The Oxford Building has watched over the corner of Stafford and George Streets for almost a century.
Built in 1924 and 1925, it replaced an earlier run of shops and storerooms that had stood on this site since the earliest days of Timaru’s commercial life. Reinforced concrete was a modern choice for its time, and the new building quickly became one of the town’s more confident landmarks on what had long been known as the Great South Road.
Commissioned by D. C. Turnbull & Co. Designed by Turnbull & Rule (James S. Turnbull and Percy Watts Rule); and built by A. Kennedy in 1924–25.
The building was originally planned as three storeys, later expanded to four, becoming Timaru’s tallest commercial building at the time.
The building is a Interwar Classical design style, featuring Union Jack parapets, fanlights, and rusticated bays and was named “The Oxford” in honour of Richard Turnbull’s birthplace in Oxford, England.
The design came from the respected Timaru architectural firm of Turnbull and Rule.
James S. Turnbull, born in Timaru in 1864, had already made his name through a wide range of commercial buildings, churches and homes across South Canterbury. He partnered with Percy Watts Rule, who began in the office as a junior and worked his way up to partnership. Together they shaped many familiar parts of the city. The Oxford Building was commissioned by James’s brother, David C. Turnbull, a well-known local merchant of D.C Turnbull & Co on Strathallan Street.
The history of this corner stretches back further than the 1920s façade.
In 1864, this was one of the busiest spots in town. Merchants Richard Turnbull and David Clarkson first developed the corner in 1864, opening Clarkson and Turnbull’s wooden store just a block from the early port where surfboats brought goods ashore. After a major fire in 1868, the timber buildings were replaced in stone, and the site remained a hub for trade and community life.
Through each change, the location stayed central to the rhythm of the town. When the Oxford Building rose in the 1920s, it carried all that history with it. The wide windows, the generous corner entrance and the sturdy materials were designed for a busy commercial future.
1925. Gabites’ menswear store reopens in the new Oxford Building. Early tenants included The Press, The Weekly Press. After 110 years the Gabities store closes its doors 1940s.
1951. D.C. Turnbull aged 83 dies. After over 50 years of Turnbull family ownership, the Oxford Building is sold in 1977 and becomes known as the Government Life Building.
2013. The Oxford Restaurant, established by Michael and Clarissa Doran, opens on the ground floor. Their fit-out celebrates the building’s shop fronts and their logo was inspired by the ceilings, continuing the 160 + year story.
Today. Now owned and managed by Stockman Group Ltd, the Oxford Building has been carefully refurbished, maintaining its heritage façade and grand interiors. Still standing strong after a century and ready for the next, it is a defining feature of Timaru’s skyline.
