Wellington Free Ambulance Building (Former)

• 1932 - 1933
• Building Constructed
• 1946
• Building modification – Additions and alterations Building modification – Additions and alterations (unknown)
• 1964
• Building modification
• 1974
• Building modification – Demolition Building modification – Demolition (5 Cable Street)
• 1986
• Building modification
• 1998
• Building modification
• 1999
• Building modification
• 2000
• Building modification – Fit out for theatre space
• 2006
• Building modification – Refurbishment, structural strengthening of the existing building shell and interior. New mezzanine Level 1 floor area

• 1932 - 1994
• Wellington Free Ambulance
• 1994 - 2000
• Various temporary bar/restaurant
• 2006
• – present: St John’s Bar and restaurant

Not assessed

Charles Norwood’s brief to the architect William Turnbull was to construct a building that was distinctive, modern, and functional. It is clear that the task was admirably conceived and carried out, and the building survives today as on of the finest purpose-built Art Deco buildings in the city.

This building is remarkable for its sculptural aspect, demonstrating to advantage the clean and uncluttered lines that are characteristic of Art Deco. A feature of the building is the emphasis on the vertical which can be seen in the elongated window recesses and vertical moulding and banding on the façade. The treatment of the stepped parapets on the front and back elevations, and the general massing of the building, are subtle suggestions of the Art Deco influence of the building.

The interiors demonstrate a concern for natural ventilation and natural lighting with large open spaces and a skylight overhead in the former garage area. There is a wealth of Art Deco decorative detail; including plaster friezes and decorative capitals that feature Masonic insignia. Original geometric floor tiling survives along with Art Deco lampshades and wall fittings.

This building is uniquely scaled and is a distinctive landmark on the Wellington waterfront. It is a visual contrast to many of the surrounding buildings.

The building is constructed with foundations of reinforced concrete, with cast in situ concrete walls, floors, and roofs over a steel frame.

The distinctive Art Deco architectural style, and its prominent location on one of Wellington’s main arterial routes, gives this building considerable townscape and setting value.

The Wellington waterfront is a significant and popular open space, surrounded by a number of important heritage and modern commercial buildings. The Former Free Ambulance together with the adjacent Odlins Building and Shed 22, and the nearby John Chambers Building, Wellington Rowing Club and Star Boating Club create a harbour edge precinct of considerable heritage value.

• 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 Wellington Free Ambulance building is a fine example of an Art Deco civic building. It is notable for its distinctive, external, sculptural form, and for the quality of its internal Art Deco fittings, spaces and decorative schemes. It was the first purpose-built ambulance station in New Zealand.

• 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 Former Free Ambulance together with the adjacent Odlins Building and Shed 22, and the nearby John Chambers Building, Wellington Rowing Club and Star Boating Club create a harbour edge precinct of considerable heritage value.

• 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 distinctive Art Deco architectural style, and its prominent location on one of Wellington’s main arterial routes, gives this building considerable townscape and setting value.

• Association

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

  This building is associated with two important people in the history of Wellington. The first is Sir Charles Norwood, who established the Wellington Free Ambulance. The second is William Turnbull, one of Wellington’s most prominent architects.

• Asssociation

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

  The Wellington Free Ambulance is the second largest road ambulance service provider in New Zealand, and provides a distinct regional service.  The building was the first headquarters for the service, and was the first purpose-built ambulance stations to be built in New Zealand.

• Archaeological

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

  This building is a part of the NZAA R27/266 – Historic reclamations archaeological area.

• Technological

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

  This building is of significant technological value due to its foundations of reinforced concrete, with cast in situ concrete walls, floors, and roofs over a steel frame. This design was influenced by the 1931 Hawkes Bay Earthquakes and the innovations that developed following that event.

• 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 building was the home of the Wellington Free Ambulance for over 60 years and has had few significant modifications carried out. Although the service has moved to new premises, the building continues to contribute to a sense of community identity, and sense of place and continuity in Wellington city.

• Public Esteem

  Is the item held in high public esteem?

  The building is held in high public esteem, and this is evident by the public outcry when the building was proposed for demolition in the 1980s, and by its subsequent protection by a Heritage Order.

• Sentiment Connection

  Is the item a focus of community sentiment and connection?

  The emergency services have a highly recognised public profile, so it is not surprising that the former home of the Wellington Free Ambulance service continues to be held in high public regard and as a focus of community connection.

• 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 building retains authenticity and integrity as there have been few significant modifications made to the fabric of the building.

• Rare

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

  This building is of high cultural heritage significance as the first purpose-built ambulance building in New Zealand.

• Representative

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

  This building is a good example of Art Deco in Wellington, being one of three large scale Art Deco buildings on major arterial routes through the city (the others are the Waterloo Hotel and the Hotel St George).

• Importance

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

  The former Wellington Free Ambulance building is a nationally important building as the first purpose-built ambulance building in New Zealand. It has regional and local significance as the former home of Wellington’s regional road-ambulance service.

Not assessed

• Deco Danny, ‘Flickr’, accessed 10/05/2013,
• O’Brien, Rebecca. Wellington Free Ambulance Building: 5 – 9 Cable Street. Historic Places Trust, unpublished registration report. December 5, 2002.
• New Zealand Historic Places Trust. “William Turnbull”. Professional Biographies. accessed 10/05/2013,
• Wellington City Council. “5-9 Cable Street,” Wellington Heritage Building Inventory 2001: Non-Residential Buildings. Wellington City Council, 2001.
• Wellington City Archives: WCA – 00472_1_2-04
• Archives: Alexander Turnbull Library
• Archives: Negatives of the Evening Post newspaper. Ref: EP-6859-1/2-G.
• Archives: New Zealand Free Lance : Photographic prints and negatives. Ref: 1/2-099992-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand.

• Inventory Report
• 1932 plans

Not available