The Albemarle is a favourite Wellington building (more images in gallery), partly because of its dome and elaborate facade – gestures of wealth and optimism in 1906 which would likely be too extravagent for a developer today – and partly its story.
Built as part of development of the Cuba Quarter when the local Council tram line was extended to upper Cuba Street replacing the (old fashioned and messy) horse drawn drays. Initially a 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.