House (former Balmoral Flats)

Balmoral Flats

10 Balmoral Terrace, Newtown, Wellington
Image: Charles Collins - 2015

Image: WCC - Charles Collins, 2015

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  • Constructed

    1893 - 1923

  • Architect(s)

    Allan Smith

  • Builder(s)

    Additions: G. Low

  • This house, the former Balmoral flats, is an eclectic design that integrates stripped 1920s features with ornamental Italianate elements to create an interesting and unusual example of domestic architecture.

    This house is not associated with any particular historical figures or events, but does have a general historic/social value for its unusual development from a late Victorian workers cottage to an exotic small mansion.

    This house is a rare example of such elaborate domestic architecture in Wellington, the design of the house and wall are rather unique, and stand out from the predominantly timber buildings in the area.

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  • close History

    • The house, with its distinctive fence, at 10 Balmoral Terrace is an unusual design with unclear origins. The elaborate design combines features of 1920s stripped back styles with bold Italianate elements in an interesting and unusual way. The house, together with the wall, is a rare example of such an elaborate form of domestic architecture in Wellington.

      This house was built in two stages; the original cottage (which adjoins the rear of the property) was built in 1893/94 by Allan Smith and was the first house on section 863. Smith is listed as building the cottage himself, as well as making additions to it the following year. It remained the only building on the land until 1903 when Balmoral Road, which had been a private road, was taken over by the Wellington City Council and a private speculator development was undertaken by builder J. Moffat.

      The property was purchased in 1922 by Charles George Low and his wife Malfred, The second portion of the house, what is visible from the street now, was built in 1923. Low, a plasterer by trade was possibly also the designer of the house as no architect is listed on the plans or the building permits. The estimated cost of the work was £780 and it can be assumed that part of the original house on the site had to be removed to accommodate the addition. At this time timber houses were much more common, so the addition to 10 Balmoral Terrace, and the wall, is a radical departure from this style.

      The boundary fence/wall was not included on the plans for the main building, but it is probable that it was constructed at the same time given the stylistic similarities and the materials used.

      Low died in 1937 and the house was sold to Beatrice Stellin. She does not appear to have ever occupied the house and within a few years it was converted into three flats, gaining the name ‘Balmoral Flats’. It seems likely that the flats were of a high standard as the professions of various occupants included dentists, engineers, chemists, and the like.

      In 1968 Stellin died, and the Public Trust held the property for three years. It was sold to Ivan Kwasza, a company director, in 1971. He sold the property the following year to Howard Millard, a toolmaker, and his wife Norma. They owned the property for nine years, living in part of it, and leasing out a portion. The property changed hands four times in as many years before it was purchased by Margot Thomas (nee Calvin), in 1987. In 1993 it was sold to Kathleen Hall and Sally Hunter who remain the owners in 2013.

      Since 1937, when the house was converted to flats, few major changes have been made. In 2001 the foundations of the house were underpinned and the retaining wall and steps were stabilised. In 2012 work was carried out to address water ingress and ventilation issues and a grant from the Wellington City Council Built Heritage Incentive Fund was received by the owners for work.

    • Modifications close
      • 1893
      • Original construction
      • 1922
      • 10 Balmoral Terrace, additions (00055:13:A1322)
      • 1937
      • 10 Balmoral Terrace, convert 2 flats into 3 flats (00056:190:B16655)
      • 2000
      • 10 Balmoral Terrace, underpinning to dwelling foundation and stabilisation of retaining wall (00078:406:61462)
    • Occupation History close
      • unknown
      • Not Assessed
  • close Architectural Information
    • Building Classification(s) close

      Not assessed

    • Architecture close

      The house and front boundary fence are striking designs. The house shows a strong Italianate influence which mixes with Deco flourishes and villa style bay windows. Although the front section is overall a large ornamental box with a shallow mono pitch roof, the street façade is intricately composed and detailed. It contrasts strongly with its neighbours, all rather less ornate timber buildings.

      The façade features an interesting composition of solid and void which generates strong shadows. It is complemented by the strongly detailed external staircase which rises to a segmentally curved balcony supported on Corinthian columns, which in turn support slender Doric columns rising to the roof above. The balcony features a larger scale version of the Ionic balustrading that is seen on the fence and this façade includes semi hexagonal bay windows at ground level and first floors and is trimmed in a mixture of timber and steel joinery. The plain surfaces of the façade are decorated with extensive pargetting in a variety of patterns. A small parapet rises above a shallow cornice, which is also decorated with small dentils. At the right side of the façade, a narrow passage which runs under the top floor lets on to the rear of the house. The side facades are plainly detailed, with square trimmed window openings.

      At the back of the house are the remains of the original 1893 building, which consists of around two thirds of the original hipped roof volume and a smallish lean to structure at the south west.

    • Materials close

      Rendered brick and concrete

    • Setting close

      The house is located on a narrow site at the top of Balmoral Terrace, a sloping cul-de-sac at the south eastern side of Newtown. It is set back from, and above the street; the hill rises sharply to the east, but the site is open to the other three sides. The street front features an interesting masonry boundary wall. The house fills most of the site, save for the front garden and a small backyard area.

      The house is a local landmark as it contrasts markedly with its more modest neighbours, and makes a positive contribution to the local streetscape. Its wider setting is the residential area of Newtown, which is predominantly composed of old timber workers houses.

  • close Cultural Value

    This house, the former Balmoral flats, is an eclectic design that integrates stripped 1920s features with ornamental Italianate elements to create an interesting and unusual example of domestic architecture.

    This house is not associated with any particular historical figures or events, but does have a general historic/social value for its unusual development from a late Victorian workers cottage to an exotic small mansion.

    This house is a rare example of such elaborate domestic architecture in Wellington, the design of the house and wall are rather unique, and stand out from the predominantly timber buildings in the area.

    • 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, the former Balmoral flats, is an eclectic design that integrates stripped 1920s features with ornamental Italianate elements to create an interesting and unusual example of domestic architecture.

      • 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 house is a local landmark as it contrasts markedly with its more modest neighbours, and makes a positive contribution to the local streetscape.

    • Historic Value close

      • Association

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

        This house is not associated with any particular historical figures or events, but does have a general historic/social value for its unusual development from a late Victorian workers cottage to an exotic small mansion.

    • Scientific Value close

      • Archaeological

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

        Part of this house was constructed pre 1900 making it an archaeological site. Risk of accidental discovery is unknown.

      • Technological

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

        There is some technical value in the design and construction of the house. The composition and scale of the additions, and the various ornaments found on the fence and building, are not quite what could be expected of a typical architect of the day.

    • 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 eccentric and ostentatious house stands out in its setting and is a local landmark, contributing visual amenity, character, continuity, and sense of place to 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?

        This house retains significant amounts of original material and has been through few major alterations

      • Rare

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

        This house is a rare example of such elaborate domestic architecture in Wellington, the design of the house and wall are rather unique, and stand out from the predominantly timber buildings in the area.

      • Importance

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

        This house is locally important for its distinctive architecture (including the fence), its landmark and townscape values, its unusual historical development, and its authenticity.

    • Local / Regional / National / International Importance close

      Not assessed

  • close Site Detail

    • District Plan Number

      6/ 24

    • Legal Description

      Lot 7 DP 1056

    • Heritage New Zealand Listed

      2/ Historic Place 2901

    • Archaeological Site

      Pre 1900 Construction

    • Current Uses

      unknown

    • Former Uses

      unknown

    • Has building been funded

      Yes

    • Funding Amount

      $5,000.00

    • Funding Details

      August 2012 - Grant of $5,000 awarded in contribution towards installing drainage to resolve water ingress into the downstairs flat, and towards the restoration of exterior plaster work on the house and fence.

      Funding Type: Preservation/Other.

    • Earthquake Prone Status

      Outside Earthquake Prone Policy

  • close Additional Information
    • Sources close
      • Murray, Russell. House – 10 Balmoral Terrace. Wellington City Council: Unpublished report, 2006.
      • Archives: 1922 10 Balmoral Terrace, additions (00055:13:A1322)
      • Archives: 1937 10 Balmoral Terrace, convert 2 flats into 3 flats (00056:190:B16655)
      • Archives: 2000 10 Balmoral Terrace, underpinning to dwelling foundation and stabilisation of retaining wall(00078:406:61462)
    • Technical Documentation close
    • Footnotes close

      Not available

Last updated: 11/2/2016 3:34:39 AM