Dr Henry Pollen House

• 1902
• Residence and surgery 00053:80:4673
• 1907
• Alterations 00053:142:7904
• 1935
• Additions to dwelling 00056:154:B13765
• 1975
• Upgrade building 00058:984:C43094
• 1977
• Convert to restaurant 00058:1082:C46878
• 1979
• Upgrade for fire and egresses 00058:1216:C52098
• 1990
• Restoration: Works included the installation of new reinforced concrete foundations; installation of a new corrugated mild steel roof; addition/adaptation of internal stairs; removal of all brick hearths and chimneys; addition of lightweight replica chimneys E20387

• 1902
• Henry Pollen
• 1919
• Eric Lachlan Marchant
• 1967
• Restaurant
• 1995
• Aqua Viate Wine Bar
• 2012
• The General Practitioner

Not assessed

Dr Henry Pollen House was designed by prominent Wellington architect, Thomas Turnbull, in a French Second Empire style which includes French Renaissance and Post-Renaissance decorative motifs, as well as elements of High Victorian Gothic. The building has no real equivalent in the Capital and the overall design is exceptional in its originality. The house is three stories high, with double-bay windows carried through two floors. The windows themselves are round headed, with heavy architraves and segmented hood moulds. String courses, panel moulding, and strongly projecting eaves tie the composition together and demarcate interior floor levels on the exterior facade. The Mansard roof, with a projecting turret, is another outstanding feature of the building, along with balconies on two levels.

The building makes a notably original contribution to the Willis Street and Boulcott Street townscape because of its exuberant architecture. Stylistic links to Antrim House (1905) at 63 Boulcott Street are clear. Both were designed by Thomas Turnbull in the grand manner, employing French Renaissance motifs, turrets and Mansard roofs, and the imitation of stone elements in timber.

Some internal walls have been removed or relocated on the ground and first floors, but important spaces such as the dining room and best bedroom maintain much of their original integrity. On the second floor there have been substantial alterations. Because of this it is difficult to identify original rooms and purposes.

‘12 Boulcott Street, residence and surgery,’ 05 February 1902, 00053:80:4673, Wellington City Archives.

Modern ‘reinforced concrete masonry’ foundation walls (1990)

Timber framing with rusticated timber weatherboards

Timber sash windows

Corrugated mild steel roof (1990)

Prior to its relocation in 1988 the building was originally located further up Boulcott Street, opposite St Mary of the Angels. Today the building is situated on the corner of Boulcott Street and Willis Street. It overlooks the intersection that is created by the meeting of these streets with the western end of Manners Street. To both the west and the north of the building is the Majestic Centre, with the Majestic Tower rising above. Across from the building, on the southern side of Boulcott Street is the Hotel St George (1929). Further along this side of Boulcott Street stands St Mary of the Angels (1922). Across from it, on the other side of Willis Street stands the Jaycee Building (1920).

• 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 Dr Henry Pollen House is a fine example of a French Second Empire-style house that was designed by prominent local architect, Thomas Turnbull. It is notable for the quality of its design, materials and workmanship and for its vigour, originality, complex form and extravagant detailing.

• 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?

  The building has some group value when considered in relation to the other house/surgeries that once lined upper Willis Street, particularly Dr McGavin’s house at 200 Willis Street by William Turnbull, Dr Ewart’s House at 279 Willis Street, Dr Levy’s maternity hospital at 278 Willis Street (now relocated), and Dr Alexander Wilson Hogg’s house at 319 Willis Street (also relocated).

• 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 intersection of Willis, Manners and Boulcott Streets is a key nodal junction on Wellington city’s Golden Mile. Dr Henry Pollen’s house has been a distinctive element in the townscape ever since its relocation in 1988.

• Assocation

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

  Dr Henry Pollen’s house is historically significant as the residence and surgery for the prominent Wellington medical practitioner, Dr Henry Pollen. He held many medical posts in the capital over the years and died in the house in 1918. Since Pollen’s death the house has had a variety of uses, as a private residence, massage parlour, wine bar and, most recently, a restaurant.
  
  

• Association

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

  The building is associated with the construction of doctors’ residences at the upper end of Willis Street (such as Dr. McGavin’s surgery at 200 Willis Street) which took place during the first quarter of the early twentieth century.

• 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.

• Public Esteem

  Is the item held in high public esteem?

  The building is held in high public esteem.

• 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 its relocation in 1988 the building’s exterior has retained a significant amount of original fabric therefore it has authenticity.

• Rare

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

  The building is architecturally rare for Wellington.

• Importance

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

  Because the architectural style of the building is rare for Wellington and due to its historical association with the practice of medicine in early twentieth century Wellington, the building is important on a local level.

Not assessed

• New Zealand Historic Places Trust. ‘Buildings Classification Committee Report.’
• New Zealand Historic Places Trust Professional Biographies. ‘Thomas Turnbull.’ Accessed 15 October 2012.
• Wellington City Council. ‘12 Boulcott Street.’ Wellington Heritage Building Inventory 2001: Non-Residential Buildings. Wellington City Council, 2001. BOUL1.4.0Criteria for assessing cultural heritage significance

• Inventory Report
• n.d. original plans
• 1977 plans
• 1990 plans

Not available