Warehouse (Former)

Thompson Brothers, 10 - 16 Blair Street, Former Wellington Fruit and Produce Market - 1920's Addition, 7 Allen Street, 9 Allen Street, 11 Allen Street, 13 Allen Street, 15 Allen Street

7 - 17 Allen Street (& 12- 18 Blair Street), Te Aro, Wellington
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7-17 Allen Street Façade. Image: Charles Collins, 2014)

7-17 Allen Street Façade. Image: WCC - Charles Collins, 2014


10-18 Blair Street Facade. Image: Charles Collins, 2014

10-18 Blair Street Facade. Image: WCC - Charles Collins, 2014


Cityview GIS 2013
Cityview GIS 2013
WCC Archives reference 00055: 9: A932 – plans
WCC Archives reference 00055: 9: A932 – plans
Map

  • Constructed

    1923 - 1923

  • Heritage Area

    Courtenay Place Heritage Area

  • Architect(s)

    Thomas Turnbull and Son / William Turnbull

  • Builder(s)

    E.S. Knight

  • An interwar stripped classical style warehouse, demonstrating this area’s 19th and early 20th century masonry warehouses.

    The Wellington produce markets were in this building for over 50 years and played an essential role in Wellington’s early 20th century commercial and economic development.

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  • close History

    • Formerly a slum area, the district surrounding Allen and Blair Streets was redeveloped from 1898-1904 after the land came under the control of the Harbour Board. With preparations to install the new electric tram network in hand and the Te Aro railway station located nearby, the Harbour Board decided to turn the area into a market. The area’s fortunes soon rose with the construction of warehouses along the lengths of Allen and Blair Streets. Between 1904 and 1906 a variety of warehouse buildings were constructed along both sides of Allen and Blair Streets. These warehouses were used for storage and auctions. They were two or three stories high with a variety of street facades, some more ornate than others. In many of the stores markets and auctions were held on the ground floor with offices on the floors above. Allen and Blair Streets bustled with vendors, merchants and numerous vehicles loading and unloading produce and other marketable goods.

      This building is one of two that have frontages on both Allen and Blair Streets. It was designed by Thomas Turnbull and Son as offices and a warehouse as an addition to the Fruit and Produce Exchange building which had been constructed for Laery and Co in 1905 (19-23 Allen Street). The plans for the extension were submitted on the 3rd January 1923. In 1928 the building was engulfed by a large fire. As the building extended through to Blair Street the fire had to be fought from both sides. It is estimated that the fire caused damage to the value of £300, 000. Newspapers of the time stated that the fire broke out inside the premises of Thompson Bros, a statement that the Thompsons were keen to quash. 

      In its structure it is typical of the earlier warehouses built in the precinct, although with steel rather than cast iron columns. The design of the facades to Allen and Blair Street is Stripped Classical with some vestigial Classical details; in particular the simple pilasters between the columns that once visually supported the entablature that has been removed. The facades have a plain and regular grid of wide openings with steel frames, vertical pilasters between the five bays, and plain horizontal bands at floor and parapet levels. 

      The building has been through a number of alterations since its construction, the most obvious is the removal of the ornamental entablature in 1944 following the earthquake in 1943, and the removal of cart loading doors and replacement with shop fronts. While this is one of the plainest buildings in the precinct, it is comparable because of its scale and form, and continues the pattern of wide windows and door openings that are common in the area. 

    • Modifications close
      • 1923
      • Original construction (00055: 9: A932)
      • 1929
      • Alterations and additions – reinstate building after fire (00056: 73: B6985)
      • 1930
      • Reinstate building after fire (00056: 114: B10353)
      • 1935
      • Alterations to cart dock (00056: 161: B14261)
      • 1944
      • Alterations and earthquake repairs (00056: 289: B23142)
      • 1951
      • Alterations to building (00056: 404: B31089), Addition – two cool stores (00056: 420: B32187)
      • 1954
      • Addition – lift (00056: 491: B36847), Addition – cool room (00056: 495: B37146)
      • 1954
      • Addition – refrigerator room (00056: 458: B34762)
      • 1958
      • Roof alterations (00058: 74: C3641)
      • 1962
      • Alteration – loading dock (00058: 226: C10219), Office alterations (00058: 248: C11029), Alterations – lift shaft (00058: 256: C11372)
      • 1963
      • Office alterations (00058: 277: C12266)
      • 1964
      • Additions – tea and locker rooms (00058: 324: C13994), Alterations to ground floor (00058: 367: C15722)
      • 1965
      • Alterations (00058: 412: C17617)
      • 1972
      • Additions – mezzanine floor (00058: 817: C36614)
      • 1974
      • Office alterations, alterations to ground floor (00058: 932: C41078), Addition – fire doors (00058: 934: C41132)
      • 1986
      • Additions and alterations – factory units, level 2 (00059: 0: D2707)
      • 1990
      • Fire protection upgrade (00059: 424: E21347)
      • 1994
      • Refurbishment, level 2 (00060: 181: 6545)
      • 1995
      • Seismic strengthening, stage 1 (00061: 84: 12630)
      • 1996
      • Seismic strengthening, stage 2 (00078: 180: 22250)
      • 1997
      • Alterations – restaurant fit out (00078: 114: 35401), Additions and alterations (00078: 165: 35963), Additions – fit out ground floor (00078: 60: 28598)
      • 1999
      • Alterations – restaurant and bar facilities (00078: 302: 58345), Alterations – first floor (00078: 330: 56153), Alterations – level 1 (00078: 330: 5739), Office fit out (00078: 348: 55778), Office subdivision, level 2 (00078: 398: 50527), Installation of sign for ‘Big Thumb’ restaurant (00078: 478: 60690)
      • 2000
      • Internal alterations, levels 1 and 2, stage 1 (00078: 440: 61476), Additions – balcony and balustrade (00078: 520: 63217), Office alterations, levels 1 and 2, stage 2 (00078: 685: 70724)
      • 2002
      • Office Alterations (00078: 1152: 94427), Removal of office wall and door (00078: 939: 92859)
      • 2003
      • Internal office alterations (00078: 1161: 104146)
      • 2004
      • Additions and alterations (00078: 1360: 114072)
    • Occupation History close

      Not assessed

  • close Architectural Information
    • Building Classification(s) close

      Not assessed

    • Architecture close
      This building was constructed as an addition to the Fruit and Produce Exchange building and is a plain, functional, industrial warehouse building that fits in well with the Allen and Blair Street precinct. It is one of the plainest buildings on Allen Street and its structure it is typical of the earlier warehouses built in the precinct, although with steel rather than cast iron columns. The design of the facades to Allen and Blair Street is Stripped Classical with some vestigial Classical details; in particular the simple pilasters between the columns that once visually supported the entablature that has been removed. The facades have a plain and regular grid of wide openings with steel frames, vertical pilasters between the five bays, and plain horizontal bands at floor and parapet levels.
    • Materials close

      Brick structure, cement render and detailing, steel joinery.

    • Setting close
      This building is found in the Courtenay Place heritage area on Allen Street. It is a precinct of warehouses that are consistent in building type and age. There is a diversity of styles but they relate well to one another in opening form, scale, decoration, and underlying classicism. This consistency, diversity, and homogeneity of building facades provide interest and character in the precinct. 

      Allen Street is made up of a number of former warehouse buildings associated with the fruit and produce markets. The Blair and Allen Street precinct is remarkable for its homogeneity. They provide the most consistent and uniform streetscape views of any part of the commercial business district of Wellington. They are mostly designed in the functional tradition, and were constructed for utilitarian purposes of produce markets and warehouses.
  • close Cultural Value

    7-17 Allen Street (12-18 Blair Street) is a good representative example of an inter-war Stripped Classical warehouse building. 

    This building is associated with the produce markets in Wellington, which were held there for over 50 years. It is related to the commercial and economic development in the early 20th century.

    This building has an important townscape role as an element of the Blair/Allen Street precinct of 19th and early 20th century masonry warehouses.

    • Aesthetic Value close

      • Architectural

        Does the item have architectural or artistic value for characteristics that may include its design, style, era, form, scale, materials, colour, texture, patina of age, quality of space, craftsmanship, smells, and sounds?

        7-17 Allen Street (12-18 Blair Street) is a good representative example of an inter-war Stripped Classical warehouse building.

      • Townscape

        Does the item have townscape value for the part it plays in defining a space or street; providing visual interest; its role as a landmark; or the contribution it makes to the character and sense of place of Wellington?

        This building has an important townscape role as an element of the Blair/Allen Street precinct of 19th and early 20th century masonry warehouses.

      • Group

        Is the item part of a group of buildings, structures, or sites that taken together have coherence because of their age, history, style, scale, materials, or use?

        The building contributes to the Courtenay Place Heritage Area, which is made up of a group of late 19th – early 20th century commercial buildings, and features the distinctive Blair and Allen Street warehouse precinct.

    • Historic Value close

      • Association

        Is the item associated with an important historic event, theme, pattern, phase, or activity?

        These buildings are associated with the historic redevelopment of the former slum area surrounding Allen and Grainger streets following them being placed under control of the Harbour Board. It is also associated with the produce markets and with merchants and manufacturers, a major element of Wellington’s economic and commercial development at the turn of the century.

      • Asssociation

        Is the item associated with an important person, group, or organisation?

        This building is associated with the produce markets in Wellington, which were held there for over 50 years. It is related to the commercial and economic development in the early 20th century. It is also associated with the prominent architectural firm of Turnbull and Sons.

    • Scientific Value close

      • Archaeological

        Does the item have archaeological value for its ability to provide scientific information about past human activity?

        This building is included in the NZAA R27/270 archaeological area.

    • Social Value close

      • Identity - Sense of Place - Continuity

        Is the item a focus of community, regional, or national identity? Does the item contribute to sense of place or continuity?

        The building is part of a collection of historic buildings which contribute to the sense of place in the Courtenay Place Heritage Area. More specifically, the collection of buildings that form the Blair and Allen Street precinct is a coherent streetscape well understood and appreciated by the local community.

    • Level of Cultural Heritage Significance close

      • Representative

        Is the item a good example of the class it represents?

        This building is a representative of the Stripped Classical style used on an industrial warehouse building.  It is representative of the type and style of buildings of the period and contributes significantly to a rare example of a warehouse precinct in Wellington City.

      • Authentic

        Does the item have authenticity or integrity because it retains significant fabric from the time of its construction or from later periods when important additions or modifications were carried out?

        This building retains a significant amount of original exterior fabric and retains authenticity of design and material, together with a high level of authenticity of setting.

      • Local

        Is the item important for any of the above characteristics at a local, regional, national, or international level?

        The building is of local importance as its architecture and history contributes to the overall historic and stylistic value of the Allen and Blair Street Precinct.

    • Local / Regional / National / International Importance close

      Not assessed

  • close Site Detail

    • District Plan Number

      16/10.3 (& 26.5 for 10-18 Blair Street)

    • Legal Description

      Lot 10, 11, 12, 13 DP 1302

    • Heritage New Zealand Listed

      Not listed

    • Archaeological Site

      NZAA Central City R27/270

    • Current Uses

      unknown

    • Former Uses

      unknown

    • Has building been funded

      No

    • Funding Amount

      Not applicable

    • Earthquake Prone Status

      Not Earthquake Prone

  • close Additional Information

Last updated: 8/7/2017 1:04:01 AM