Balmoral, New Zealand

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Balmoral
Local Authority Auckland City
Characteristics:
Surrounded by:
North Kingsland
East Mount Eden
South Mount Roskill
South-west Sandringham
West Saint Lukes

Balmoral is a suburb of Auckland, New Zealand that is bordered by Mt Eden, Epsom, Mount Roskill and Sandringham and is located approximately 5 km from the centre of Auckland. It was named around the turn of the 20th century and derives it name from the Scottish country residence of the royal Family. Much of the housing in the area is from the 1920s and 1930s often in the Californian Bungalow style. Balmoral was part of Mount Eden Borough Council which became a part of Auckland City in 1989.

A distinctive feature are the numerous Asian restaurants that are located in the Balmoral shopping area and the surrounding Dominion Road intersection. These restaurants have a reputation for producing great food at very reasonable prices. Auckland's version of Chinatown is in Queen Street opposite Myers Park but Balmoral is a solid contender for this title.

The largest building in the Balmoral shops is the Capital Picture Theatre a cinema built in the neo-Greek style. During the 1980s it was one of Auckland's most popular art film venues, known as "Charlie Greys". It is still a cinema, but screens mainly Indian films.

The 1957 Mount Eden War Memorial Hall is located on Dominion Road near the intersection with Balmoral Road. Opposite it is Potter's Park named after Frederick Potter, one of Balmoral's Victorian landowners who gifted a piece of land for the community. On the opposite side of Balmoral Road, there is an indoor sports centre.