L.T. Watkins Building

• 1904
• Original building construction
• 1922
• 176-186 Cuba Street, shop front alterations (00055:8:A779)
• 1928
• 176-186 Cuba Street, building alterations (00056:57:B5519)
• 1929
• 176-186 Cuba Street, alter building (00056:84:B7924)
• 1943
• 176-186 Cuba Street, reinstate building (00056:282:B22635)
• 1957
• 176-186 Cuba Street, lift well (00058:30:C1541)
• 1958
• 176-186 Cuba Street, shop alterations (00058:58:C2877)
• 1959
• 176-186 Cuba Street, building alterations (00058:111:C5404)
• 1964
• 176-186 Cuba Street, building alterations (00058:111:C5404)
• 1965
• 176-186 Cuba Street, building alterations shop (00058:409:C17495)
• 1966
• 176-186 Cuba Street, Verandah (00058:444:C19009)
• 2001
• Converted to apartments and retail space on ground floor

• 1905 - 1925
• Veitch and Allan, drapers (Stones1905,1910-11,1915- 16,1920,1925).
• 1930
• Listed as Watkin's Building Stones1930.
• 1930 - 1990
• L.T. Watkins Ltd, printers, publishers & publicity specialists (Stones1930, 1935,1940,1945, Wises 1950-51,1955,1961-62, 1967-68,1971-72,1975, 1980,1985,1990).
• 1930 - 1975
• Direct Mail Advertising Service (Stones1930, 1935, 1940,1945, Wises 1950-51, 1955,1961-62,1967-68, 1971-72,1975),
• 1935 - 1962
• Quality Furnishing Co (Stones 1935,1940, Wises1950-51, 1955,1961-62
• 1945 - 1955
• Kinder Gowns Ltd (Stones 1945,Wises 1950-51,1955,),
• 1955 - 1985
• Peerless Tie Factory, Peerless handkerchief Company (Wises 1955, 1961- 62, 1967-68,1971-72, 1975,1980,1985),
• 1961 - 1985
• The Hobb Coffee Bar (Wises1961-62, 1967-68,1971-72, 1975, 1980,1985),
• 1967 - 1975
• Newbold & Co, refrigeration & electrical engineers, shop (Wises1967-68,1971-72, 1975),
• 1980 - 1990
• Abel Traders, 2nd hand goods (Wises1980, 1985, 1990)
• 2000
• 2000- Building unit titled

Not assessed

The L.T. Watkins building is a tall four-storey utilitarian version of the prevalent Edwardian Classical style. The comparatively large area of windows to wall surface suggests that functional requirements such as good lighting of the interior took precedence over stylish considerations. The principal detail is concentrated, unusually, at the top floor with strong moulded architraves and keystones to the windows (set in alternating groups) above a dentilled cornice, all capped with a plain parapet.

The Classicism of the building is stripped and muted; there is an allusion to a giant order in the corner pilasters but there has been no attempt at capitals or other decorative or harmonising devices. The corner windows of the top storey have been recessed into segmental arches; all other windows are square headed, with metal glazing bars. This is the largest Edwardian commercial buildings in upper Cuba Street. It is located on a busy intersection and is a prominent feature in the local landscape and completes the block to Vivian Street.

The ground floor features an interesting mix of shop-fronts, the most notable is the eclectic design for ‘Midnight Espresso’ at 178 Cuba.

Load bearing Brick Masonry

Concrete foundations and piles

Cast Iron columns

Iron Joists

Timber floors

Metal glazing bars

This building is an important feature in the Cuba Street Heritage Area. It is the largest commercial Edwardian building on Cuba Street and located on a busy intersection. This building completes the block between Ghuznee and Vivian Streets, and is adjoined by the three storey McGuire building, a heavy set Victorian Classical masonry construction dating to 1900. Across Vivian Street is the dignified former National Bank building.

• 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 LT Watkin’s Building is a fine example of a large Edwardian warehouse/commercial building. The two street-facing facades are symmetrical, well-proportioned, and feature a restrained palette of Classical ornamentation. The eclectic shop-front at ‘Midnight Espresso’ is also notable for its contribution to the lively Cuba Street streetscape.

• 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 sited in the Cuba Street Heritage Area and makes a positive contribution 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 is the largest Edwardian commercial building on upper Cuba Street and is located on a prominent corner site. It adds visual interest to the streetscape and defines the end of the block between Ghuznee and Vivian Streets.

• 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 businesses, first Veitch and Allan for whom the building was constructed, and then L.T. Watkins, with whom it is primarily now associated.  

• 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 (including the LT Watkin’s Building).

• 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.

• 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.

• 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, despite modifications to the ground floor shop fronts and the conversion to apartments.

• Local Regional National International

  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 and its connections to two prominent Wellington Businesses.

• 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.

Not assessed

• Haughan, Laura. “Capital letters: revealing Wellington’s urban history through typographic remnants.” Unpublished Master’s Thesis, 2012. Accessed 24 July 2013,
• Kelly, Michael, and Russell Murray. Cuba Street Heritage Area Report. Wellington City Council: Unpublished report, prepared for Plan Change 48, 2006.
• Wellington City Council. Cuba Street Heritage Area spreadsheet (blocks 1-3). Wellington City Council: Unpublished report, prepared for Plan Change 48, 2006.
• Wellington City Council. Wellington Heritage Building Inventory 2001: Non-Residential Buildings. Wellington City Council, 2001.
• Page 8 Advertisements Column 1. Evening Post, 31 December 1900, Page 8
• THE BALLANCE MEMORIAL UNVEILING OF THE STATUE IN PARLIAMENTARY GROUNDS. Evening Post, 7 April 1897, Page 5; THE BALLANCE MEMORIAL. Press, 10 March 1894, Page 7
• Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 Evening Post, 23 May 1894, Page 4
• Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 Evening Post, 13 August 1896, Page 1
• Page 8 Advertisements Column 7Evening Post, 7 December 1897, Page 8
• Page 8 Advertisements Column 7 Evening Post, 25 January 1897, Page 8
• Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 Evening Post, 19 February 1898, Page 6
• 00055:8:A779
• 00056:57:B5519
• 00056:84:B7924
• 00056:282:B22635
• 00058:30:C1541
• 00058:58:C2877
• 00058:111:C5404
• 00058:354:C15228
• 00058:409:C17495
• 00058:444:C19009

• Inventory Report

Not available