Kingston Sorting Office

The Kingston Sorting Office is a purpose-built telephone exchange constructed in 1907 and opened in June 1908. Designed by architect John Rutherford, who worked for the Ministry of Works, the building showcases an Arts and Crafts style with an asymmetrical plan. It is made of red brick in Flemish bond, featuring stone dressings and a slate roof.

The entrance front has a butterfly plan with a central clustered brick and stone chimneystack. The end gables have stone coping and kneelers on pilasters, and the attics are adorned with tripartite slit windows. The right-hand gable features a two-storey canted bay, with pilasters separating the bays, curved iron casements on the first floor, and mullioned and transomed windows on the ground floor. A two-storey projection in the angle of the L has two casements with stone surrounds, and the left side has a round-headed doorcase with a hood moulding on brackets, a tripartite fanlight, and double doors. To the left, there are two curved casements on the first floor and mullioned and transomed casements on the ground floor. Attached by a brick wall is a low stone wall with iron spear railings, which feature elaborate insignia of Edward VII and a cast iron lamp.

The left side elevation has a half-hipped roof with a continuous 12-light dormer, five round-headed casements on the first floor, and a doorcase approached by a flight of steps with an iron handrail. The ground floor has tripartite casements. The right side elevation is blank but includes a large canopy at the far end.

Inside, there is a mosaic-tiled entrance hall, with a clerk's office to the left and a manager's office to the right, followed by the engineers' office. A large open-plan "test room" is located at the far end, along with a small "battery room." On the first floor, the cloakrooms, kitchen, and dining room correspond to the offices below, with a large "switch" room corresponding to the "test room." The floors are supported by simple Doric cast iron columns, and the roof features simple steel truss construction. Throughout the building, there are solid wood block doors and some white glazed tiles.