House

207 Aro Street, Te Aro, Wellington
205 and 207 Aro Street (Image: Charles Collins, 2015)

205 and 207 Aro Street (Image: WCC - Charles Collins, 2015)

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  • Constructed

    c.1897 - 1897

  • Architect(s)

    Unknown

  • Builder(s)

    George Baker

  • 205 and 207 are important representative examples of the modest workers cottages that typify pre 1900 European settlement in the Wellington region. 

      

    While the historical associations may appear slight, as these buildings have not been associated with any events of great importance, their historical significance is associated with the fact that the area as a whole has an almost unbroken history of working class life, and the houses consistently reflect this history.

    They contribute significantly to the wider historic townscape of workers cottages and larger villas that make up Wellington’s Aro Street contributing visual interest as a matching pair.

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  • close History

    • The houses at 205 and 207 Aro Street have had quiet histories but are important representative examples of the modest workers cottages that typify pre 1900 European settlement in the Wellington region.  

      The land that these cottages now occupy was originally settled by Maori, and subsequently placed in Maori ownership following the subdivision and colonisation of Wellington. The land was further subdivided by its original owners and the part known as section 5 was purchased by Richard Kirk in the early 1890s (1893). Kirk, in the late 1890s, subdivided this section into two lots, lot 43 and lot 44.

      Lot 43 was sold to Robert Mason, while lot 44 was sold to William George Baker, a noted landscape artist. 

      It is probable that the houses built on section 44 (now 205 and 207) were built around this time by William’s father, George Baker, a well known builder and developer in Wellington at this time. The land was further subdivided by Baker, and two caveats were placed upon the land, one in 1911 by Thomas Lavin, and one in 1916 by Harriet Harding. It is not clear from Certificate of Title information, but city archive permit records state that an H. Harding was the owner of 207 Aro Street in 1919.    

      The section occupied by 207 was sold to Thomas Lavin in 1924, and in 1927 the balance of the land was sold to Thomas’s wife, Susan. The Lavin’s lived at 205 Aro Street, with Susan remaining the owner following the death of Thomas in 1928. In 1935 Susan transferred the property to Isabella Elizabeth Wells, who in 1940 sold the property to Harry and Myra Harding. In 1952 the house at 205 was sold to Frederick Adams, who almost immediately sold it to Thomas Lane. In 1974 there was a transmission of the property to the Public Trustee as administrators, and in 1975 there is notice of compensation being paid under the Public Works Act. Later that same year the land was gazetted for the use of Victoria University who remain the owners of 205 and 207. 

      The houses are intact examples of the type of housing that once dominated New Zealand construction. Designed and constructed by the builders, the materials of native timbers and corrugated iron were easily accessible, cheap, and provided flexibility for future alterations and additions. These houses continue to serve their residential purpose and add to our understanding of how people lived at the turn of the twentieth century. They contribute significantly to the wider historic landscape of workers cottages and larger villas that make up Wellington’s Aro Street.

    • Modifications close
      • 1919
      • 207 Aro Street, brick wall (00053:197:10897)
      • 1949
      • 207 Aro Street, bathroom (00056:362:B27862)
      • 1999
      • 207 Aro Street, additions and alterations (00078:301:55652)
    • Occupation History close
      • unknown
      • Not Assessed
  • close Architectural Information
    • Building Classification(s) close

      Not assessed

    • Architecture close
      These workers cottages possess single gables, are rectangular in plan, and are one room wide. They have rusticated weatherboards and a bay window on the street façade, and corrugated iron side walls. The bay windows give some depth to otherwise flat and uninteresting elevations. The cover board beneath the window sills are a feature of many early houses. The simplicity and small scale of these cottages add to the character of the Aro Valley streetscape.
    • Materials close
      Rusticated weatherboard

      Corrugated iron roof and sides

      Timber window joinery
    • Setting close
       These cottages are situated on Aro Street, in the Aro Valley. They are a pair of valuable additions to one of the best preserved precincts of period workers dwellings in Wellington.
  • close Cultural Value
    205 and 207 are important representative examples of the modest workers cottages that typify pre 1900 European settlement in the Wellington region. 
      

    While the historical associations may appear slight, as these buildings have not been associated with any events of great importance, their historical significance is associated with the fact that the area as a whole has an almost unbroken history of working class life, and the houses consistently reflect this history.

    They contribute significantly to the wider historic townscape of workers cottages and larger villas that make up Wellington’s Aro Street contributing visual interest as a matching pair.

    • 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?

        205 and 207 are important representative examples of the modest workers cottages that typify pre 1900 European settlement in the Wellington region.

      • 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?

        They are a pair of valuable additions to one of the best preserved precincts of period workers dwellings in Wellington. These buildings are a part of the largest collection of intact working class buildings in Wellington, giving them an important local significance.

      • 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?

        They contribute significantly to the wider historic townscape of workers cottages and larger villas that make up Wellington’s Aro Street contributing visual interest as a matching pair.

    • Historic Value close

      • Association

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

        While the historical associations may appear slight, as these buildings have not been associated with any events of great importance, their historical significance is associated with the fact that the area as a whole has an almost unbroken history of working class life and the houses consistently reflect this history.

    • Scientific Value close

      • Archaeological

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

        These cottages are in an area known to have pre 1900 human activity associated with it, and were built pre 1900. Risk of accidental discovery is high.

    • Social Value close

      • Identity Sense of place Continuit

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

        These houses contribute to the sense of place and continuity on Aro Street due to the retention of their original features and their long standing place in the streetscape.

    • 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?

        These houses retain a significant amount of authenticity having had few exterior modifications.

      • Significance Data

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

        These houses are representative of the types of workers dwellings from the turn of the century. They are constructed in materials, and using techniques, that were common to the period.

      • Local

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

        These buildings are a part of the largest collection of intact working class buildings in Wellington, giving them an important local significance and should be recognised for their outstanding group heritage value.

    • Local / Regional / National / International Importance close

      Not assessed

  • close Site Detail

    • District Plan Number

      11/15.2

    • Legal Description

      Pt Lot 44 DP 710

    • Heritage New Zealand Listed

      2/Historic Place 7082

    • Archaeological Site

      Pre 1900 building

    • Current Uses

      unknown

    • Former Uses

      unknown

    • Has building been funded

      No

    • Funding Amount

      Not applicable

    • Earthquake Prone Status

      Outside Earthquake Prone Policy

  • close Additional Information

Last updated: 2/16/2017 2:38:41 AM