Chevening

• 1928
• Construction of tenement building (00056:65:B6216)
• 1984
• Reinforced concrete shear walls (00058:0:C65033)
• 2012
• SR 221681 , aBLDG CONSENT, 3.2 Multi-residential - Seismic strengthening of building with amendment, Completed

• 1926
• Emma Margaret Rainforth
• 1926
• Various tenants

Not assessed

Chevening Flats is a four storey building designed in the Stripped Classical style with references to Art Deco. Its front façade is dominated by two large, symmetrical bay windows which flank the central portion of the building. The southern bay window is more prominent than the northern one. The central portion is designed in the style of a vestigial classical portico, with two slender pilasters rising up through the upper three floors. There is decorative brickwork between and to each side of these pilasters. The building is capped by a simplified cornice and partly balustered parapet. Each of the four floors contains one flat, with two garages at ground floor level. In 2011 the building was refurbished to a 1920s style and many of the original internal features remain in-situ.

Concrete

Brick

Chevening Flats is located on Salamanca Road across from Kelburn Park, at the point where the road meets with Kelburn Parade. When the building was first built there were no immediate surrounding houses other than a garage on its northern side. Today this garage has a one storey dwelling atop it, while to the south stands a two storey house. Because of its height Chevening Flats towers above these two properties. Further buildings have been built up around the apartment, yet those on the hill behind it are set further back and therefore do not overshadow the building.

• 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?

  Chevening is a good representative example of a 1920s block of self-contained luxury apartments, designed by well-known local architect Llewellyn Williams. The building is notable for its scale, for its Stripped Classical-style, and for its elegant proportions that are accented by the use of contrasting panels of brickwork and painted render/concrete on its main façade.

• 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?

  Chevening’s size, distinct 1920s style, and location near the corner of Kelburn Parade and Salamanca Terrace make it a prominent presence in the suburb of Kelburn.

• Association

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

  The building is associated with its first owner, Miss Emma Rainforth, who was a prominent figure in girls’ education and women’s activities in Wellington.

• Association

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

  It is associated with the building boom of the 1920s that saw Wellington transformed into a modern city of tall office and apartment buildings.

• Archaeological

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

  The archaeological risk is unknown.

• 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 has had few intrusive modern alterations and additions and contributes to the sense of place and continuity for the suburb of Kelburn.

• 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 building has retained a significant amount of original fabric, therefore it has authenticity.

• Local Regional National International

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

  The building is representative of a period in Wellington’s history when new, modern apartment buildings were starting to make their appearance on the cityscape. For this reason it is important on a local level.

   

  
  

• Representative

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

  The building is a good representative example of a 1920s luxury apartment block.

Not assessed

• New Zealand Historic Places Trust. ‘Chevening Flats.’ Accessed 11 September 2012.
• New Zealand Historic Places Trust Professional Biographies. ‘Llewellyn Williams.’ Accessed 11 September 2012.
• Evening Post. Volume CXIV, Issue 70. 20 September 1932. Page 3.
• ‘90 Salamanca Road, tenement building.’ 01 November 1928. 00056:65:B6216.

Not available

Not available