Duckett White's land was first subdivided in 1911 to the east of the present railway line. The Lota Park Estate, west of the line, was sold in 1918. Lota School of Arts opened on the corner of Alexander and MacDonald Streets in 1927, and played host to dance evenings, film screenings and classes. The Rix-Farmer Memorial Presbyterian Church opened in opposite Lota House Oceana Terrace in 1931. The same year, Great Depression 'relief work' led to the reclamation of land along the Esplanade, and the building of Lota's seawall.