112 Abel Smith Street

112 Abel Smith Street, Te Aro, Wellington
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Image: WCC - Charles Collins, 2015

Cityview GIS 2013
Map

  • Constructed

    1874

  • Architect(s)

    Unknown

  • Builder(s)

    Unknown

  • The house at 112 Abel Smith Street is a typical single storey Victorian cottage and has aesthetic value for its design, proportions, and ornamented façade.

    This house has had a modest, uneventful, and typical history that is representative of many inner city residential properties. 

    This house is a good representative of a timber cottage, with a history that is representative of the area, and was constructed in materials and using techniques that were common to the period.   

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  • close History

    • This cottage is an important historic structure in the context of the street. It is among the oldest timber structures remaining on Abel Smith Street and is an important survivor of the era in which it was built. It is one of three cottages on Abel Smith Street that make up a small precinct of similar cottages. They are relatively typical of the working class housing that was once predominant in this part of Te Aro.

      The house at 112 Abel Smith Street has had a quiet history, typical for a residence in this area. It is a representative example of the modest workers cottages that typify pre-1900 European settlement in the Wellington region.

      The site that this house occupies was originally part of town acre 117, one of the original 11oo town sections created during the settlement of Wellington. The property was purchased by William Short in 1874. It appears that 112 Abel Smith Street is the original building constructed on this site, and was built by 1892 as it appears on the 1892 Thomas Ward map.

      William Short remained the owner until his death in 1906 when the property was transferred to his wife, Jane. In 1907 Jane remarried to John William McLean Field. In 1909 Jane and John were named as the joint owners of the property. In 1939 the property was transferred to Thomas Field Crichton and Richard Edward Tripe as executors. Immediately it was transferred to Catherine Mary Crichton. It appears that she remained the owner until 1990 when it was transferred to Russell Feist and Keith Matthews as executors, and in 1993 it was sold to Uptown Properties. In 2006 the property was transferred to Aro Restoration Limited, which remains the owner in 2013.

      It is difficult to ascertain what modifications, additions, or alterations have been made to this cottage, as no building permit records survive.


    • Modifications close
      • unknown
      • (original plans cannot be accessed)
      • 1928
      • Private drainage connection application plans – Applicant: McLean (00432: 49: 3338)
    • Occupation History close
      • unknown
      • (Only if known – check Heritage Area Spreadsheets PC 48 / Section 32 reports
  • close Architectural Information
    • Building Classification(s) close

      Not assessed

    • Architecture close

      It appears that 112 Abel Smith Street is the original building constructed on this site, and was built by 1892 as it appears on the 1892 Thomas Ward map. It is a simple cottage with two windows on the front façade. It has rustic timber profile weatherboards, and a decorative verandah. It appears to have a typical simple configuration of a house from this period, with four main rooms in the building and a small lean to at the rear.

    • Materials close

      Timber joinery

      Rustic weatherboard cladding

      Steel cladding/roofing

    • Setting close

      This house is situated on Abel Smith Street between a similar single storey cottage and a modern garage building. This block is made up of a number of timber houses that act as a reminder of the residential use of this area and upper Cuba Street, but this setting has been impacted upon by the construction of the Wellington urban motorway and Karo Drive which detract from the aesthetic value of these buildings and the area.

  • close Cultural Value

    The house at 112 Abel Smith Street is a typical single storey Victorian cottage and has aesthetic value for its design, proportions, and ornamented façade.

    This house has had a modest, uneventful, and typical history that is representative of many inner city residential properties.

    This house is a good representative of a timber cottage, with a history that is representative of the area, and was constructed in materials and using techniques that were common to the period.

    • 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?

        The house at 112 Abel Smith Street is a typical single storey Victorian cottage and has aesthetic value for its design, proportions, and ornamented façade.

      • 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 is of townscape value as it adds to the character and sense of place on Abel Smith Street, particularly in relation to its immediate neighbours, which act as a reminder of the residential use that this area and Upper Cuba Street once had.

    • Historic Value close

      • Association

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

        This house has had a modest, uneventful, and typical history that is representative of many inner city residential properties.

    • Scientific Value close

      • Archaeological

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

        This house is likely to predate 1900, and is found in the NZAA Central City Archaeological area R27/270.

    • Social Value close

      Not assessed

    • 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 retained a significant amount of original exterior fabric and has authenticity.

      • 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 important for the role that it plays in the streetscape, and for its representative values.

      • Representative

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

        This house is a good representative of a timber cottage, with a history that is representative of the area, and was constructed in materials and using techniques that were common to the period.

    • Local / Regional / National / International Importance close

      Not assessed

  • close Site Detail

    • District Plan Number

      16/ 3.3

    • Legal Description

      Pt Section 117 Town of Wellington

    • Heritage New Zealand Listed

      Not Listed

    • Archaeological Site

      Pre 1900 Building, NZAA Central City Archaeological Area R27/270

    • Current Uses

      unknown

    • Former Uses

      unknown

    • Has building been funded

      No

    • Funding Amount

      Not applicable

    • Earthquake Prone Status

      Not Earthquake Prone

  • close Additional Information

Last updated: 4/20/2017 3:17:30 AM