Grafton is a resilient community.  From its beginnings in the mid-19th Century, it has evolved from a high quality exclusive residential district to the mixed community of businesses, medical facilities, student accommodation, renters and long-term residences it is today.

The Auckland Directory for Grafton Road from 1878 to 1970 is an example of the wider Grafton district.  Grafton Road, with its extensive views and close vicinity to the city was a desirable address for professionals, especially solicitors.  There were also a mixture of other employments recorded in the directory such as musicians, clerks, retail workers and shipping agents.  By 1891, the number of professionals, including one judge, had risen to 15.  The first boarding houses were operating by 1899 and this became a strong feature of Grafton Road until the 1980s.  The fine large houses were seen as ideal for conversion to boarding houses and flats.

By the 1920s, the number of boarding houses had risen to 11 and to 18 by 1932.  The number of professionals started to decline by 1950, with only 7 in 1953.  During this decade businesses started to move into Grafton Road: Bluebird Products (196 Grafton Road), Foodstuffs (166) and clothing manufacturer (164).

The Directory of 1970 shows that the type of professionals had changed from solicitors to medical practitioners, working in medical chambers.  The influence of the University of Auckland and the Auckland Hospital is also evident e.g. student and nurses’ accommodation, nursing homes, hospital uses.

Major changes occurred in the 1980s with the zoning of lower Grafton Road making it suitable for offices and the motorway side of upper Grafton Road being re-zoned for high-rise residential.  With these district plan changes the old boarding houses were removed and modern office blocks and high-rise apartment buildings were erected.  Later, low-rise apartments and town houses were built on the other side of upper Grafton Road.  This new intensification is a reflection of the desire of council to increase the population of the city fringe and the desirability of Grafton as a residential suburb close to the amenities of the city.