Nees Hardware Building (Former)

• 1900
• Construction (3894)
• 1955
• New verandah (B37496)
• 1959
• Strengthening work and addition to rear (C4614)
• 1961
• Addition to rear facing Leeds Street (C9734)
• 1993
• Seismic strengthening (SR 2893)
• 2000
• New balcony and verandah (SR 69085)
• 2001
• New mezzanine floor and alterations (SR 75006)
• 2002
• Internal fit out (SR 75006)
• 2004
• New Canopy/Verandah (SR 69085)
• 2005
• Balcony on top of existing verandah (SR 107967)
• 2005
• New balcony handrail and access door (SR 112805)
• 2007
• Removal of part existing ceiling to create a void between floors (ground & first) (SR 152565)
• 2011
• Separation of part of façade from adjacent buildings within Cuba Street Precinct for earthquake safety and heritage ($7,500 grant from WCC)

• unknown
• NB: Historically there was no 121 Cuba Street, the address was known as 119-123 Cuba, and Barber’s Building next door was 123a-125 Cuba.
• 1910 - 1911
• 119: Simon Edilson, fruiterer (Stones 1910-11) - Edilson constructed 173 Cuba Street
• 1910 - 1920
• 121: Deslandes & Lewis, printer Deslandes & Lewis, printer (Stones 1910-11, 1915-16, 1920.
• 1920 - 1935
• 119: Scott's Florists Scott's Florists (Stones , 1925, 1930,1935)
• 1925 - 1955
• 121: 1925-1955 Not listed 1925-55.
• 1940 - 1955
• 119: Paris Fur Company Paris Fur Company (Stones , 1945, Wises 1940, 1945, Wises1950-51, 1955)
• 1961 - 1985
• 119: Nees Hardware (Wises 1961-62, 1967-68, 1971-72, 1975, 1980, 1985,
• 1961 - 1962
• 119 and 123: From 1961-62 119-123 occupied by Nees Hardware.

Not assessed

This small commercial building carries a restrained late-Victorian/Edwardian Classical façade. The format is symmetrical with six plain pilasters on the first floor set between deeply recessed windows with round-headed arches. String courses below and above the windows ties the composition together, and the building is capped by a parapet featuring two recessed arched pediments. The ground floor is rusticated. The simplicity of this facade forms a pleasing contrast to the elaborate Classical facades of the buildings on either side.

The building is closely related in style to the nearby Toomath’s Building at 43-47 Ghuznee Street (1900-01), which has a similarly restrained palette of materials, decoration and detailing and was also designed by William Crichton.

The façade at 119-121 Cuba Street is now painted black and has a strong presence in the streetscape. Its verandah has been delicately converted to a balcony with a simple and thin steel railing which does not detract from the streetscape value of the building.

The construction is load-bearing brick masonry (English bond) on concrete foundations. A rolled iron girder was fixed in place over each shop front. All interior floor joists and roof beams are timber, and the roof is corrugated iron.

This building sits among a row of the most significant Edwardian commercial buildings on Cuba Street, including the Wellington Working Men’s Club, Barber’s Building and the Hotel Bristol.

The building’s immediate neighbour to the north is the Wellington Working Men’s Club. Its southern neighbour is Barber’s Building (also designed by Crichton).

The characteristic scale of the block is three tall stories, a level defined by the Wellington Working Men’s Club and reflected in the Farmers Building, Hotel Bristol, Barbers Building, and others. There are a number of two-storied buildings, including this building, no. 118 and no. 130; the tallest building on the block is no. 126 (occupied by the Friendly Bakery) at a high four stories.

• 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 two-storey masonry building has architectural value for its restrained Classical façade which remains largely intact, despite modifications and the addition of a balcony.

• 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 part of a significant group of late-Victorian and Edwardian commercial buildings on Cuba Street which contribute positively to the Cuba Street 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 townscape of Cuba Street. The block this building is on has the highest concentration of late-Victorian and Edwardian commercial buildings in Cuba Street.

• Association

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

  This building has historic value for its association with notable Wellington architect William Crichton and the long-standing retail outlet Nees Hardware. 

• Association

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

  This building is associated with the commercial growth and development of Cuba Street, which resulted in the building of many fine late-Victorian and Edwardian commercial buildings.

• 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.

• 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 is part of a group of historic commercial buildings on Cuba Street which contribute to the sense of place and continuity of the Cuba Street 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?

  The first floor façade of this building remains largely intact, despite modifications and the addition of a balcony.

• Local Regional National International

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

  This building is of local importance, as it contributes to the Cuba Street Heritage Area.

• Representative

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

  This building is a good representative example of late-Victorian Classical commercial architecture.

Not assessed

• “Crichton, William”, The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District], 1897. Accessed 18 June 2012.
• Wellington City Council, Cuba Street Heritage Area spreadsheet (blocks 1-3). (Wellington City Council: Unpublished report, prepared for Plan Change 48, 2006).
• Historic Places Trust, “Crichton, McKay & Haughton”, Professional Biographies. Accessed 18 June 2012.
• Michael Kelly and Russell Murray, Cuba Street Heritage Area Report. (Wellington City Council: Unpublished report, prepared for Plan Change 48, 2006), 34.
• Wellington City Council, “119-121 Cuba Street”, Wellington Heritage Building Inventory 2001: Non-Residential Buildings. (Wellington City Council, 2001), CUBA 12.
• William Crichton, “119-121 Cuba Street, two shops”, 11 June 1900, 00053:62:3894, Wellington City Archives.
• “119-121 Cuba Street, seismic upgrading”, 29 October 1993, 00060:77:2893, Wellington City Archives.
• “119-121 Cuba Street, additions”, 2000, 00078:1180:69085, Wellington City Archives.
• “119-121 Cuba Street, internal fitout”, 2001, 00078:796:75006, Wellington City Archives.
• “119 Cuba Street, office building alterations”, 00078:2438:152565, Wellington City Archives.
• Land Title Service, CT454/123, 454/124, 454/125, 454/126 & 802/53, C4614, C9734
• Newspapers: Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 146, 25 June 1929, Page 4

• Inventory Report
• 1900 plans

Not available