House

1 Holloway Road, Aro Valley, Wellington
❰ ❱
Image: Charles Collins, 2015

Image: WCC - Charles Collins, 2015

Image: Charles Collins, 2015
Image: Charles Collins, 2015
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  • Constructed

    c.1905

  • Architect(s)

    Unknown

  • Builder(s)

    Unknown

  • This house is a fairly modest two storey timber villa. Its style, type of construction, and materials are representative of a typical good quality house of the day with some added aesthetic interest provided by the generous verandahs and double hung sash windows. 

    This house is an important part of the local community and makes a significant contribution to the wider setting of Holloway Road and is a local landmark. It contributes significantly to the sense of place and continuity in the Aro Valley. 

    This house is historically associated with William Foster who was a well known identity in the Aro Valley area. This house has also had a representative and typical history, similar to that of many dwellings in the area and in Wellington.

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  • close History

    • Holloway Road, as an area, has had a long and interesting history. Situated in Mitchelltown in the Aro Valley, the area is typical of Wellington with its steep and uneven topography and sheltered valley spaces. Maori originally settled at the western end of the valley, utilising the Waimapihi Stream. In 1839 the land was purchased by the New Zealand company and European settlement followed.

      John Mitchell arrived in Wellington in November 1841 with his wife Mary and their six children. By 1850 the family had purchased land in Tawa, which was sold in 1854 enabling the family to purchase 215 acres at the top of the Aro Valley.

      Much of this land was steep hills covered in Rimu, Rata, and Matai, and Mitchell set about clearing the land, selling the timber to locals. By 1873 the land was predominantly cleared and was being used to run sheep.

      John Mitchell established the land as a family business, and his sons William, James, and Henry each had shares. Henry Mitchell bought out his brothers shares in the business and he is responsible for Holloway Road as it is seen today. Henry proceeded to subdivide the property to accommodate several building sites and then built thirty cottages of varying sizes, some single rooms while others had up to ten. Mitchell used these cottages as accommodation for his workers, preferring to lease the properties rather than sell them. Holloway Road was in many ways a ‘working mans village’, and has similar beginnings as the Aro Valley workers cottages, Tonks Grove, and Tinakori Road; despite the addition of some larger buildings in the 1900s and some modern development, the road remains in an almost original state.

      Mitchell sold a thirty acre parcel to Robert Tait who also used the land to build houses, creating what is now known as Taitville. Mitchelltown today still resembles a small outlying town, with Holloway Road as one of its primary streets.

      The pre 1900 community flourished, with the population being enough to sustain two grocers, butchery, and a school. Several small dairy herds, poultry runs, and vegetable gardens provided the essentials for the locals. In the early 1900’s some of the smaller buildings were demolished to make way for some larger two storey buildings. In 1914 one hundred and eight men were enlisted to serve in World War One from Mitchelltown, of which 19 were killed and 31 were wounded. In 1920 the community erected a memorial to these soldiers at the junction of Holloway Road and Aro Street.

      In the 1920s there were 92 properties in the valley, and two local identities owned 24 of these. William Haines (butcher) and John Brosnahan (carpenter) were landlords to many of the locals, helping Mitchelltown to retain its working class character. The economic downturn and subsequent depression in the 1930s saw poverty rise to new levels, tenant turnover was extremely high, community spirit was difficult to maintain, the shops began to close, and the dwellings soon began to fall into disrepair.

      Following World War Two and the rise of the state house in other areas of the city saw the legacy of Mitchelltown’s working past further lost. By 1963 complaints were being heard and newspapers such as The Evening Post were reporting that the Mitchelltown dwellings had become slums, and city councillors noted that the area illustrated an advanced stage of urban decay and advocated for their demolition and replacement with modern buildings. This did not occur, and the area continued to deteriorate.

      In the 1980s Victoria University proposed a sports facility for Holloway Road, which would be possible only with major earthworks, to which the residents of the area were vehemently opposed. The residents of Holloway Road became well known for their protests which stopped many planned demolitions.

      This area remains well preserved and is significant as a complete nineteenth century working class settlement. There have been few additions made to the streetscape and it remains almost unchanged from the time that the majority of these houses were constructed.      

      By 1905 the section that is occupied by 1 Holloway Road was owned by William Foster, the first secretary and later headmaster of Mitchelltown School. Foster held various civic positions prior to becoming the headmaster of the school, including Town Clerk of the Melrose Borough, collector of rates, and Inspector of Nuisances.

      The 1905 plans for the house are not consistent with the house as it stands today – the plan shows a one storey house with a large basement space, while the existing building is two storeys. The plan does place the proposed house on the same site as the current building, so it is possible that the extra storey was added after the plan was submitted.

      It appears that Foster and his wife occupied a dwelling in Mitchelltown prior to the construction of this house as Foster is listed as a resident of Mitchelltown in the first Stones Street directory for Wellington in 1891. In 1893 Emma Foster purchased the land on which the house sits from John Collins, a Wellington grocer.

      The Fosters lived in the house for a number of years, with Emma Foster remaining in the house following the death of her husband in 1918 until her own death in 1935. This house has a largely uninterrupted history of owner-occupancy from construction to the present day.

      In 1937 the Public Trustee sold the house to John Twinem, a mechanical engineer. He occupied the house until 1952, when it was sold to Maurice Revell, a printer. Like Twinem, Revell lived in the house until it sold. Newrick Associates purchased it in 1977 and it was transferred to Henry Newrick in 1982. The house is now owned by the Victoria University of Wellington and used as student accommodation.




    • Modifications close
      • 1905
      • 1 Holloway Road, dwelling (00043:9:665)
      • 1936
      • 1 Holloway Road, retaining wall (00056:170:B15010)
      • 1937
      • 1 Holloway Road, garage (00056:194:B16923)
      • 1971
      • 1 Holloway Road, out building alterations – school (00058:751:C33993)
      • 1978
      • 1 Holloway Road, dwelling alterations - repile (00058:1183:C50862)
      • 1979
      • 1 Holloway Road, pot belly stove with wetback (00058:1211:C51888)
      • 1980
      • 1 Holloway Road, reinstate garage (00058:1282:C54387)
      • 1983
      • Holloway Road [1 Holloway Road], shed (00058:0:C61772)
      • 1984
      • Holloway Road [1 Holloway Road], replace shed (00058:0:C64515)
      • 1999
      • 1 Holloway Road, replacement of section of foul water drain including new manhole (00078:494:55493)
    • Occupation History close
      • unknown
      • Not assessed
  • close Architectural Information
    • Building Classification(s) close

      Not assessed

    • Architecture close

      This house is a fairly modest two storey timber villa, box clad in broad rusticated weatherboards and trimmed with timber joinery, mostly double hung sash window, covered with a simple hipped corrugated iron roof and surmounted by a large brick chimney. Its otherwise plain design is enlivened by a substantial two storey verandah that wraps around the east side and half of the north and south sides of the house. The verandah is contained within the slope of the roof and is carefully detailed with fretwork balusters and trims.

      The house is partly built into the hillside at the lower level and this level is supported by a substantial retaining wall, which is of some engineering interest. Small additions to the rear of the building take the form of an irregular box with a hipped roof and a small lean-to joined on to that. If not original, it is likely that this was added soon after construction of the main house.

    • Materials close

      Broad rusticated weatherboard

      Timber joinery

      Brick chimney

      Corrugated iron roof

    • Setting close

      This house is set high on the side of the spur at the entrance to the Holloway Road area. The house is given great prominence in the area due to its elevated position above Holloway Road and is particularly visible against the wooded background. The house is a local landmark due to its isolated and prominent position and this status is enhanced by its setting against mature bush. It enhances the entrance to the Mitchelltown area. The broader setting is of old timber houses, located mainly at the valley floor, making them visually subservient to this house.

  • close Cultural Value

    This house is a fairly modest two storey timber villa. Its style, type of construction, and materials are representative of a typical good quality house of the day with some added aesthetic interest provided by the generous verandahs and double hung sash windows.

    This house is an important part of the local community and makes a significant contribution to the wider setting of Holloway Road and is a local landmark. It contributes significantly to the sense of place and continuity in the Aro Valley.

    This house is historically associated with William Foster who was a well known identity in the Aro Valley area. This house has also had a representative and typical history, similar to that of many dwellings in the area and in Wellington.

    • 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?

        This house is a fairly modest two storey timber villa. Its style, type of construction, and materials are representative of a typical good quality house of the day with some added aesthetic interest provided by the generous verandahs and double hung sash windows.

      • 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?

        This house is an important element in the historic area of Mitchelltown and the wider Aro Valley area and has high group value with the many other domestic buildings of the era in Holloway Road.

      • 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?

        This house has substantial townscape values due to its prominent and isolated position above the other houses on Holloway Road and is a local landmark.

    • Historic Value close

      • Association

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

        This house is historically associated with William Foster who was a well known identity in the Aro Valley area. 

      • Association

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

        This house has also had a representative and typical history, similar to that of many dwellings in the area and in Wellington. 

    • Scientific Value close

      • Archaeological

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

        Risk unknown – Pre 1900 human activity associated with area.

      • Technological

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

        There is technical value in the substantial retaining walls that support the lower level of the house.

    • Social Value close

      • 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 house is an important part of the local community and makes a significant contribution to the wider setting of Holloway Road and is a local landmark. It contributes significantly to the sense of place and continuity in the Aro Valley.

    • Level of Cultural Heritage Significance close

      • 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?

        This house has had few detrimental modifications made and retains a relatively authentic quality. It has authenticity of style, craftsmanship, materials, and setting.

      • Local Regional National International

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

        This house is locally significant for its architectural, townscape, and group values, its historic associations, its archaeological and technical values, and its authenticity.

      • Representative

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

        This house is a good representative of its style, the Edwardian villa, and its construction and materials are representative of its time.

    • Local / Regional / National / International Importance close

      Not assessed

  • close Site Detail

    • District Plan Number

      11/ 140

    • Legal Description

      Pt Section 10 Owhiro District

    • Heritage New Zealand Listed

      2/ 4122

    • Archaeological Site

      Risk unknown – Pre 1900 human activity associated with area

    • Current Uses

      unknown

    • Former Uses

      unknown

    • Has building been funded

      No

    • Funding Amount

      Not applicable

    • Earthquake Prone Status

      Not Earthquake Prone

  • close Additional Information
    • Sources close
      • Mawdsley, Matt. 61 Holloway Road – Conservation Plan.’ Prepared for Victoria University ARCH 273, 2007.
      • Murray, Russell. House – 1 Holloway Road. Wellington City Council: Unpublished report, prepared for Plan Change 53, 2005.
      • 1905 1 Holloway Road, dwelling (00043:9:665)
      • 1936 1 Holloway Road, retaining wall (00056:170:B15010)
      • 1937 1 Holloway Road, garage (00056:194:B16923)
      • 1971 1 Holloway Road, out building alterations – school (00058:751:C33993)
      • 1978 1 Holloway Road, dwelling alterations - repile (00058:1183:C50862)
      • 1979 1 Holloway Road, pot belly stove with wetback (00058:1211:C51888)
      • 1980 1 Holloway Road, reinstate garage (00058:1282:C54387)
      • 1983 Holloway Road [1 Holloway Road], shed (00058:0:C61772)
      • 1984 Holloway Road [1 Holloway Road], replace shed (00058:0:C64515)
      • 1999 1 Holloway Road, replacement of section of foulwater drain including new manhole (00078:494:55493)
    • Technical Documentation close

      Not available

    • Footnotes close

      Not available

Last updated: 10/6/2017 1:52:53 AM