Former Herd Street Post & Telegraph Building

• 1938 - 1939
• Building constructed (00044:14:187)
• 1942 - 1942
• Sixth floor added, various internal changes
• 1999 - 1999
• Removal of concrete panels for new roller doors (00078:290:58006)
• c.2005 - 2007
• Building strengthened, two floors added, and redeveloped to house apartments, retail, and offices.

• 1939 - 1987
• Post & Telegraph Department (later re-named New Zealand Post Office)
• 1987 - c.1999
• Telecom

Not assessed

The original building was a sleek Anscombe design executed in a high Moderne aesthetic. A distinctive L-shaped structure of five floors; this form was a direct result of the application of advanced ideas for contemporary office design of the day and gave a shallow plan ideally suited for good ventilation and daylighting as well as a direct means of separating activities within the plan. It was given a predominant and appropriately Moderne horizontal emphasis with a long low proportion and windows set in horizontal bands, further marked with horizontal lines scribed in the plaster render. Despite being compatibly detailed with the building, the later sixth floor still reads as an added structure. Less architectural emphasis was given to the seaward side of the building than the landward, perhaps commensurate with its siting next to the working harbour.

A distinctive Anscombe touch is the monumental entry. This is a dramatic vertical architectural element is set in contrast to the predominant horizontal lines of the building and arranged at 45° in plan. The curved head of the tower would have originally projected above the roofline - but its striking architectural effect was substantially reduced by the addition of the sixth floor in 1942.

The entrance also houses the front door and, beyond, the main staircase and lift. The base of the entry is clad in dark grey granite, surrounding the entrance door and extending into the foyer. The base is surmounted by a bronze-clad triangular oriel window, a favourite Anscombe detail, rising a further four floors (although with only three windows, one at each of the stair landings); the oriel, capped with a Deco crest, is set against the background of the striking Deco-ish roll-topped tower element which rises nearly two stories above the top of the oriel. The entire entry element is given further emphasis by the adjoining walls being set back from the line of the main building walls for a few metres; the change in plane is effected with an elegant curved corner to each of the main façades.

The staircase and entry foyer within is recorded as being of high interest with an intriguing mix of terrazzo flooring and dadoes, and chrome trims and handrails. The present condition of this material is unknown as the interior was not inspected (in c.2006).

The building is constructed of reinforced concrete arranged in a post and beam structural form.

The building has a distinctive location on the waterfront. Established on the working harbour adjacent to the busy Clyde Quay wharf, it has always been somewhat isolated from other substantial buildings on this relatively remote site; its nearest neighbours for many years were sheds on Clyde Quay and the WCC tram and (later) bus depot, all rather lower in scale, and which permitted its distinctive architectural form to be seen in the round. This prominence in its immediate setting means the building has always had some landmark status in the area.

In its present setting the building can be seen against the developed (and developing) waterfront, including the broad open expanse of Waitangi Park and the newly redeveloped Overseas Passenger Terminal. This setting helps to maintain the historical isolation and prominence of the building and continues its landmark status; this isolation will continue, at least until proposals for development of the surrounding area place substantial new buildings very close to it and radically change the setting.

• 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 Herd Street Post & Telegraph Office has architectural value as one of Wellington’s most significant Inter-War streamlined Art Deco/Art Moderne style office buildings.

• 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 is somewhat isolated with Te Papa as the only other large building in the vicinity. As such, the style, scale, and isolation of the building give it significant townscape value and outstanding landmark presence. Its magnificent setting at the northern boundary of Waitangi Park adds to its aesthetic and architectural significance.

• Association

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

  The building has historic significance for its association with the Post Office and the development of that organisation, and as a work of the well-known architect Edmund Anscombe.

• Archaeological

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

  The building is located on reclaimed land – post 1900.

• 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?

  Although the building has had some intrusive modern additions and alterations over the past 70+ years, it contributes to the sense of place and continuity of the Wellington Waterfront and Waitangi Park.

• Public Esteem

  Is the item held in high public esteem?

  This building is held in high public esteem, which is evidenced by the contentious debate surrounding its possible demolition in the 1990s.

• 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?

  Since the redevelopment of the building and conversion to apartments, little original fabric remains beyond the corner entrance and the two main landward-facing façades.

• Rare

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

  The Herd Street Post & Telegraph Office has architectural value as one of Wellington’s most significant Inter-War Streamlined Art Deco/Art Moderne style office buildings designed by one of the most prominent architects of the period.

• Importance

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

  The building is of local and regional significance for its history of use by the NZ Post Office, and for its aesthetic and townscape values.

Not assessed

• Historic Places Trust, Post and Telegraph Building (Historic Places Trust, unpublished registration report), October 1, 1997.
• New Zealand Historic Places Trust Professional Biographies, ‘Edmund Anscombe,’ accessed 4 September 2012
• Ian Bowman, Herd Street Post Office: Report on Heritage Values (Unpublished report, prepared for Wellington City Council, no date).

• Inventory Report

Not available