Commercial Building

• 1902 - 1902
• Construction
• 1916 - 1916
• Conversion of Newtown Hotel to a picture theatre and shops
• 1939 - 1939
• Sign erected
• 1944 - 1944
• Extension of the conveniences
• 1959 - 1959
• New verandah and repairs to existing verandahs
• 1964 - 1964
• Awning installed
• 1988 - 1988
• Additions and alterations made to the shops and flats.
• 2012 - 2012
• Internal alterations in Unit 9 to bathroom and kitchen, new bathroom, remove walls in kitchen/dining area
• unknown
• The full list of modifications and the corresponding Wellington City Archives’ reference numbers are listed under section “Background Research”.

Not assessed

Not assessed

Sited on a particularly prominent street corner, the former Ascot Theatre is a grand late-Victorian building in most aspects – intent, scale and streetscape presence. Of masonry construction, the building is a tall two and three-storey structure, its height amplified by a tall solid parapet. It has two main facades – one to Constable Street and one to Riddiford Street, composed in a formal late Victorian neo-Classical style. The building has undergone several important changes over time; the prevailing impression of the building today is one of its time as a picture theatre. The building has a strong corner entrance and stayed horizontal verandahs on both sides.  The corner entrance appears to have been modified, and the Classical ornamentation removed on the chamfered end and flanking bays at second floor and parapet levels – perhaps to give the building an Art Deco aesthetic as this was a style that was associated with cinemas in the early to mid 20th century. 

The most distinctive architectural features are the long rows of arched windows and the bold cornice and pediment. The windows are double-hung and set in elaborately moulded surrounds, separated into bays with elaborate high pilasters, and with a horizontal string course tying the springing points of the window arches together; above the mock keystones is a further string course. The pilasters rise further above this and engage with the cornice by complex moulded brackets; two bays back from the corner on each side, there is a segmental-arched pediment across one bay of the façade. Above the cornice, the solid parapet is divided into bays by extensions of the pilasters; some acroteria remain. The major differences in the façades are in the two southernmost bays, which have paired windows, and in the three easternmost bays that have pairs of plain rectangular windows and clearly show three storeys on this side of the building.

Aerial photos reveal a complex roof-scape, with the theatre space occupying the eastern side of the lot, and the western side divided into three by party walls. The picture theatre roof can just be glimpsed over the parapets.  

Masonry construction
Double hung sash windows
Render finish 

• 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 building is composed in a formal late Victorian neo-Classical style and has undergone several important changes over time.  The prevailing impression of the building today is one of its time as a picture theatre.

• 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 building has townscape value for its prominent location at the corner of Riddiford and Constable streets. 

• 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 has group value for its contribution to the Newtown Shopping Centre Heritage Area. The precinct is a largely uninterrupted streetscape of Victorian and Edwardian buildings.  Most of the buildings are two storey, timber built (unlike this one), and date from the period of the suburb’s early development.

• Association

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

  The building has a very strong association with cinema in Wellington.  It was a successful suburban theatre during the heyday of the cinema, but by the 1960s, local theatres were in decline as television penetrated New Zealand homes, and most closed by the end of the decade.

• Archaeological

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

  There was pre-1900 human activity on this site.  Although some of the sites have been altered by rebuilding or landscaping or subdivisional change, there is archaeological value in the immediate surrounds.

• 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 prominent building contributes to the sense of place and continuity in the Newtown Shopping Centre Heritage Area.  

• Sentiment - Connection

  Is the item a focus of community sentiment and connection?

  The building is likely to be a focus of community sentinment and connection for the many locals who visited the building during its time as a cinema, although this association will have diminished somewhat in recent years. 

• Rare

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

  The building contributes to a consistent historic streetscape.  Such a streetscape is rare in Wellington, especially so close to the city centre.

Not assessed

• Wellington City Council, Newtown Central Shopping Centre Heritage Area, Riddiford Street, Constable Street, Rintoul Street, Wellington City Council: unpublished report, October 2008.

• Inventory Report
• 1914 drawings

Not available