In the early 20th century Te Aro was tightly packed with tenements and workers' cottages.

This is a celebration of these survivors of decades of urban makeover in the streets surrounding Thistle Hall. There are surprisingly few holdouts left other than those restored in the nearby "heritage precinct" following the destruction much of upper Cuba St during building of the bypass.

The paintings in this exhibition show some of those still standing, hiding in plain view surrounded by offices, apartment blocks, and parking lots.