You're invited to come and help us celebrate the launch of K Road Business Association's Heritage Walk Karangahape Road brochure. The result of three years research by K Road Historian Edward Bennett, the brochure showcases a pictorial collection of the precinct's architectural and cultural history from the mid 1800's through to the present. Image: Partington's Windmill - demolished 1950Including everything from anecdotes about how St Kevin's Arcade came to be so named to tit-bits about how two refugees from Nazism brought Bauhaus-style to the street and the location of Auckland's first Lesbian Nightclub, the publication is both entertaining and insightful. Indeed how many of us knew that Scoria House (now St Kevin's Arcade) was used as Government House by George Grey from 1848 to 1851? Or that George Courts was the Air Raid Central Command for Auckland during WWII as it was made of reinforced concrete? Hannah's, Hallensteins and Rendells are just three of New Zealand's great retail names whose businesses were founded here. Most of their buildings were designed by eminent architects. Rendells Department Store was designed by William Holman, Selfridges is a remodel by Plischke & Fantl, George Courts by Clinton Savage and Edward Mahoney designed several buildings for the Hallensteins Menswear Company, creating a house style for them. This superb pictorial and fascinating text record of over 60 of K Road's architectural delights, old images, maps, plans and new photos is a collectors item in its own right. Guests will be greeted by the Karangahape Road Business Association and founding patron, The Langham Hotel, Auckland. Mr Bennett will outline the highlights of the walks and guest speaker Councillor Christine Caughey, Auckland City Council Environment Heritage and Urban Form Chair, will officially launch the brochure. Hopetoun Alpha, 19 Beresford St, Newton at 6pm, Tuesday 5 September 2006. www.kroad.com Image: Partington's Windmill demolished 1950