The Standard Building last week, with the conservation and redevelopment work largely completed, and a new window added on the ground floor, where a cafe is expected to start operating soon, perhaps next month. Photo by Gerard O'Brien. : 'Absolutely incredible' revamp of heritage building

This photograph, taken in September 2009, shows the red-painted Standard Building immediately before the start of an extensive restoration and renovation project, now nearing an end. The building was home to the Canton Cafe until 1994. Photo by David... : 'Absolutely incredible' revamp of heritage building

This image, taken in 1880, five years after construction was completed, shows the Standard Building (immediately beside the corner bank building) when it was still partly tenanted by the Standard Fire and Marine Insurance Co. Photo by Auckland Libraries. : 'Absolutely incredible' revamp of heritage building

This photograph, perhaps taken in the 1920s, shows the Standard Building when its ground floor had become home to fish retailers Stewart's Ltd, with the Cafe Cecil still operating upstairs. : 'Absolutely incredible' revamp of heritage building