Commercial building

Rod’s Block, JET Bar, Corner Courtenay Place and Allen Street, 30 Courtenay Place, 32 Courtenay Place, 34 Courtenay Place

30-36 Courtenay Place, Te Aro, Wellington
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(Image: Charles Collins – 2014)

Image: WCC - Charles Collins, 2015

Cityview GIS 2012

Extent: Cityview GIS 2012

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  • Constructed

    1900 - 1900

  • Heritage Area

    Courtenay Place Heritage Area

  • Architect(s)

    Thomas Stoddart Lambert

  • Builder(s)

    Unknown

  • This two-storey building has a mix of classical and art deco ornamentation. Although the building has been altered, it’s kept its facade with deep-set classical sash windows and sculptural art deco pilasters (ornamental supporting column) on the first floor.

    The building contributes to the Courtenay Place heritage area, a unique collection of historic buildings of similar age, style and use. 

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  • close History

    • Formerly a slum area, the district surrounding Allen and Blair Streets was redeveloped from 1898-1904 after the land came under the control of the Harbour Board. With preparations to install the new electric tram network in hand and the Te Aro railway station located nearby, the Harbour Board decided to turn the area into a market. The area’s fortunes soon rose with the construction of warehouses along the lengths of Allen and Blair Streets.

      The building on the corner of Allen Street and Courtenay Place was built in 1900 and originally known as Rod’s Block, after its owner John Rod Esq. of Johnsonville. Designed by architect Thomas Stoddart Lambert, the building was originally built as a three storey high mixed use commercial and residential development with a traditional Classical scheme of ornamentation including parapet entablature, external cornices, and decorative Classical pilasters. The ground floor was divided into four shops, each opening into Courtenay Place, and there were ‘four well-appointed’ two storey residences on the floors above. The corner unit boasted a handsome oval staircase, while the yard behind had stairs down to the basement level, and stabling for horses. The structure was masonry with cast iron reinforcing beams and timber floors.

      There are permit records for four alterations carried out in 1929 and 1930, including a new butcher’s shop opening from Allen Street designed by E. C. R. Anderson, architect, and the addition of a verandah. The top floor was removed in 1943, presumably as a result of damage caused by the 1942 Wellington / Wairarapa earthquake. The replacement of the Classical external ornamentation with a simplified, almost Art Deco, decorative scheme appears to date from this period.

      The building has been let to various commercial tenants over the past 100 years and the retail units have been occupied by butchers, as a confectioners and tea-rooms, as an antiques shop, and in more recent years as a bar and restaurant.

       

    • Modifications close
      • 1900
      • Shop and stable 00053:66:4090
      • 1916
      • Alterations to premises 00053:188:10343
      • 1929
      • Alter and construct shop front 00056:73:B7032
      • 1930
      • Suspended verandah 00056:100:B9239
      • unknown
      • Convert shop to butchers premise 00056:109:B10000
      • unknown
      • Extended portion of premises 00056:111:B10099
      • 1936
      • Partitions 00056:173:B15251, Partitions 00056:174:B15341
      • 1943
      • Reinstate premises remove top floor B22598
      • 1957
      • Shop front alterations 00058:25:C1256
      • 1958
      • Alterations to shop front 00058:58:C2889
      • 1963
      • Building alterations to shop 00058:316:C13700
      • 1966
      • Shop alterations 00058:483:C20796
      • 1971
      • Alterations – café 00058:720:C32673
      • 1989
      • Business additions and alterations 00059:260:D11723
      • 1993
      • Partitioning 00060:79:2973
      • 2001
      • Upgrade – ground floor 00078:805:77937
      • 2002
      • Refurbishment after fire 00078:1077:91234
      • 2005
      • Remodelling of façade 00078:1414:127199
      • 2006
      • Additions and alterations 00078:2289:147862
    • Occupation History close
      • 1905
      • John and James, butchers
      • 1935
      • Ground floor: Confectioner and tea rooms
      • unknown
      • First floor: Courtenay Chambers Limited
      • unknown
      • Second floor:Wright Radio Co.
      • 1950
      • Paramount Butchery
      • 1990
      • Antiques and Curios
      • 2012
      • Mishmosh Bar
  • close Architectural Information
    • Building Classification(s) close

      Not assessed

    • Architecture close

      30-36 Courtenay Place is a much altered Victorian Classical building. Although it was once a three storey building with Classical ornamentation the building has been reduced in size to a simplified two storey building with Art Deco overtones.

      The ground floor shop-fronts are modern and have little aesthetic or heritage value. The façade above verandah level comprises a simple parapet, deeply set Classically proportioned and detailed sash windows, and sculptural pilasters with unusual Art Deco “capitals” on which most (but not all) of the verandah supports are fixed. The other interesting feature of this building is the curved corner at the Courtenay Place, Allen Street intersection.

    • Materials close

      Rendered masonry

      Timber sash windows

      Timber roof structure with lightweight metal roofing

    • Setting close

      30 – 36 Courtenay Place is situated on the corner of Allen Street and Courtenay Place. To the north, along Allen Street, are former warehouse buildings which are consistent in style and age. The architectural style of the Rod’s Block building is in keeping with this. On the Courtenay Place side, the building is part of a collection of buildings situated on the block between Allen and Blair Streets which are of a similar height and age.

  • close Cultural Value

    Built in 1900, 30 – 36 Courtenay Place is a two storey building with a mix of Classical and Art Deco detailing and ornamentation. The building has been much altered but the notable features of the current façade are the deep set, well articulated Classical sash windows and the sculptural Art Deco pilasters both at first floor level.

    The building has representative historical value for its association with the historic development of both the Allen and Blair Street Precinct and Courtenay Place during the early twentieth century.

    The building is part of and contributes to the Courtenay Place Heritage Area, a unique collection of historic buildings of a similar age, style and use.

    • 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?

        30 – 36 Courtenay Place is a two storey building with a mix of Classical and Art Deco detailing and ornamentation. The building has been much altered but the notable features of the current façade are the deep set, well articulated Classical sash windows and the sculptural Art Deco pilasters both at first floor level.

      • 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 an important collection of buildings that comprise the Courtenay Place Heritage Area. Although most of the buildings were constructed in the first half of the 20th century, there are significant differences in age and style among some of the 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 has townscape value as it not only marks the corner of Allen Street and Courtenay Place, but its style is in keeping with that exhibited by adjoining buildings on both streets.

    • Historic Value close

      • Association

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

        The building is associated with the historical development of the Allen and Blair Street Precincts that took place between 1898 and 1904.

    • Scientific Value close

      • Archaeological

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

        It is known that there has been pre-1900 human activity on the site. Te Aro Pa was located nearby therefore the site will have archaeological significance to Māori. Central City NZAA R27/270

    • Social Value close

      • IdentitySenseOfPlaceContinuity

        Is the item a focus of community, regional, or national identity? Does the item contribute to sense of place or continuity?

        The building is part of the Courtenay Place heritage area which, because of its unique collection of heritage buildings, contributes to both a local Wellington and greater New Zealand identity.

    • Level of Cultural Heritage Significance close

      • Importance

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

        Because the building is part of a unique collection of heritage buildings it is important on both a local and national level.

    • Local / Regional / National / International Importance close

      Not assessed

  • close Site Detail

    • District Plan Number

      16/ 10.9

    • Legal Description

      Lot 2 DP 17163

    • Heritage New Zealand Listed

      Not listed

    • Archaeological Site

      Maori site of significance, Central City NZAA R27/270

    • Current Uses

      unknown

    • Former Uses

      unknown

    • Has building been funded

      No

    • Funding Amount

      Not applicable

    • Earthquake Prone Status

      124 Notice

  • close Additional Information

Last updated: 4/20/2017 2:54:57 AM