Crofton

• 1857 - 1858
• Building construction
• 1980
• Kenya Street, repile in concrete (00058:1253:C53254)
• 1980
• Kenya Street, convert 4 flats to dwelling (00058:1272:C53935)
• 1981
• Kenya Street, demolition (00058:0:C57624)
• 1981
• Kenya Street, concrete block retaining wall (00058:0:C57625)
• 1983
• Kenya Street, garage (00058:0:C63530)
• 2012
• 21 Kenya Street, Quick Consent – wood burner (00078:4201:262328)

• unknown
• Not assessed

Not assessed

Crofton is a two storeyed dwelling, capped by a steep gable over a projecting bay on the front façade, with the rest of the front at right angles, also capped by a gable roof (a ‘L’ plan). The house is designed in a Carpenter Gothic style and is a good example of this popular style. One dormer window projects over the first floor of the north elevation and one on the west elevation.

Timber weatherboards

Iron roof

Painted timber joinery

Brick chimney

Crofton is located in the northern Wellington suburb of Ngaio, and is built on a slight rise above Kenya Street. It is one of the few houses that face north on the street – nearly all the others face onto the street. The house is approached by a winding driveway, and is surrounded by a cottage garden, and there is a tennis court at the back. At the start of the path to the front door is a small gabled entranceway.

• 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?

  Crofton is of architectural value as an example of an early colonial house, constructed in materials (timber) and in a style (Carpenter Gothic) appropriate to its time and location. It is among the oldest surviving buildings in Wellington.

• 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?

  Crofton is located on a section that is large by city standards, is approached by a winding driveway that passes through a lawn and cottage garden, and is sited at the top of a rise.

• Association

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

  Crofton was first owned by and built for Sir William Fox, a person of national significance. It is also associated with the first Anglican Bishop of Wellington, Bishop Charles Abraham. It is also associated with a number of people of local significance including Wilson Littlejohn, and John Holmes. Crofton’s association with these people give it a special historical significance.

• Archaeological

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

  This house was constructed pre 1900, and is one of the oldest surviving buildings in Wellington. Few homes of this age remain, and there is likely to be archaeological value in the construction of the building and the surrounds.

• Technological

  Does the item have technological value for its innovative or important construction methods or use of materials?

  There is technical value in the two storey building, and the ‘balloon frame’ construction, which uses larger than average studs tenoned together and pegged. This mid nineteenth century pegged mortise and tenon joints are now quite rare.

• Sentiment Connection

  Is the item a focus of community sentiment and connection?

  Crofton is a focus of community sentiment and connection through its long history in Ngaio. It was used as a boarding school, housed Anglican and Presbyterian services, was used as a boarding house/flats, and is again used as a family home.

• 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 some authenticity. It has had a number of changes made and has lost significant amounts of original materials. The retention of features such as the grand staircase and French Doors add to its authenticity.

• Local Regional National International

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

  Crofton is a locally significant building with some nationally important associations. It represents a significant link with Wellington’s colonial history, and has national historical value due to its association with Sir William Fox and first Anglican Bishop of Wellington, Bishop Charles Abraham. It has special architectural value as one of the oldest surviving colonial country homes in Wellington and is one of few in the Carpenter Gothic style.

• Rare

  Is the item rare, unique, unusual, seminal, influential, or outstanding?

  Some elements of the construction of this house are rare, and it is one of the oldest dwellings surviving in Wellington.

• Representative

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

  This house is representative of an early colonial country home, constructed using materials and in a style appropriate to its time. It has had a representative history and has been turned to a number of uses, showing the adaptability of large timber buildings.

Not assessed

• Vivienne Morrell, ‘Crofton (Fox House) – 21 Kenya Street’, (Historic Places Trust unpublished registration report, 16 April 2013), accessed 16 September 2013
• 1980 21-23 Kenya Street, repile in concrete (00058:1253:C53254)
• 1980 21-23 Kenya Street, convert 4 flats to dwelling (00058:1272:C53935)
• 1981 21-23 Kenya Street, demolition (00058:0:C57624)
• 1981 21-23 Kenya Street, concrete block retaining wall (00058:0:C57625)
• 1983 21-23 Kenya Street, garage (00058:0:C63530)
• 2012 21 Kenya Street, Quick Consent – wood burner (00078:4201:262328)

Not available

Not available