings and attractions==
((More citations needed section|date=May 2021))
[[File:Aucklandtownhall.jpg|right|thumb|[[Auckland Town Hall]], a major civic building of the early 20th century.]]
[[File:Farmers building.jpg|thumb|The Farmers Trading Company premises, looking up from the corner of Queen Street and [[Victoria Street, Auckland|Victoria Street]].]]
[[File:GuardianBuildingAuckland.jpg|thumb|right|''The Guardian'' building, one of the heritage office buildings on the street, recently converted to apartments.]]
[[File:Vulcan Buildings.jpg|thumb|Vulcan Buildings, looking up from the corner of Queen Street and Vulcan Lane.]]

At the northern (waterfront) end of Queen Street are several significant buildings. These include:
* [[Auckland Ferry Terminal|Auckland Ferry Building]], 1911. [[Alexander Wiseman]] architect. This brick and sandstone building is in the Edwardian Baroque style. It was renovated in 1986 at a cost of $11&nbsp;million.
* [[Endeans Building]], 1914–15. Corner of Queen Street and Quay Street. Built by [[John Endean]], a prominent hotel proprietor, in 1905 and rebuilt 10 years later after a fire. Chilwell and Trevithick architects. The upper floors of this reinforced concrete building were converted to apartments during the 1990s.<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/property/news/article.cfm?c_id=8&objectid=11607898|access-date=18 June 2017|title=Landmark building with sea views|date=19 March 2016|publisher=NZ Herald))</ref> Listed as a Category II heritage building.<ref name="NZHPT 4597">((NZHPT|4597|Endeans Building|18 June 2017))</ref>
* [[Britomart Transport Centre|(Former) Chief Post Office]], 1910. [[John Campbell (architect)|John Campbell]] architect. Opened by Prime Minister [[William Massey]] before a crowd of over 8,000. This Edwardian Baroque building of limestone and granite has been incorporated into the [[Britomart Transport Centre]]. Campbell was the Government Architect, and consequently this building has similar features to the [[New Zealand Parliament Buildings]] in [[Wellington]], which were constructed around the same time.
* [[Custom House, Auckland|(Former) Custom House]], 1888. [[Thomas Mahoney (architect)|Thomas Mahoney]] architect, 22 Customs St. This building displays the [[mansard]] roofs typical of the [[French Second Empire]] Style. In 1909 an addition was built to the south [now demolished]. Prior to the Town Hall's opening in 1911 several departments of the Auckland City Council were located here. The Custom House was renovated for retail use in the 1980s.[[File:The old Auckland Customhouse, c.1889.jpg|thumb|The old Auckland Customhouse, c.1889]]

Between Customs Street and Wellesley Street, Queen Street is lined with retail and office buildings. This section of the street is where the majority of the high-rise buildings are located. These are mostly 20th century in origin, although a number of 19th century structures survive. Many large corporations, insurance companies and banks had substantial buildings on Queen Street and in some cases their head offices were located here rather than in Wellington (the capital). The most significant buildings along the middle part of the street are the:
* [[Dilworth Building]], 1927. [[Gummer and Ford]] architects. 22 Queen St. Envisaged as one of a pair of buildings flanking the entrance to Queen Street and thus being a "Gateway to Auckland". The use of electric cranes rather than hydraulic meant a very short construction period. The Dilworth Building is a [[reinforced concrete]] structure encased in Portland stone. [[William Gummer]] had been trained in the offices of [[Sir Edwin Lutyens]], and this building shows influence of this connection.
* The Queens Arcade – 34 Queen Street. 1920s Neo-classical building linking the eastern side of Queen Street with Customs Street.
* [[Imperial Hotel, Auckland|Imperial Hotel]] – 66 Queen Street. A Victorian building from 1883 that is now used as a backpackers, the Imperial Hotel incorporated a building that had previously been offices for the [[Auckland Harbour Board]] and the Gas Board.<ref>((NZHPT|4593|Imperial Hotel (Former)|9 August 2020))</ref>
* Guardian Trust Building – 105 Queen Street. A 1919 [[reinforced concrete]] structure distinguished by bronze entrance columns. The architect [[William Gummer]] had been trained in the offices of [[Sir Edwin Lutyens]], and this building shows influence of this connection. The stone used on the Queen Street façade and in the lobby is Cloudy Bay Marble from Nelson.
* The Deloitte Centre – 80 Queen Street. New tower designed by Woods Bagot Architects which incorporates the Jean Batten State Building.
* Jean Batten State Building – Named after the pioneer New Zealand aviator [[Jean Batten]]. Designed by [[John Thomas Mair|John Mair]], government architect in 1937 and completed in 1940. This was intended as office space for Government departments in Auckland which had outgrown their premises in the Custom House in nearby Customs Street. The building was used by the [[American High Command]] as their headquarters for the duration of the Second World War.
* South British Insurance Building – 15 Shortland Street. 1927 building by [[R F Draffin]] for the South British Insurance Company – the lobby is arguably the best Art-Deco interior in Auckland. The addition to the east dates from 1968 and is on the site of a Victorian Pub.
* General Building – 33 Shortland Street. Neo-Classical skyscraper built for the [[Yorkshire Insurance Company]]. Designed by [[W R Bloomfield]] in 1928. Bloomfield was probably the first Maori architect. The Shortland Street facade of this building was extended in 1977. Few people looking at the building would be aware that the right hand {western} side of the building is from 1928 and the left hand {eastern} from 1977 as the classical detailing was perfectly replicated.
* [[Bank of New Zealand Building, Auckland|Bank of New Zealand Building]], 1865. [[Leonard Terry]] architect. 125 Queen St. Built of beige sandstone imported from [[Hobart]], Australia, this building was originally only five bays wide, and in 1882 two more bays were added on the Queen Street facade. In 1986 this building was substantially altered, and now only the facade remains, attached to a large high rise office building.
* [[Vulcan Buildings]], 1928. Holman, Moses & Watkins architects. This elegant building stands prominently on the southern corner of Vulcan Lane<ref>((Cite web|url=http://heritageetal.blogspot.co.nz/2013/10/vulcan-lane.html|title = Vulcan Lane))</ref> and Queen Street, and has design influences principally from [[Neoclassical architecture]], but also the English [[Arts and Crafts movement]]. A defining feature is the [[cupola]] on the top of the building. The building also marks a significant change in built form of Central Auckland, as the city was being transformed from the low-rise buildings of the 19th century to the high-rise buildings of the 20th century.<ref name="AGUIDE">''A Guide to the Architecture of Central Auckland'' – Errol Haarhoff. Balasoglou Books 2003</ref>
* [[Landmark House]], formerly Auckland Electric Power Board Building 1927. Wade & Bartley architects. Cnr Queen St and Durham St east. This is an example of the early [[Art Deco]] – [[Gothic Revival architecture|gothic]] [[skyscraper style]]. The design emphasises the vertical, drawing on references from Chicago and New York skyscrapers of the period. The [[Auckland Electric Power Board]] used the building as a form of advertising by flood lighting the exterior.
* [[Queen Victoria Building, Auckland]], formerly John Courts Building. Designed by John Currie in 1899 for the Direct Supply Company. Cnr Queen St and Victoria St East. The first three stories are in the Victorian Italianate style. Internally the building retains its timber columns and floor structure. In 1910 John Court opened his department store in the building and in 1916 added three stories in the same style. 
* [[Jack Manning (architect)#AMP Building, Auckland|AMP Building – 220 Queen Street]]. 1962 Modernist New York Style Skyscraper. This building is an example of a [[Glass curtain wall]] and is distinguished by crisp metal detailing. Designed by [[Jack Manning (architect)|Jack Manning]] for Thorp Cutter Pickmere & Douglas Architects.
* [[Strand Arcade, Auckland|Strand Arcade]] 233–237 Queen St. Commissioned by local businessman [[Arthur Myers]], built in 1900 with the latest in lifts, ventilation and lighting (the basement restaurant could seat 700). The architect was Arthur Pollard Wilson (who also designed [[Karangahape Road#Pitt Street intersection|Naval and Family Hotel]], [[Customs Street#Gallery|Arthur H Nathan Warehouse]], [[Northern Steamship Company#The Northern Steam Ship Company Building, Quay St|Northern Steam Ship Company Building]] and [[List of category 1 historic places in Auckland|Isaacs’ Bonded Stores]])<ref>((Cite web |date=May 2017 |title=Heritage Evaluation - Darby Building, 8-18 Darby Street, Auckland Central |url=https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/UnitaryPlanDocuments/pc7-02792-darby-building.pdf |website=Auckland Council))</ref> Renovated in 1970 this Edwardian shopping arcade has remained largely unaltered.
* [[Auckland Savings Bank Building]], 1884. [[Edward Bartley]] architect. 260 Queen St. This is an example of the mid Victorian italianate style. The facade displays columns and panels of coloured marble and granite. In 1977 this building became a [[McDonald's New Zealand|McDonald's]] restaurant, although the facade and interior remain largely intact due to a sensitive renovation.

Beyond the Wellesley Street intersection lies the midtown district, with its entertainment and civic focus, centred on [[Aotea Square, Auckland|Aotea Square]]. Here are located most of the important civic buildings, including the:
* [[Auckland Civic Theatre]], 1929. Bohringer, Taylor & Johnson architects. 269 Queen St. This is one of the best remaining examples of an [[atmospheric theatre]]. The monumental [[Art Deco]] stripped-classical facade hides a lavish Hollywood inspired interior. The lobby is a reproduction of an Indian rock temple decorated with 500 elephants. The auditorium is decorated as an open courtyard in ancient [[Baghdad]], the ceiling imitating the night sky with hundreds of electric stars placed as they appear in the southern sky. Extensively renovated in 1994 it is now part of a larger entertainment and retail complex. The renovation fixed several problems including the undersized stage and inadequate backstage facilities.
* [[St. James Theatre, Auckland|St. James Theatre]] – 316 Queen Street. 1927 theatre building in the 1920s Hollywood/Spanish style designed for vaudeville but wired for talking pictures in 1929. The stage capacity, acoustics and seating sightlines meant this theatre was superior to the other venues of the period (His Majesty's, King's Theatre, and the Auckland Opera House); even after the appearance of the Civic it still stood out as the best venue for traditional live theatre. The landmark turret above the Queen street entrance is possibly still concealed behind modernist cladding.
* Bledisloe House, 1959. A modernist glass facade office block designed for Central Government services as part of the proposed Civic Centre. Designed by [[Gordon Wilson (architect)|Gordon Wilson]] with Jack Beere and named after Lord Bledisloe (Governor-General of New Zealand from 1930 to 1935). This was the only one of a complex of six identical buildings planned for the environs of what is now Aotea Square. The other five buildings were to be the new Town Hall, a City Administration block, a new Public Library, public Art Gallery and a final office block to be rented out as commercial office space. In the middle of this complex was to be the Auckland Centennial Theatre and a public square. The Admin Bldg was eventually built in 1966 in a different form and the theatre appeared in 1989 as the Aotea Centre. The other four buildings would have required the demolition of all the other buildings on this city block including the 1911 Town Hall and the Civic Theatre. The Bledisloe Building was renovated in 2014 by Auckland Council.
* [[Aotea Centre]], 1990. [[Ewen Wainscott]] architect. Initially proposed in 1949 as the Auckland Centennial Hall, construction of this building was delayed for several decades. Intended to supplant the town hall, when it opened it was found to have acoustical problems resulting in a costly refit. Complaints from performers over many years resulted in the renovation of the Town Hall. The lobby of the Aotea Centre contains many art works by New Zealand artists.
* [[Council Administration Block]], 1966. [[Tibor Donner|Tibor K.Donner]] architect. Considered a positive example of 1950s [[modernism]], which contrasts with the 1911 Town Hall on the far side of Aotea Square. Is considered to be Auckland's first 'skyscraper'.<ref name="AGUIDE"/>
* [[Auckland Town Hall]], 1911. J. Clark & Sons architects. 303 Queen St. A [[Melbourne]] firm designed this building in the English [[Baroque]] style. It is built of Melbourne Bluestone and [[Oamaru stone]] with [[art nouveau]] leadlight windows. The main auditorium has excellent acoustics being based upon the famous [[Gewandhaus]] Concert Hall in [[Leipzig]], Germany. The large [[pipe organ]] was donated by [[Henry Brett (journalist)|Sir Henry Brett]], a former mayor of Auckland. This building was renovated in the late 1990s and continues to be widely considered as Auckland's premier concert venue.

Further up Queen Street beyond Mayoral Drive is the uptown district, centred on [[Myers Park (Auckland)|Myers Park]]. This is often referred to as Upper Queen Street, although that name actually refers to a separate continuation of Queen Street on the other side of the [[K'Road]] ridge. The most significant buildings in this area are the:
* 'Queen Street Shops' – 456–488 Queen Street. Range of Edwardian retail buildings from 1909 onwards. Designed by two Auckland architects, T W May and Alexander Wiseman. These form a harmonious ensemble facing Myers Park but also retain many original features often removed from other structures; the curved corrugated iron verandahs are intact and held up by vertical posts, and virtually all the shops' fronts are intact including the glazed tile work surrounds.
* [[Theosophical Society Building (Auckland)|Theosophical Society Building]], 1923. [[Henry Robinson (architect)|Henry Robinson]] architect. Located at the Queen St entrance to Myers Park, this is a fine example of interwar [[neo-classical architecture]] for the [[Theosophical Society]] replacing an earlier structure from 1912 located further down Queen Street. Recently renovated as a '[[Strip club|gentlemen's club]]' called 'The White House'.
* [[Myers Free Kindergarten]] 1916 [[B.Chilwell]] & [[R.Trevithick]] architects. Designed as a large homely cottage this brick and stucco building is located in the middle of the 1914 Myers Park. An example of [[Arts and Crafts movement|Arts & Crafts]] architecture which still operates as a [[kindergarten]].
* [[Auckland Baptist Tabernacle]] 1884 [[Edmund Bell]] architect. Near the corner of Queen St & Karangahape Road. Large Imperial Roman temple. The interior has decorative ceiling stencilwork in the [[neo-classical style]] by Samuel and [[Charles Blomfield (artist)|Charles Blomfield]].

Beyond the Karangahape Road ridge the southernmost 500 metres of the street is called Upper Queen Street, and it crosses the eastern part of the [[Central Motorway Junction]], the largest interchange on the [[New Zealand state highway network]].

== Image gallery ==
<gallery>
File:NZ AK Britomart (1).jpg|<div style= "text-align:center">The Old Auckland Chief Post Office,<br>now Britomart</div>
File:Dilworth Building - 24458134708.jpg|<div style= "text-align:center">[[Dilworth Building]]</div>
File:NZ AK Queens Arcade (1).jpg |<div style= "text-align:center">Queens Arcade</div>
File:NZ AK Bank of New Zealand Building (1).jpg|<div style= "text-align:center">[[Bank of New Zealand Building, Auckland|Bank of New Zealand Building]]</div>
File:Shopping Arcade Off Queen, Elliott Street.jpg|<div style= "text-align:center">Strand Arcade</div>
File:NZ AK Auckland Savings Bank.jpg|<div style= "text-align:center">[[Auckland Savings Bank Building|Auckland Savings Bank (Former)]]</div>
File:Civic Theatre Auckland.jpg|<div style= "text-align:center">[[Civic Theatre, Auckland|Civic Theatre]]</div>
File:NZ AK Terrace of Shops (1).jpg|<div style= "text-align:center">Terrace of Shops on Queen Street</div>
File:NZ AK Baptist Tabernacle (1).jpg|<div style= "text-align:center">[[Auckland Baptist Tabernacle]]</div>
File:NZ AK Queen Street.jpg|<div style= "text-align:center">Queen Street in 2023</div>
</gallery>

==References==
((Reflist|30em))
*''The Lively Capital, Auckland 1840–1865'' – Una Platts, Avon Fine Prints Limited New Zealand 1971.
*''The Heart of Colonial Auckland, 1865–1910'' – Terence Hodgson. Random Century NZ Ltd 1992.
*''Colonial Architecture in New Zealand'' – John Stacpoole. A.H & A.W. Reed 1976.
*''Decently And in Order, The Centennial History of the Auckland City Council'' – G.W.A Bush. Collins 1971.
*''Auckland Through A Victorian Lens'' – William Main. Millwood Press 1977.
*''Auckland City Heritage Walks'' – Susan Yoffe & Tania Mace, 2005.

==External links==
((Commons category|Queen Street, Auckland))
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20040708101547/http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/council/projects/cbdproject/queensthistory.asp History of Queen Street] (from the [[Auckland City Council]] website)

((coord|-36.849784|174.764972|type:landmark_region:NZ|display=title))

((Streets in Auckland))
[[Category:Streets in Auckland]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Auckland]]
[[Category:Auckland CBD]]

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