Allely Building (1994–2000 Great North Road)

Robert Joseph Allely purchased the land where this building stands in 1911 from William Hanson Blayney. This is the earliest two-storey retail building in Avondale, and it replaced an earlier timber shop on the site. Allely had his chemist shop at ground level and a dental surgery above. He sold the property in 1912 but remained as a tenant until the early 1920s.

During his time in Avondale in the 1910s and early 1920s, Allely was Avondale’s source of general medical help, as well as the dentist. He and his wife set up an influenza hospital on the Avondale Racecourse during the pandemic of 1918, working at all hours to help treat the locals, including those from Blockhouse Bay and West Auckland. For his services during this time, the Avondale Road Board held a special presentation in January 1919. Apparently his work during this time negatively impacted his health causing him to leave Avondale by 1922.

Continue north along Great North Road.