The Albemarle is a favourite Wellington buildings (more images in gallery). Partly because of its dome and elaborate facade – gestures of wealth and optimism which would probably be too extravagent for a developer today – and partly its story: from proud Edwardian temperance Hotel with its name permanently chiselled into the stone; to headquarters of a workingman’s strike in 1913; to downmarket boarding house in the 1950s; then to rooms by the day for the homeless and by the hour for the oldest profession by the 1970s. It’s categorised as heritage but is an earthquake risk and unoccupied, pending redevelopment which has at last started (yay).
Several media – oils, charcoal, pencil, acrylic, ink.
Alistair McDonald's Art 
I love all the aspects you’ve captured. The building is beautiful and you’ve really made me feel it.