McKenzies Department Store (Former)

JR McKenzies

116 Cuba Street, Te Aro, Wellington
❰ ❱
Image: Charles Collins 2014

Image: WCC - Charles Collins 2014

Image: WCC November 2011
Image: WCC November 2011
Cityview GIS 2012
Cityview GIS 2012 
Evening Post, Volume XCIV, Issue 142, 13 December 1917, Page 4
Evening Post, Volume XCIV, Issue 142, 13 December 1917, Page 4
Map

  • Constructed

    1917

  • Heritage Area

    Cuba Street Heritage Area

  • Architect(s)

    Fletcher Construction Company Ltd

  • Builder(s)

    Fletcher Brothers Ltd.

  • This building is a simple stripped Classical commercial building that, despite some intrusive modern alterations, makes a positive contribution to the Cuba Street Heritage Area.

    Designed and built in 1917 by Fletcher Brothers, this building has historic significance as being one of the earliest buildings designed by the company.

    Built as a McKenzies department store, this building has historic value for its association with the JR McKenzie. McKenzies became a household name with branches throughout New Zealand. This building was once the company’s Head Office, but J.R. McKenzie is now better known for the work of his charitable trust.

    This building is part of a group of Edwardian commercial buildings on Cuba Street which contribute to the sense of place and continuity of the Cuba Street Heritage Area.


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  • close History

    • This building is the first purpose-built McKenzie’s department store in Wellington and the first building in Wellington to be designed and built by Fletcher Brothers Ltd. The permit was issued in February 1917, and the building was constructed for the department store chain owner John R McKenzie. The store occupied all three floors, with office accommodation at the rear of the first floor. This building was, at least for a time, the Head office of J.R. McKenzie.

      McKenzies stores were founded in 1905 in Melbourne by McKenzie and his sister Ella who opened a shop selling ‘fancy goods’. After establishing businesses in Melbourne, Tasmania, and Sydney, McKenzie relocated to New Zealand after visiting on holiday. The first McKenzies store was opened in Dunedin in 1910. A store in Christchurch followed, and a third in Wellington, in Willis Street, in 1912. Following a visit to America in 1928, where McKenzie had observed the development of the 'five and dime' department store, McKenzie changed the model of all 22 of his New Zealand stores to a similar basis. This new model became the pattern for much of New Zealand retailing.

      McKenzie believed that a firm should share its prosperity with those who had helped to make it prosperous. He set up various trusts and in 1949 was recognised for his contribution to public welfare when he was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. In 1980 the company was acquired by L. D. Nathan and Company. By this time McKenzies was a household name with more than 70 stores throughout New Zealand employing over 1,800 people. McKenzie’s interest in social justice continues through the work of the J.R McKenzie Trust.

      There is some confusion over exactly when the building ceased being a McKenzies store. John McKenzie owned the building until 1938. According to Stones Directory the building was a McKenzies store until at least 1945 after which time it moved next door to 114 Cuba Street. It may be possible that from 1938-1945 McKenzies only occupied the ground floor retail area of the building. From 1938 to the 1950s 116 Cuba Street is listed in directories as the head office and factory of De Luxe Shoe Company.

      Various modifications have been made to the building over time. Alterations were carried out in 1924 to designs by the architectural firm of Crichton, McKay and Haughton, which included a new roof and attic storey. In 1929 a three storey addition was made to the rear of the building, and in 1935 a single storey addition was made to the north of the building. In 1946 the parapet was strengthened. In 1959 there was a fire and the building was burnt out. Arthur Cornish purchased the property and commissioned a “three-storey structure surmounting a modernly-designed eight-shop arcade with a restaurant at the end” to be constructed on the site. The Architect was Stanley W. Fearn, and the builders were Upton and Shearer, Ltd. The upper floors were to contain offices, some of which were to be occupied by the head office staff of the group of retail companies Mr. Cornish directed. The building became known as ‘Normandie Arcade’ and is probably located to the west of the original 1917 building.

      In 1999 the 1935 single storey addition to the north of the building was demolished to make way for the Left Bank development. In 2011 the verandah (probably largely original) was removed from the Cuba Street façade of the building as it was leaking. At June 2012 this is yet to be replaced (see images in Appendix).

    • Modifications close
      • 1917
      • construction (10469)
      • 1924
      • new roof and attic storey (A2900)
      • 1929
      • three storey addition at rear (B7791)
      • 1930
      • 118 Cuba? verandah (B10519)]
      • 1935
      • single storey addition to right of building (B14435)
      • 1945
      • damage by earthquake (00009:2145:50/1054/403)
      • 1946
      • parapet strengthened (B24651)
      • 1959
      • building burnt out by fire (see Evening Post photos)
      • 1960
      • reinstatement (C7076)
      • 1961
      • mezzanine floor added (C9441)
      • 1962
      • office fit out, levels 1, 2 (00058:215:C9785)
      • 1992
      • business additions and alterations (00059:597:E26776)
      • unknown - 1998
      • refit levels 1, 2 (SR 44580)
      • 1999
      • single storey part demolished as part of Left Bank development (SR50837, SR57132) 1999 shop fit out (00078:516:57481)
      • 2006
      • shop alterations (00078:1882:140928)
    • Occupation History close
      • 1920 - 1945
      • John R. McKenzie, fancy goods depot (Stones 1920, 1925, 1930, 1935, 1940, 1945. NB: at 114 from 1950-51)
      • 1940 - 1955
      • De Luxe Shoe Company, head office and factory (Stones 1940, 1945, Wises 1950-51, 1955).
      • 1967 - 1985
      • In Wises 1967-68 a large number of occupants are listed, predominately company regional offices. The ground floor was occupied by retailers. The building is named 'Normandie Arcade' and the entries in Wises suggest it became an arcade of shops (see addition of mezzanine floor in 1961). This multiple occupancy did not last long - much reduced in Wises 1971-72, however it returns in Wises1985. By this period predominately retail.
  • close Architectural Information
    • Building Classification(s) close

      Not assessed

    • Architecture close

      This three-storey building has a simple Classical façade. It is framed on either side with pilasters that are rusticated on the first floor and plain on the second. The windows were altered, possibly in 1923, from a pattern of half-arches and multi-lights to the plain three-pane arrangement at present. The heavy projecting cornice carries stylised brackets and is capped by a segmental pediment carrying a flag pole. The letters “1917” have been moulded onto the centre of the pediment.

      The site is long and narrow and the building was converted at various times between 1961 and 1999 into a row of retail units with access from north. The single storey extension to the north of the building was removed to create a narrow lane known as the Left Bank in 1999 and the simple, functional, north wall of 116 Cuba Street is now exposed to view. The north wall is now the secondary elevation for 116 Cuba Street.

      The building has had some unfortunate modern alterations including the incongruous steel column that supports the masonry northeast corner of the building, and the column is, at best, a visually weak element. The shop-fronts are a rustic modern mix of unfinished timber and poorly detailed brickwork, particularly the non-traditional brick-on-edge sill. The building also currently features a half-constructed/demolished verandah that awaits resolution.

    • Materials close

      Construction is load-bearing brick masonry on reinforced concrete piles and foundations. Concrete piers along both main walls carried steel beams supporting timber floor and ceiling joists.

    • Setting close
      This building (no. 116) and its neighbour (no. 118) are a pair of Edwardian neo-Classical buildings. This pair of buildings makes a strong contribution to the architectural, streetscape and heritage values of the block. Next to no. 116 is the Left Bank – an extension to Cuba Mall.

      To the south of no. 118, the next pair of buildings are modern and do not contribute to the heritage or streetscape values of the block – the pastel-coloured concrete block former Hallensteins building, and the Tattoo City building which is distinctive only for its bright red paint. The tallest building on the block, adjoining Tattoo City, is no. 126, a tall four-storey building constructed in 1907. At the southern end of the block is the former Gear Meat building, constructed in 1896, now modified for apartments and featuring inappropriate balconies on the top floor. Both of these buildings make important contributions to the architectural, heritage and streetscape qualities of the block. 

  • close Cultural Value

    This building is a simple stripped Classical commercial building that, despite some intrusive modern alterations, makes a positive contribution to the Cuba Street Heritage Area.

    Designed and built in 1917 by Fletcher Brothers, this building has historic significance as being one of the earliest buildings designed by the company.

    Built as a McKenzies department store, this building has historic value for its association with the JR McKenzie. McKenzies became a household name with branches throughout New Zealand. This building was once the company’s Head Office, but J.R. McKenzie is now better known for the work of his charitable trust.

    This building is part of a group of Edwardian commercial buildings on Cuba Street which contribute to the sense of place and continuity of the Cuba Street Heritage Area.

    • 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 building is a simple stripped Classical commercial building that, despite some intrusive modern alterations, makes a positive contribution to the Cuba Street Heritage Area.

      • 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 can be read as one of a pair of Edwardian neo-Classical buildings along with its smaller and slightly more distinguished neighbour at 118 Cuba Street. This pair of buildings makes a positive contribution to the architectural, streetscape and heritage values of the block.

        This building is part of a group of Edwardian commercial buildings on Cuba Street which contributes positively to the Cuba Street Heritage Area.

    • Historic Value close

      • Association

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

        This building has significant historic value for its association with the original owner and occupant, JR McKenzie. McKenzies department stores became a household name with branches throughout New Zealand. This building was once the company’s Head Office, but J.R. McKenzie is now better known for the work of his charitable trust.

        This building also has historic significance as being one of the earliest buildings designed and built by the Fletcher Brothers.

    • Scientific Value close

      • Archaeological

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

        It is known that there has been pre-1900 human activity on the site; hence this site has potential archaeological value.


    • Social Value close

      • 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 Edwardian commercial buildings on Cuba Street which contribute to the sense of place and continuity of the Cuba Street Heritage Area.

    • 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?

        The building façade retains substantial areas of original building fabric, although there have been some intrusive modern alterations particularly the ground floor shop-fronts, the fenestration on the Cuba Street elevation, and the galvanised steel column that supports the northwest corner of the building. The original interior was probably damaged or destroyed in the 1959 fire. 

      • 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?

        The building is representative of the architecture and history found in Cuba Street. 

    • Local / Regional / National / International Importance close

      Not assessed

  • close Site Detail

    • District Plan Number

      16/ 79.1

    • Legal Description

      All DP 11063, Lot 1 DP 88146

    • Heritage New Zealand Listed

      7209

    • Archaeological Site

      None

    • Current Uses

      unknown

    • Former Uses

      unknown

    • Has building been funded

      Yes

    • Funding Amount

      $5,000.00

    • Funding Details

      July 2011 - Grant of $5,000 awarded to make canopy safe. Canopy was not safe and needed to be taken off.  Because of the history of the buildings the Body Corporate needs to have it restored.

      Funding Type: Seisimic Strengthening/Preservation/Other.

    • Earthquake Prone Status

      124 Notice

  • close Additional Information

Last updated: 10/10/2017 4:28:15 AM