Warehouse (Former)

• 1908
• Blair Street and Cambridge Terrace [9-11 Blair Street, 6-7 Cambridge Terrace], warehouses (00053:143:7953)
• 1956
• 6-7 Cambridge Terrace, building alterations (00056:539:B39868)
• 1967
• 6 Cambridge Terrace, building alterations (00058:490:C21124)
• 1968
• 6 Cambridge Terrace, building alterations – dockway (00058:563:C26833)
• 1975
• 6 Cambridge Terrace, building alterations - partitions on 1st and 2nd floor
• 1994
• 6 Cambridge Terrace, office partitioning (00060:162:5948)
• 2000
• 6 Cambridge Terrace, building (00078:1457:71371)
• 2001
• 6 Cambridge Terrace, wind canopy (00078:900:80881)
• 2002
• 292 Wakefield Street, 6 Cambridge Terrace, internal fit-out, level 5 and 6 (00078:1453:88532)

• 1910 - 1955
• Wellington Gas Co. Ltd (workshops) (Stones 1910-11 to 1945; Wises 1950-1 to 1955)
• 1961 - 1962
• Gualter & Co. Ltd. (wholesale importers & distributors china, crystal & earthenware) (Wises 1961-2)
• 1967 - 1990
• Coronet Displays Ltd., display equipment manufacturers (Wises 1967-8 to 1990).
• 1985 - 1995
• Rolle House; Rolle Associates Ltd. (Wises 1985 - 1990).
• 2000
• -present Youth Hostel Association

Not assessed

6 Cambridge Terrace is a good example of a simplified Stripped Classical warehouse building with some Classical ornamental features. This is a well proportioned building of three storeys made up of three bays divided by a Classical framework of tall pilasters. The central bay has three windows at both the second and third storey, while the two flanking bays are made up of two windows at second floor level and three windows at the third floor level. The façade is topped by a cornice and stepped parapet. The overall effect us that of an unornamented but nevertheless formal and symmetrical composition.

The aesthetic value of the building has been somewhat diminished by the addition of modern verandahs and a heavy-handed modern single-storey roof-top addition.

The structure, as shown on the drawings, consisted of concrete foundations supporting masonry walls, with concrete bands at floor and parapet levels. The floors were framed in timber and supported in cast iron columns, while heavy timber roof trusses with steel tie rods spanned the full width of the building. The interiors of this building were extensively altered in the conversion to the YHA backpackers.

6 Cambridge Terrace is one of a row of three heritage buildings that include the pleasant, symmetrical façade of the former Selwyn Hotel (WCC 16/51.2), and a smaller, two-storey (+ modern roof addition) Edwardian warehouse (WCC 16/51.3).

The heritage buildings are flanked by two modern buildings that act as ‘book-ends’ to the street block – the distinct, Brutalist, Hannah Playhouse to the south, and the dull modern YHA hotel building to the north.

• 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?

  6 Cambridge Terrace is a good example of a simplified Stripped Classical warehouse building with some Classical ornamental features. The aesthetic value of the building has been somewhat diminished by the addition of modern verandahs and a heavy-handed modern single-storey roof-top addition.

• 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?

  This building is one of two identical back-to-back warehouses that were designed for a local engineering company, and which are both located with the heritage area.

• 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 building contributes to the Courtenay Heritage Area.

• Association

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

  This building is associated with the early development of Courtenay Place and Blair and Allen Streets, and the commercial and economic growth of Wellington. The slum clearance and its replacement by Wellington’s produce markets in one new location - Blair and Allen Streets – showed remarkable vision and organisation by the government and local councils. That activity continued for over 80 years before it gave way to the expansion of the bar and restaurant district of Courtenay Place in the early 1990s, another significant era in the history of this area.

• Archaeological

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

  This building is included in the NZAA Central City archaeological area R27/270.

• 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?

  The building is part of a collection of historic buildings which contribute to the sense of place in the Courtenay Place Heritage Area.

• 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 a significant amount of original exterior fabric and retains authenticity of design and material, together with a high level of authenticity of setting. The interior has been significantly altered and the physical connection to its twin on Blair Street has been mostly lost.

• Representative

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

  This building is a good representative of a warehouse building influenced by the Classical architectural style. It has a good proportion and is built in materials that were commonly used during the period.

• Importance

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

  The building is of local importance as its architecture and history contributes to the overall historic and stylistic value of the Courtenay Place Heritage Precinct.

Not assessed

• Wellington City Archive
• 00078:1457:71371
• 00060:162:5948
• 00078:1453:88532
• 00078:900:80881
• 00058:979:C42936
• 00056:539:B39868
• 00053:143:7953
• 00058:563:C26833
• 00058:490:C21124
• Land Information New Zealand – Certificate of
• CTWN22A/963
• CTWN59A/512
• CTWN5C/143
• CTWN126/90
• CTWN318/112

• Inventory Report

Not available