Maguire’s Building

McGuire’s Building, 168 Cuba Street, 170 Cuba Street, 172 Cuba Street

168-174 Cuba Street, Te Aro, Wellington
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Image: Charles Collins, 2014

Image: WCC - Charles Collins, 2014

Cityview GIS 2013
Cityview GIS 2013
Cuba Street elevation of the building, as designed by Thomas Turnbull and Son in 1900 (note the elegant proportions and detailing on the original verandah) (WC Archives 00053:65:4038)
Cuba Street elevation of the building, as designed by Thomas Turnbull and Son in 1900 (note the elegant proportions and detailing on the original verandah) (WC Archives 00053:65:4038)
The ground floor plan of the building, as designed by Thomas Turnbull and Son in 1900 (WC Archives 00053:65:4038)
The ground floor plan of the building, as designed by Thomas Turnbull and Son in 1900 (WC Archives 00053:65:4038)
Map

  • Constructed

    1900

  • Heritage Area

    Cuba Street Heritage Area

  • Architect(s)

    Thomas Turnbull and Son

  • Builder(s)

    Unknown

  • Designed by prominent Wellington architectural firm Thomas Turnbull and Son in 1900, this Edwardian Classical building retains a high level of architectural authenticity, and is notable for retaining most, if not all, of its original parapet and decorative finials.

    The building has historic value for its connection to several successful Wellington businessmen, and as a representative example of a commercial mixed use investment property built during the growth and development of Cuba Street in the Edwardian period.

    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 was designed by Thomas Turnbull and Son and built for Gilmer, McArdle and Maguire. The permit was issued in September 1900. The building was originally planned to house four narrow shops on the ground floor and four residential apartments on the two floors above.

      Hamilton Gilmer, Owen McArdle, and Allen Maguire purchased the land in 1899 and commissioned this property as an investment. This trio, all shareholders in the brewing firm Staples and Co., were described by the Free Lance as “constant companions” and “the three deep in conference, with hands thrust into their pockets, were a familiar sight on the Quay.” Their heirs owned the property until 1977 when it was sold to the Papageorgiou family who continue to own the building today (2012).

      Over the years the premises have been leased to a variety of tenants, including a fishmonger, watchmaker, jeweller, tailor, tea merchant, tea rooms, and grocer.

      Major alterations were made in 1989 when the building was earthquake-strengthened. This involved inserting three steel frames parallel to the street in the front, centre, and back of the building. Concrete columns were also inserted and the floors were braced with steel cross-bracing and ply on the underside, leaving the original floorboard intact. Various other modifications have been made to the building over time.

      Hamilton Gilmer

      Hamilton Gilmer was born in Ireland in 1838. In 1860 he travelled with four of his brothers to the Victorian goldfields. After a brief time there he sought his fortune in New Zealand, arriving at Gabriel’s Gully in Otago at the height of its fame. He then followed the rush to Hokitika on the West Coast and eventually settled to a business career in Greymouth where, with his brothers, he owned “Gilmers Hotel”. In 1881 he moved to Wellington which he saw as the future political and commercial centre of the nation. Gilmer was well known in business circles, with large brewery, property and hotel interests. He owned the Empire Hotel on Willis Street, and his brother Samuel owned the Royal Oak Hotel on Cuba Street. Among other positions he was the Managing Director of Staples Brewery and the Director of the Atlas Insurance Company. He was also the largest shareholder in the “New Zealand Times”. From 1907-1914 he was a member of the Legislative Council.

      Gilmer died at his residence on The Terrace in 1919. His funeral was attended by a large number of leading citizens, including the Mayor of Wellington, Mr JP Luke. His estate was valued at £300,000.

      Owen McArdle

      Owen McArdle was born in Ireland and immigrated to New Zealand in the 1870s. He joined his cousins, the Gilmers, on the West Coast where they were running the “Gilmer Hotel”. In subsequent years he was employed by the Staples Brewery as secretary, and was later the Wellington manager. He is known to have had an interest in other properties, such as the Alexandra Building (1905) which still stands at 175-179 Cuba Street, which he invested in with Andrew Wylie, a well-known lawyer. McArdle did not live long to experience the rewards of his property ventures, as he died suddenly of a heart attack in Masterton in 1908 where he was inspecting the new Empire Hotel Building with Hamilton Gilmer and Allen Maguire. His obituary noted he was a “very well-known citizen of Wellington”.

      Less is known of Allen Maguire. He was also one of the Directors of Staples and Co. At the time of his death in 1915 he was described him as “the well-known Wellington contractor” who “carried out many big works in Wellington, as well as works on the Midland Railway and in the Auckland District”.


    • Modifications close
      • 1900
      • Building constructed (00053:65:4038)
      • 1926 - 16817
      • 168, 170 and 172 Cuba – WCs (00056:24:B2452)
      • 1927
      • Additions to premises (00056:28:B2766)
      • 1930
      • Shop front alterations (00056:100:B9240)
      • 1932 - 168
      • – shop front (00056:128:B11599)
      • 1949
      • – alterations to bakehouse (00056:373:B28717)
      • 1954
      • Verandah (00056:476:B35933)
      • 1985
      • Refurbishment, office building (00059:0:D1705)
      • 1989
      • Business additions and alterations – strengthening (00059:327:E18458)
      • 1997
      • Café additions and alterations (00078:81:30452)
    • Occupation History close
      • unknown
      • Long-term tenants include:
      • 1910 - 1920
      • Nicholas Fernandos, fishmonger (168) (Stones 1910-11, 1915-16, 1920)
      • 1905 - 1925
      • Donald Gillies, watchmaker /jeweller (170) (Stones 1905, 1910-11, 1915-16, 1920, 1925)
      • 1905 - 1925
      • Osborne & Baker, tailors (172) (Stones 1905, 1910-11, 1915-16, 1920, 1925)
      • 1915 - 1940
      • Gamble & Creed, tea merchants & tea rooms (174) (Stones 1915-16, 1920, 1925, 1930, 1935, 1940)
      • 1930 - 1940
      • J.W Batten Ltd (170), pawnbrokers & jewellers (Stones 1930, 1935, 1940)
      • 1930 - 1935
      • Hill Bros Ltd, grocers (172) (Stones 1930, 1935)
      • 1935 - 1990
      • Wong Tong Fruiterers, later Cuba Fruit Mart (168-170 (Stones 1935, 1940, 1945, Wises 1950-51, 1955, 1961-62, 1967-68, 1971-72, 1975, 1980,1985,1990
      • 1950 - 1955
      • Briot & Sons, pawnbrokers (170) (Stones 1945, Wises 1950-51, 1955)
      • 1945 - 1951
      • Excelsior Cake Shop & Tea Rooms (late Gamble & Creed (174) (Stones 1945, Wises 1950-51)
      • 1950 - 1955
      • Walker's Umbrella Shop's Ltd (172) (Wises 1950-51, 1955)
      • 1961 - 1968
      • Empire Jewellers Empire Jewellers (Wises 1961-62, 1967-68)
      • 2012
      • 2012: Olive (from at least 1999)
      • unknown
      • Cuba Street Fruit Mart
  • close Architectural Information
    • Building Classification(s) close

      Not assessed

    • Architecture close

      The facade has been designed in a plain version of the Edwardian Classical style. It is regular and symmetrical, divided by plain pilasters into four shallow bays of three windows apiece. The only variation between floors lies in the treatment of the window heads: segmentally-arched on the first floor, round-arched on the second. Secondary pilasters flank each window, each with stylised capitals. A projecting cornice between floors is ornamented with five small triangular pediments. The building is capped by a heavy projecting cornice, and a parapet and finials. It has a comparatively wide frontage and the regular proportions of the facade, coupled with the restrained handling of ornament, make it an unobtrusive but decorative component of the Cuba Street townscape.

      The building retains a substantial amount of original shop-front, and is notable for retaining most, if not all, of its original parapet.

      The open spaces at the rear of the building remain much as they were when they were first built.

    • Materials close

      The construction is load-bearing brick masonry on concrete foundations and piles.

      Floor joists and internal partitions are timber.

    • Setting close

      The building is located on Cuba Street between Garrett Street and Vivian Street. Adjoining the building to the south, and completing the block to Vivian Street, is the substantial Watkins Building (1904) which is the largest Edwardian building in the southern part of Cuba Street – at a very tall four storeys. To the north of the building is a pair of rare two-storied Victorian 1870s timber buildings (no. 160 and no. 162-166), both outwardly in a state of fairly poor repair. The immediate area is predominantly low-rise and older in character, with the exception of two very large, modern buildings to the north. The building is close to the mid-point of the Cuba Street Heritage Area in a part of the precinct that retains a high concentration of heritage buildings. The narrowness of the streets means that broader views are not easily obtained.

  • close Cultural Value

    Designed by prominent Wellington architectural firm Thomas Turnbull and Son in 1900, this Edwardian Classical building retains a high level of architectural authenticity, and is notable for retaining most, if not all, of its original parapet and decorative finials.

    The building has historic value for its connection to several successful Wellington businessmen, and as a representative example of a commercial mixed use investment property built during the growth and development of Cuba Street in the Edwardian period.

    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?

        This building retains a high level of architectural authenticity, and is notable for retaining most, if not all, of its original parapet.

      • 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 is one of a group of Edwardian commercial buildings which make a positive contribution to the character of 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?

        The scale, materials and style of this building contribute to the townscape of Cuba Street.

    • Historic Value close

      • Association

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

        The building has historic value for its connection to several successful Wellington businessmen, and for its association with the prominent Wellington architects Thomas and William Turnbull.


      • Association

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

        The building also has historic value for its association with the strong growth and development of Cuba Street during the Edwardian period, which resulted in the building of many fine commercial buildings.

    • 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 façade of this building remains largely intact with a high level of original building fabric.

      • 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 for its contribution 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 on Cuba Street.

    • Local / Regional / National / International Importance close

      Not assessed

  • close Site Detail

    • District Plan Number

      16/85.1 (front facade - first floor and above)

    • Legal Description

      Pt Sec 151 Town of Wellington

    • Heritage New Zealand Listed

      2/ Historic Place 5365

    • Archaeological Site

      Central City NZAA R27/270

    • Current Uses

      unknown

    • Former Uses

      unknown

    • Has building been funded

      No

    • Funding Amount

      Not applicable

    • Earthquake Prone Status

      124 Notice

  • close Additional Information

Last updated: 10/17/2017 3:42:59 AM