John Farrell (1868–1938) was a New Zealand architect, businessman, and politician who served as mayor of Grey Lynn from 1904 to 1907 and as the Auckland Education Board architect from 1907 to 1924.

Farrell partnered with his son, Raymond Leslie Farrell, before partnering with William Henry Glover as J. Farrell, Son & Glover.

Several of Farrell's buildings have heritage registrations.

Early life

John Farrell was born in Auckland in 1868. He and his family moved to Thames where he lived until later returning to Auckland for university.

Farrell married his wife in 1892.

Farrell worked as a builder and contractor before working as an architect.

Political career John Farrell became a member of the Grey Lynn Borough Council in 1899 before serving as mayor of Grey Lynn from 1904 to 1907. He resigned from the mayoralty to serve as the Auckland Education Board architect.

Farrell unsuccessfully ran for parliament on two occasions. First as a Conservative in the Grey Lynn electorate in 1905, and in 1922, as a Reform Party candidate for the Auckland West electorate.

Auckland Education Board architect

Farrell wrote in his application for the Auckland Education Board's architect role that he had trained under Robert McKay Fripp, George Selwyn Goldsbro', and Robert Martin Watt.

Farrell served as the Auckland Education Board architect from 1907 to 1924. Most his work in this role has not been identified with many of his buildings likely having been demolished for larger and more modern classrooms. Farrell made designs for buildings in Northland, Auckland, the Waikato, and the Bay of Plenty during his tenure.

Farrell's preferred style changed over his tenure; Farrell started with a 'floral Edwardian style' but by the inter war period his works were of a 'restrained stripped classical modernism' style. Farrell started designing more simpler and less detailed buildings in 1914 in line with contemporary architectural beliefs.

In 1919 Farrell designed three manual training schools at Onehunga, Vermont Street, and Avondale.

One of the last buildings Farrell designed as Auckland Education Board architect was the Ponsonby School at Curran Street. This building was innovative for the time with reinforced concrete posts and beam frames used to create large openings. This later became the standard for non-residential buildings.

Farrell resigned from his role in 1924 to travel the world with his wife and son before returning to Auckland in 1925.

Later career John Farrell partnered with his son Raymond Leslie Farrell and later they partnered with William Henry Glover in 1925 to become J. Farrell, Son & Glover.

In 1925 Farrell became the Auckland Hospital Board architect.

Farrell later served as a director of multiple companies and firms.

Farrell died at his home in Devonport on 19 October 1938 at the age of 70.

Personal life Farrell played rugby for the Auckland University College and was a member of the Auckland Boxing Association. He served as a president of the Auckland Orphans' Club and was a life member of the Old Thames Boys' Association.

Legacy Many of Farrell's buildings have been demolished. One of Farrell's buildings is registered with Heritage New Zealand and several have registration with Auckland Council and the Waikato District Council as historic buildings.

The Press Association of New Zealand described Farrell's designs as 'some of the finest school buildings in New Zealand'.

List of buildings Name Date Image Note RefBeresford Street School1907Likely the first building designed by Farrell in his role as Auckland Education Board architect. Registered as a category B building with Auckland Council. The building is now part of Auckland Girls GrammarRemuera Primary School1909Now demolishedStanley Bay School1909Farrell designed an alteration 1916 and the date of construction falls within his tenure as Auckland Education Board architect. Registered as a category B building with Auckland Council25 Kerr StreetBefore 1911Was Farrell's private home from 1911 until his death. Modified significantly by Farrell. Registered as a category B building with Auckland CouncilEdendale School1909DemolishedGrey Lynn School1910DemolishedHamilton High School1911DemolishedMt Eden School1912Demolished in 1963Gordonton School teacher's residence1914Registered as a category 2 building with Heritage New Zealand and category B building with Waikato District CouncilGlen Massey School1914Registered as a category B building with the Waikato District CouncilNew Lynn School1914DemolishedMaungawhau District School1914Demolished in 1976–1979St Heliers School1915Meadowbank School1916DemolishedOhaupo School1916Demolished in 2015Horotiu School1917Te Papapa School1920DemolishedBelmont School1920Demolished in 1978Pipiroa teacher's residence1920Waitahanui school building1920Woodlands school building1920Goodwood school building1920Onehunga Manual Training School1922 Registered as a Category B building with Auckland CouncilVermont Street Manual Training SchoolDesigned 1919No longer in situ, presumed demolishedAvondale Manual Training SchoolDesigned 1919No longer in situ, presumed demolishedPonsonby Primary School1922Registered as a category B building with Auckland CouncilTakapuna Primary School War Memorial Gates1923Registered as a category B building with Auckland Council.Hillcrest School1923M.H. Walsh shops and dwellings1926–1927Registered as a category B building with Auckland CouncilWilson Home bath houseDesigned 1937Mt Eden Normal Primary School War Memorial Gates1924Possibly the work of Farrell. Registered as a category B building with Auckland Council.

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