In 1881, the Union Steam Ship Company began operations to the Fiji Islands when their vessel “Southern Cross” initiated service from New Zealand. The company established routes connecting New Zealand, Australia, the Pacific, and North America, becoming the largest shipping line in the southern hemisphere and New Zealand’s largest private-sector employer.
During its peak, the company ran a hotel in Fiji, owned offices and wharves in Australia, a printing works and coal business in New Zealand, and had a network of branch offices across the South Pacific. It also operated airlines.
The first Suva office of the Union Steam Ship Company, a timber structure, was built in 1900 and served until 1934, when a modern building replaced it. Before establishing its own office, the company was represented by shipping agents, including Ernest Ford in 1884 and A.M. Duncan in 1888.
The land for the first office required reclamation work, costing an additional 220 pounds to the original budget of 650 pounds. The wooden structure had a shingled roof but was primitive, facing water inundation during extreme weather. Electric lighting was not installed until 1920, with kerosene and petrol gas lamps being the only light source before that.
Initially, the office used the private exchange run by the CSR Company for telephone services. From 1920, the office suffered from dilapidation, with rotting boards and a leaky roof. However, the company’s operations in Fiji expanded, handling famous ships like Aorangi, Niagara, Matua, Tofua, and Tarawera, and serving as an agent for Union South Pacific.
In 1934, the wooden office was replaced by a modern concrete building costing 3,000 pounds, described as a significant addition to Suva’s modern premises. Further reclamation in 1939 helped the property withstand hurricanes in 1941 and 1952, and the earthquake and tidal wave of 1955.
The building underwent various interior layout and decoration changes over four decades. A major renovation in 1980 led to the construction of Union Travel Plaza. The office moved temporarily to Harris Street in 1979.
The plaza, between the general post office and Westpac Bank, became a popular shopping destination in central Suva. Businesses like The Crossroads, owned by Jane Usher, offered products sourced from Italian craftsmen and European manufacturers. Another prominent business was Boomerang Duty Free, established by Jayanti Lal, dealing in products from brands distributed by Motibhai and Company.
One notable project linked to the Union Steam Ship Company was the Grand Pacific Hotel (GPH). Planning for the hotel began in 1908, and it was built by Hall Hogg and Company from Dunedin, New Zealand. The hotel opened on May 23, 1914, with 35 rooms, designed to offer cool comfort and style in a tropical climate.
The GPH was praised for its architecture and modern amenities, including electric fans and wide verandas. The Roof Garden was a popular feature, providing a space for guests to enjoy the evening breeze and sunset over Suva Harbour. The hotel also included a drawing room for ladies, a billiard room, smoking room, writing room, and a bar for men.
The hotel changed ownership in 1958 and was later managed by Cathay Hotels (Fiji) Ltd. Today, the plaza where the first Suva office was located remains, now called Marchant Finance Plaza, and has housed various businesses over the years, currently accommodating Optic Eyecare and Macquarie Travelworld.