Robyn Hyde House (Former)

Robin Hyde House

92 Northland Road, Northland, Wellington
❰ ❱

Image: WCC 2020. 

Cityview GIS 2013
Cityview GIS 2013
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  • Constructed

    1905

  • Architect(s)

    Unknown

  • Builder(s)

    E. Platt

  • The house is a good example of a two storey timber villa built at the turn of the century.

    This house is historically associated with the Platt family. The family business was responsible for decades of very fine interior and exterior plaster work on Wellington’s finest buildings in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They also went on to become Northland’s most influential speculative builders. It is also associated with journalist, poet, and novelist Robin Hyde, and is colloquially called the ‘Robin Hyde house’.

    This house has some technical value for the evidence that it provides on the materials that were in use and the construction methods at the time, in particular as it was constructed by tradesmen of some repute. 

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  • close History

    • There is little known about the history of this house. Pre 1900 Northland as a suburb was made up of a number of large estates that were subdivided prior to the turn of the century. This house was built for owner E.S. Smith in 1905 and was designed by E. Platt (Edmund Platt). Edmund Platt arrived in Wellington from England in 1876. The family eventually settled in Northland and each male member went on to build houses in the suburb. Edmund Platt established a successful plastering firm and his sons all became tradesmen. The family turned to building speculation around 1905, when the production of large fibrous plaster sheets and mass production of ornamentation began to affect the viability of smaller firms such as the Platt’s. The Platt’s concentrated their efforts on the new subdivisions in Northland.

      The house has had a number of owners and occupants, the most famous was journalist, poet, and novelist Robin Hyde. Born Iris Wilkinson, she moved to Wellington with her parents, who then rented a number of houses in Newtown, Melrose, and Berhampore. At the time of her death in 1939, her parents were still listed as the occupants of the house.

      The house has been through a series of alterations, the first of which occurred in 1949 when the house was converted into two flats. Further alterations were made to the flats in 1957 and a double garage was added in 1965. More recently, additions and alterations were carried out to the house in 1991, in 1994 when an addition was constructed to the balcony, and in 2000 when a storey was added to the dwelling and additions were made on the first floor.

      The house is sited on a slope on Northland Road and has prominent views over Northland. The front elevation is two storeys high, and it has a bay villa form (although somewhat altered). The street façade features three gable ends, with the original bay featuring double hung windows. The gable ends have been ornamented with finials. The cladding is rusticated weatherboard and the roof is clad in corrugated steel.

    • Modifications close
      • unknown
      • (original plans not scanned)
      • 1905
      • Orangi Kaupapa Road [92 Northland Road], dwelling (00047:3:173)
      • 1949
      • 92 Northland Road, conversion of dwelling to two flats (00056:366:B28181)
      • 1957
      • 92 Northland Road, flat alterations (00058:16:C799)
      • 1965
      • 92 Northland Road, double garage (00058:433:C18564)
      • 1991
      • 92 Northland Road, dwelling additions and alterations (00059:446:E22026)
      • 1994
      • 92 Northland Road, balcony addition (00060:176:6389)
      • 2000
      • 92 Northland Road, addition of storey to dwelling, alterations to first floor (00078:782:67414)
    • Occupation History close
      • unknown
      • Not assessed
  • close Architectural Information
    • Building Classification(s) close

      Not assessed

    • Architecture close

      The house is a good example of a two storey villa built at the turn of the century. It has a bay villa form with a high gable to the left over a bay window. The house is sited on a slope on Northland Road and has prominent views over Northland. The front elevation is two storeys high, and it has a bay villa form (although somewhat altered). The street façade features three gable ends, with the original bay featuring double hung windows. The gable ends have been ornamented with finials. The cladding is rusticated weatherboard and the roof is clad in corrugated steel.

    • Materials close

      Rusticated weatherboard

      Corrugate iron roofing

    • Setting close

      The house is sited on a slope on Northland Road and has prominent views over Northland. It is a part of a group of houses of a similar style and age also built by the Platt family (mostly situated on Farm Road). These houses provide architectural interest, a sense of history, and definition to the suburb.

  • close Cultural Value

    The house is a good example of a two storey timber villa built at the turn of the century.

    This house is historically associated with the Platt family. The family business was responsible for decades of very fine interior and exterior plaster work on Wellington’s finest buildings in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They also went on to become Northland’s most influential speculative builders. It is also associated with journalist, poet, and novelist Robin Hyde, and is colloquially called the ‘Robin Hyde house’.

    This house has some technical value for the evidence that it provides on the materials that were in use and the construction methods at the time, in particular as it was constructed by tradesmen of some repute.

    • 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 house is a good example of a two storey timber villa built at the turn of the century.

      • 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?

        This house is a part of a group of houses of a similar style and age also built by the Platt family in Northland.

      • 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?

        The house is of townscape value as it is a prominent feature in Northland.

    • Historic Value close

      • Association

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

        This house is historically associated with the Platt family. The family business was responsible for decades of very fine interior and exterior plaster work on Wellington’s finest buildings in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They also went on to become Northland’s most influential speculative builders. It is also associated with journalist, poet, and novelist Robin Hyde, and is colloquially called the ‘Robin Hyde house’.

    • Scientific Value close

      • Archaeological

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

        Risk unknown – Pre 1900 activity associated with area.

      • Technological

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

        This house has some technical value for the evidence that it provides on the materials that were in use and the construction methods at the time, in particular as it was constructed by tradesmen of some repute.

    • 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?

        This house contributes to the sense of place and continuity in Northland due to the retention of its original features and its long standing place on the street.

    • 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?

        This house retains a significant amount of authenticity although it has had some large additions and a number of internal alterations made to it since the time of its construction. It retains authenticity of craftsmanship, materials, and setting.

      • Local Regional National International

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

        This house is of local significance due to its association with the Platt family, who were notable Wellington tradesmen around the turn of the century and its association with journalist, poet, and novelist Robin Hyde, as a representative of a bay villa, and for the contribution that it makes to the streetscape in Northland.

      • Representative

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

        This house is a good representative of a timber bay villa from the turn of the century. It is constructed in materials, and using techniques, that were common to the period.

    • Local / Regional / National / International Importance close

      Not assessed

  • close Site Detail

    • District Plan Number

      11/ 229

    • Legal Description

      Lot 139 DP 1087

    • Heritage New Zealand Listed

      2/ 3608

    • Archaeological Site

      Risk Unknown

    • 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: 1/28/2020 12:00:45 AM