Former Nestlés Building

• 1931
• Building constructed (00056:122:B11090)
• 1974
• New doors and windows inserted into the ground floor front façade and internal alterations (for RSA) (00058:956:C41994)
• 1990
• Additions and alterations (00059:362:E19474)
• 1994
• Refurbish toilet and kitchen (00078:244:52407)
• 1995
• Restaurant alterations (00061:157:15060)
• 1999
• Refurbish toilet and kitchen (00078:1689:53883)
• 2002
• First floor converted to offices for Datamine (00078:1760:86915)
• 2004
• Basement converted to a bar for Bodega (SR 120160)

• 1931 - 1974
• Nestle
• 1974
• RSA
• 1988
• Brasserie Flipp
• c.2002
• Datamine (level 1)
• c.2002 - 2013
• Bodega (ground & basement)
• unknown - 2013
• Zeal Education Trust (level 1)

Not assessed

The former Nestlés Building is two stories high with a basement below the front part on Ghuznee Street. The front elevation is distinctive for the four large windows at first floor level, each divided into six small panes vertically and nine (three groups of three) horizontally. The windows are held in an architectural framework of fluted pilasters supporting a horizontal entablature of alternating tri-glyphs and metopes, with a plain parapet above. The existing verandah, hung from the wall on tie rods, matches that shown on the original drawings. At the ground floor level a change has been made with the closing in of the cart dock that originally occupied the left half of the façade.

The building was finished to a very high standard, with bronze, brass and stone specified for surfaces around the main doors and polished dark grey Nelson marble for the front wall. Terrazzo, tiles and wood panelling were specified for the entrance spaces. Although a medium-sized building of utilitarian office/warehousing function, it is notable for the high-quality in its structure and finishes.

The structure is in-situ reinforced concrete for all elements - foundations, walls, columns, beams and floors, while the roof is carried on timber trusses that span the full width of the building.

The building is situated opposite the very fine timber Gothic St. Peter’s Church (WCC ref 16/352) and within a line of site of the unusual Tudor Revival style former Red Cross Building (WCC 16/351) but has little in common with either building in terms of history, date, style or patterns of use. Instead it is notable as a fine early 20th century inter-war commercial building that contributes to a streetscape of less distinguished modern commercial buildings.

• 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 former Nestlés Building is a particularly fine example of an inter-war commercial building. The building was built in an Art Deco inspired stripped Classical style. It was very well built and was finished with high quality materials such as bronze and marble in public entrances and spaces.

• 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 a fine early 20th century commercial building that contributes visual interest to the rather mixed streetscape of the Ghuznee and Willis Street intersection.

• Association

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

  The building derives historic significance from its association with what has become one of the biggest food companies in the world. The Nestlé and Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Co. was already a major international firm by 1931 and it built, owned and occupied this building for over 40 years.

• Association

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

  The building has some historic association with the RSA and with popular Wellington venues – Brasserie Flipp and Bar Bodega. 

• Archaeological

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

  The building is located in the central city archaeological site reference NZAA R27/270.

• Technological

  Does the item have technological value for its innovative or important construction methods or use of materials?

  There is technical value in the concrete structure of the building, and in the surviving original features, fixtures and finishes.

• 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 external alterations and additions over the past 80 years and contributes to the sense of place and continuity of the Ghuznee Street/Willis Street intersection.

• Sentiment Connection

  Is the item a focus of community sentiment and connection?

  The building has some social value for its association with the RSA, the prominent restaurant Brasserie Flipp, and Bodega, Wellington’s oldest live music venue.

• 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?

  Despite modifications, the level of authenticity of important elements such as the front façade is high.

• 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 of local importance for its historic and aesthetic values.

• Representative

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

  The building is a good example of the stripped Classical inter-war style of architecture.

Not assessed

• Architects drawing of high rise building for the Wellington Returned Services' Association. Dominion post (Newspaper): Photographic negatives and prints of the Evening Post and Dominion newspapers. Ref: EP-Clubs and associations-RSA-01. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand.
• Nestle website
• Tyler, Linda. “The hours and times of your desire’: Sholto Smith's romantic vision for Colwyn (1925), Conference abstract, ‘“Good Architecture should not be a plaything”: New Zealand architecture in the 1920s’ a one day symposium, Friday 2nd December 2011. Abstracts available online:
• Wellington City Council, “103 Ghuznee Street,” Wellington Heritage Building Inventory 2001: Non-Residential Buildings. (Wellington City Council, 2001), GHUZ1.
• Wises Post Office Directory - Various
• “Deaths”, New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18102, 29 May 1922, Page 1

Not available

Not available