Cambridge Hotel (Former)

Cambridge Establishment

28 Cambridge Terrace, Te Aro, Wellington
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Image: Charles Collins, 2015

Image: WCC - Charles Collins, 2015

Cityview GIS 2013
Cityview GIS 2013
1930, 28 Cambridge Terrace, hotel (WCC Archives reference 00056:97:B9030)
1930, 28 Cambridge Terrace, hotel (WCC Archives reference 00056:97:B9030) 
Map

  • Constructed

    1930 - 1930

  • Architect(s)

    John Sydney Swan

  • Builder(s)

    Unknown

  • The former Cambridge Hotel is a good representative example of a Classical building designed in the inter-war period. It is notable as a rare surviving example the many low-rise, corner-site hotel/public houses that were once a common feature of many New Zealand towns and cities.

    This building has been serving patrons and guests since 1930 and with the demolition of many inner city hotels, is now one of the oldest in the entertainment district. It has historic value as it helps to build a picture of social patterns and cultural values associated with alcohol consumption, which is typical and representative of many New Zealand towns and cities.

    The Cambridge Establishment has been part of the streetscape of Cambridge Terrace and operating for just over 80 years. It contributes to the sense of place and continuity for Cambridge Terrace and relates well to a number of buildings in the nearby Courtenay Place Heritage Area.

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  • close History

    • The site of the former Cambridge Hotel, now known as the Cambridge Establishment, is a part of a two acre block which changed ownership many times between 1873 and 1881. The first timber Cambridge Hotel was constructed on the site at some date during these years and it was noted at the time of its construction that the hotel was situated in a very pleasant part of the city, and that from the balconies an excellent view of the harbour and city could be obtained. On the ground floor were the public and private bars, three private sitting rooms, dining room, billiard room, kitchen and a scullery. Upstairs there are nine bedrooms and two sitting rooms, and lavatories with hot and cold water.

      The present hotel was designed in 1929 and completed in 1930. It was built for J. Staples and Co. Ltd., founders of the Staples Brewery in Thorndon.

      The hotel was originally leased out but in 1937 it was purchased by New Zealand Breweries and managed by the company until its sale to private interests in 1996. The changing fortunes of the hotel build up a picture of social patterns and cultural values associated with bars and restaurants within the Wellington city community.

      The hotel originally had seven retail shops incorporated into the Cambridge Terrace frontage; however, little evidence is left demonstrating this. The shops were an indication of the retail vigour that Cambridge Terrace once enjoyed; they were demolished in 1967 for conversion to a Club Bar, around the same time as the demise of six o’clock closing.

      The Hotel underwent a number of modifications, changing as drinking fashions and cultures changed. The large bar serveries and small customer areas, typical of the six o’clock closing era, were modified in 1972 and 1974 to meet expectations. Women’s toilets were also installed during this time – a feature absent from the original bar designs. Changes were also made to the accommodation above, notably the inclusion of ensuite bathrooms in some rooms.

      The Cambridge Establishment has been serving patrons and guests since 1930, and with the demolition of a number of Wellington’s historic hotels, is now one of the oldest in the central city and entertainment district. It remains a good example of an inner-city hotel of the inter-war period, and is still in reasonably authentic condition in its exterior form and detail. It is a good representative example of the work of an important Wellington architect, John Swan, and retains its use and amenity value and cultural value as a hotel.

    • Modifications close
      • 1930
      • 28 Cambridge Terrace, hotel (00056:97:B9030)
      • 1944
      • 28 Cambridge Terrace, sign (00056:292:B23253)
      • 1961
      • 28 Cambridge Terrace, coffee bar (00058:179:C8255)
      • 1963
      • 28 Cambridge Terrace, wall panelling (00058:275:C12195)
      • 1963
      • 28 Cambridge Terrace, building alterations (00058:279:C12327)
      • 1963
      • 28 Cambridge Terrace, lift enclosure (00058:290:C12735)
      • 1963
      • 28 Cambridge Terrace, building alterations (00058:293:C12868)
      • 1964
      • 28 Cambridge Terrace, building alterations (00058:351:C15099)
      • 1968
      • 28-31 Cambridge Terrace, building alterations - 1st floor (00058:586:C27738)
      • 1969
      • 28 Cambridge Terrace, hotel alterations (00058:617:C28839)
      • 1971
      • 28 Cambridge Terrace, building additions - fire door & wall (00058:740:C33509)
      • 1972
      • 28 Cambridge Terrace, hotel private bar alterations (00058:789:C35500)
      • 1979
      • 28 Cambridge Terrace, partitions for toilets (Cambridge Hotel) (00058:1228:C52501)
      • 1981
      • 28-30 Cambridge Terrace, toilet & change rooms (00058:1314:C55416)
      • 1991
      • 28 Cambridge Terrace, sign (00059:479:E23112)
      • 1992
      • 28 Cambridge Terrace, business additions and alterations - restaurant (00059:562:E25778)
      • 1996
      • 28 Cambridge Terrace, Cambridge Hotel - revamp of shower block - conversion to two ensuite (00078:508:25559)
      • 1998
      • 28 Cambridge Terrace, Cambridge Hotel - conversion of double room to three compartments (00078:513:46535)
      • 1999
      • 28 Cambridge Terrace, plumbing re-routing and minor internal alterations (00078:515:53545)
      • 2000
      • 28 Cambridge Terrace, new 150mm storm water lateral from WCC culvert to boundary of lot (00078:444:67548)
      • 2000
      • 28 Cambridge Terrace, alterations, stage 2 (00078:630:60649)
      • 2000
      • 28 Cambridge Terrace, alterations, stage 3 (00078:1143:67646)
      • 2000
      • 28 Cambridge Terrace, alterations, stage 4 (00078:1143:69755)
      • 2000
      • 28 Cambridge Terrace, refurbishments and additions, ground floor, stage 3, amendment (00078:1211:70465)
      • 2000
      • 28 Cambridge Terrace, earthquake strengthening & alterations (00078:1712:64850)
    • Occupation History close
      • unknown
      • Not assessed
  • close Architectural Information
    • Building Classification(s) close

      Not assessed

    • Architecture close

      The Cambridge Hotel has been designed in the inter-war Classical Style. Despite a number of later modifications to the ground floor frontages, Classical motifs and elements dominate. The design was conservative and traditional: the architect adopted the tried-and-true rather than the innovative. Compare this building with its exact contemporary further up the terrace – the former Cambridge Terrace Post Office, in which the architect showed openness to new innovations such as Art Deco.

      This building is basically symmetrical about its dominant corner on Cambridge Terrace and Alpha Street, and is punctuated by two shallow projecting balconies on the first and second floors. The corner, capped by a triangular pediment, is built up of rendered Doric Pilasters which form shallow, stylised aedicules, to the corner windows. These windows are square headed, with large stylised keystones and wide architraves in plaster. A similar effect of pilasters and pediments is built up over the middle and the ends of the building. The main windows on both street facades are flat headed and emphasised by large, flat, stylised keystones.

    • Materials close

      Reinforced concrete

      Timber

    • Setting close

      This building is situated on a prominent corner on Cambridge Terrace and Alpha Street, directly opposite the Queen Victoria Monument. It is flanked on the right by Alpha Street and on the left by a brightly coloured one storey modern building. It provides a degree of visual interest to Cambridge Terrace and makes a positive contribution to a busy city thoroughfare.

  • close Cultural Value

    The former Cambridge Hotel is a good representative example of a Classical building designed in the inter-war period. It is notable as a rare surviving example the many low-rise, corner-site hotel/public houses that were once a common feature of many New Zealand towns and cities.

    This building has been serving patrons and guests since 1930 and with the demolition of many inner city hotels, is now one of the oldest in the entertainment district. It has historic value as it helps to build a picture of social patterns and cultural values associated with alcohol consumption, which is typical and representative of many New Zealand towns and cities.

    The Cambridge Establishment has been part of the streetscape of Cambridge Terrace and operating for just over 80 years. It contributes to the sense of place and continuity for Cambridge Terrace and relates well to a number of buildings in the nearby Courtenay Place Heritage Area.

    • 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?

        The former Cambridge Hotel is a good representative example of a Classical building designed in the inter-war period. It is notable as a rare surviving example the many low-rise, corner-site hotel/public houses that were once a common feature of many New Zealand towns and cities.

      • 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 townscape value for its contribution to the Cambridge Terrace streetscape, adding visual interest to what has become an increasingly developed area of the city.

    • Historic Value close

      • Association

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

        This building has been serving patrons and guests since 1930, and with the demolition of many inner-city hotels, is now one of the oldest in the entertainment district. It has historic value as it helps to build a picture of social patterns and cultural values associated with alcohol consumption, which is typical and representative of many New Zealand towns and cities.

      • Association

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

        This building is associated with architect John Swan, a prominent Wellington architect.

    • 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 Central City archaeological area R27/270.

    • 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 Cambridge Establishment has been part of the streetscape of Cambridge Terrace for just over 80 years. It contributes to the sense of place and continuity for Cambridge Terrace and relates well to a number of buildings in the nearby Courtenay Place Heritage Area.

    • Level of Cultural Heritage Significance close

      • 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?

        The façade retains authenticity in design, craftsmanship, and materiality.

      • Representative

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

        This building is a good representative of the Inter-war Classical style designed by a prominent Wellington architect. It is a good example of an inner city hotel and is reasonably authentic in its exterior form and detail.

      • Importance

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

        This building is important at a local level for the contribution it makes to the townscape of Cambridge Terrace, its historical associations with what is now the entertainment district of Wellington and its architectural value as a work by a prominent Wellington architect.

    • Local / Regional / National / International Importance close

      Not assessed

  • close Site Detail

    • District Plan Number

      16/ 53

    • Legal Description

      Pt Sec 283 Town of Wellington

    • Heritage New Zealand Listed

      2/ Historic Place 1344

    • 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: 4/20/2017 3:43:53 AM