Army Headquarters (Former)

• 1911 - 1912
• N.B. As this is a Government building – previous permits may not be accessible.
• 1946 - 1946
• Masonry above first floor window heads demolished, Chimneys replaced with lighter flues, External plaster removed
• 2007 - 2007
• Alterations ground floor (00078:2717:169605)

• 1911
• Defence Stores
• 1931
• Defence Headquarters
• 1940
• Central Military District Headquarters
• 1942
• Army offices
• 1947
• Health Department Education Board
• 1980
• National Museum conservation laboratory

Not assessed

The Former Defence Stores building stands on the corner of Taranaki and Buckle Streets, a plain and solid structure that reflects its army origins. Red bricks, laid in English bond (alternate courses of headers and stretchers), form the main structural material of the building, while plastered bands may indicate that there are concrete tie beams within the walls. The plan is L-shaped, the height is two storeys, and the main entrance is centred on the Buckle Street elevation. Decoration is subtle; it consists of panels of very shallow relief plaster work, with stylised keystones emphasizing the window heads.

Windows are all timber and double-hung, while over the door, an emblematic GRV 1911 is the only flourish in an otherwise very simple design. (It should be noted that the stripped appearance of the building may be partly a result of the removal or loss of decorative work at roof level.) The roof is sheathed in corrugated iron (now rusty) and its form may indicate two stages of construction. The wing on Taranaki Street has a gabled roof, and it makes an awkward junction with the wing on Buckle Street which has a hipped roof. In addition, there is a change to plinth and window sill lines that indicate a staged construction, although architectural details between the two parts still match.

The building has some townscape value, anchoring the historically important block of land known as Mt Cook in a similar way to that of the former Mt Cook Police Barracks at the other end of Buckle Street.

Red bricks

Concrete tie beams

Timber joinery

The General Army Headquarters building is located at the corner of Buckle and Taranaki Streets and over looks the intersection formed by the meeting of these two streets with Karo Drive and Webb Street. With the exception of a low lying red brick structure to the east, the building is unencumbered by other buildings, and its relative isolation is amplified by the adjacent wide streets and vacant land on the opposite side of Buckle Street (soon to be turned into the National War Memorial Park). The Defence compound contains two other buildings, HMNZS Olphert and the recently-constructed security building. At the eastern end of the Buckle Street block is the former Mt Cook Police Station; both buildings act as red-brick bookends. The principal landmark in the vicinity is the National War Memorial, which despite the presence of large pohutukawa is visible from most vantage points.

• 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 has architectural value as a now rare example in Wellington of the Edwardian Baroque style which was used by architect John Campbell for many government buildings.

• 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 is part of a group of military related structures on the corner of Buckle and Taranaki Streets. This is the only surviving portion of Mt Cook land still in defence hands. Together with the single storey building to the east and the former Mt Cook Police Station (on the corner of Tory Street) these are also the only red brick buildings in a precinct that was once dominated by such buildings. The building shares an historical connection with other sites on Mt Cook, including the former Dominion Museum and the vacant land opposite, once the site of the Army drill hall.

• 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 pattern and colour of brickwork and plaster give the building some aesthetic value and a presence on an extremely busy street intersection.

• Association

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

  The building is associated with various phases of historical activity. Its construction was the result of defence reforms prompted by the Defence Acts of 1909 and 1910. During the 1913 Strike the building was a backdrop to the ‘Buckle Street Riots.’ The building was also the Army headquarters during the build up to the Second World War.
  

• Association

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

  The building has historic value as it was the temporary home of the General Officer Commanding for the Army from1931-1938. During this time both Major General Sir William Sinclair-Burgess and Major General Sir John Duigan, two distinguished commanding officers, served in the building.
  

• Archaeological

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

  Since Mount Cook was the site of Pukeahu pa the area will contain pre-1900 human activity. The building is also located in the Central City archaeological site reference NZAA R27/270.

• Educational

  Does the item have educational value for what it can demonstrate about aspects of the past?

  The building can reveal information about the materials, details and trade practices that were in use at the start of the twentieth century.

• 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 should be considered in a wider context with other military structures on Mt Cook such as the Carillion which act as a reminder of Mt Cook’s former military past. In this way it contributes to the overall sense of place.

• Symbolic, Commemorative, Traditional, Spiritual

  Does the item have symbolic, commemorative, traditional, spiritual or other cultural value for the community who has used and continues to use it?

  The building should be considered in a wider context with past military uses of Mt Cook and with landmarks such as the National War Memorial Carillion, which is a link to Mt Cook’s former military past as well as hugely important national symbol.

• 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 facades on the building have retained a significant amount of original fabric, therefore they have authenticity.

• Rare

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

  The building is the oldest general administrative military building left in Wellington.

• Importance

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

  As a former military headquarters, the building is important on both a local and national level.

Not assessed

• Boyd, N.H. File 205/8 Vol.1. 26 January 1973.
• Murray, Russell. Personal communication with Jack Fry, former National Museum conservator July 07 1999.
• Nelson, W. Assessment of Registration Proposal for GOC Building for NZHPT Board. 1995.
• Kelly, Michael and Chris Cochran. ‘Former General Headquarters Building, Corner Taranaki and Buckle Streets, Wellington: an assessment of heritage values.’ 2003.
• Murray, Russell. ‘Former Army General Officer Building, corner of Buckle and Taranaki Street.’ Unpublished report for Wellington City Council. 2005.
• New Zealand Historic Places Trust Professional Biographies. ‘John Campbell.’ Accessed 7 August 2012.
• Wellington City Council. “Former GOC Building.” Wellington Heritage Building Inventory 2001: Non-Residential Buildings. Wellington City Council, 2001. BUCK5.
• Press. Volume XLIX, Issue 14815. 5 November 1913. Page 10.
• Wellington City Council Records: Hadley and Robinsons Limited. GOC Building Corner of Taranaki and Buckle Streets: Review of proposals to improve performance in earthquake. 2003. File: 1041:04:23

• Inventory Report

Not available