Shop / Dwelling

Charcoal Chicken

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

Image: WCC - Charles Collins, 2014

Cityview GIS 2012
Cityview GIS 2012
Map

  • Constructed

    c.1889 - c.1890

  • Heritage Area

    Cuba Street Heritage Area

  • Architect(s)

    Unknown

  • Builder(s)

  • 290 Cuba Street is a good representative example of a turn of the century timber shop/dwelling. This building has architectural value due to the retention of original materials and most of the façade/shop front.

    The building is a local landmark that serves as a ‘gateway’ to the southern end of Cuba Street.

    This building contributes to the sense of continuity on Cuba Street due to the retention of its commercial uses, it is representative of the architecture and history of Cuba Street, and contributes to the character of the Cuba Street Heritage Area. 

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  • close History

    • This building has had a long history on Cuba Street, having been constructed before the turn of the century. This building occupies a prominent corner and is a well preserved survivor from the very beginning of the Edwardian era.

      It is known that there was a previous building on the site dating possibly to the 1870s and belonging to the Tonks family. It was demolished to make way for the building that is currently on the site.The architect and builder of this two-storey timber building are unknown. 290 Cuba Street first appears in the Wellington Rate Book of 1888/1889, where it is listed as land, £30, for William Bristow. In 1889/1890 it is listed as shop/dwelling £70.

      Following the Bristow occupation of the building, the Thawley family operated a grocery store in the building for over half a century. William Thawley began operating the store around the turn of the century, in 1912 naming the store ‘Thawley Brothers’. The store remained in the Thawley family under the supervision of James and Ernest Thawley who operated under the name of ‘Thawley and Son’ until the 1950s.

      The building has since been occupied by a number of different commercial shops although the upper floor remains a residence. The retail space is currently occupied by Li’s Charcoal Chicken and takeaways.

    • Modifications close
      • 1889 - 1890
      • Building Construction
      • 1922
      • Alterations to shop (00055:2:A190)
      • 1930
      • Alterations to shop (00056:113:B10288)
      • 1985
      • Partial repile (00059:0:D1232)
      • 1987
      • Convert building to coffee shop (00059:126:D7261)
      • 1992
      • Addition-sign (00040:11:E682607)
    • Occupation History close
      • 1891 - 1892
      • William Bristow, storekeeper (Stones 1891-92)
      • 1895 - 1896
      • Grant & Richards, storekeepers (Stones1895-96)
      • 1900 - 1905
      • William Thawley, storekeeper (Stones 1900, 1905)
      • 1910 - 1920
      • James and Enoch Thawley, storekeepers (Stones1910-11, 1915-16, 1920)
      • 1925 - 1951
      • Thawley and Son (James and Ernest)(Stones 1925, 1930, 1935, 1940, 1945, Wises 1950-51)
      • 1955
      • N.K Johns, grocer (Wises 1955)
      • 1961 - 1962
      • T.C Railton & Co, grocers (Wises1961-62)
      • 1967 - 1968
      • Kay & Co, grocers (Wises 1967-68)
      • 1971 - 1972
      • May Ltd, upholsterers (Wises 1971-72)
      • 1990
      • Capital Kitchens
  • close Architectural Information
    • Building Classification(s) close

      Not assessed

    • Architecture close

      The construction is standard for its time, a timber frame, clad in weatherboard and has a corrugated iron roof. The design is plain, so it is probable that the designer was also the builder. The building has boxed corners, the Cuba Street façade is capped by a wooden pediment, and has segmentally-arched double hung sash windows. The cornice is supported by brackets at the corners. The only decorative feature is a small cone at the centre of the parapet.

    • Materials close

      The building has a timber frame construction, clad in weatherboard, and has a corrugated iron roof. 

    • Setting close

      As a part of the Cuba Street Heritage Precinct, this building contributes to the diversity of building types and architectural styles which make up an integral part of Wellington’s historical continuity. The two storey shop/dwelling was once common in Cuba Street, and this building helps to illustrate this aspect of the history of Cuba Street. Sited on a prominent corner this building is a landmark and acts as one of the gateways into Cuba Street. This building can be read as a part of a small group of two storey light commercial buildings on Cuba Street and acts as a visual link to the relocated buildings in Tonks Grove, and to similar buildings elsewhere in the Cuba Street Heritage Area. This building also acts as a ‘gateway’ that marks the southern end of Cuba Street. 

  • close Cultural Value
    290 Cuba Street is a good representative example of a turn of the century timber shop/dwelling. This building has architectural value due to the retention of original materials and most of the façade/shop front.

    The building is a local landmark that serves as a ‘gateway’ to the southern end of Cuba Street.

    This building contributes to the sense of continuity on Cuba Street due to the retention of its commercial uses, it is representative of the architecture and history of Cuba Street, and contributes to the character 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?

        290 Cuba Street is a good representative example of a turn of the century timber shop/dwelling. This building has architectural value due to the retention of original materials and most of the façade/shop front.

      • 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 a part of a group of two storey commercial buildings found at the southern end of Cuba Street. The buildings are of a similar style, scale, and age and add to the heritage value 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 building is a local landmark that serves as a ‘gateway’ to the southern end of Cuba Street.

    • Historic Value close

      • Association

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

        This building is associated with the development and changes to the retail and commercial trade in Cuba Street. 

    • Scientific Value close

      • Archaeological

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

        Pre 1900 building and included in the NZAA Central City Archaeological Area R27/270  

    • 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 contributes to the sense of continuity on Cuba Street due to the retention of its commercial uses, it is representative of the architecture and history of Cuba Street, and contributes to the character 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 retention of original material and most of its original façade gives this building authenticity, as does the similar nature of its uses. It provides a visual link from the far upper end of Cuba Street to the buildings in and around Tonks Grove, and on Vivian Street. 

      • 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 due to its contributions to the Cuba Street Heritage Area. 


      • Representative

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

        This building is a representative example of a timber, two storey, 1880s commercial building. 

    • Local / Regional / National / International Importance close

      Not assessed

  • close Site Detail

    • District Plan Number

      16/92.8

    • Legal Description

      Lot 1 A Plan 1231

    • Heritage New Zealand Listed

      2/5347

    • Archaeological Site

      Pre 1900 building on site, evidence of pre 1900 human activity.

    • Current Uses

      unknown

    • Former Uses

      unknown

    • Has building been funded

      No

    • Funding Amount

      Not applicable

    • Earthquake Prone Status

      124 Notice

  • close Additional Information
    • Sources close
      • 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 6-7). 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.
      • 290 Cuba Street, ‘Alterations to shop’. 5 June 1922. 00055:2:A190. Wellington City Archives.
      • 290 Cuba Street, ‘Alterations to shop’. 29 October 1930. 00056:113:B10288. Wellington City Archives.
      • 290 Cuba Street, ‘Partial repile’. 12 August 1985. 00059:0:D1232. Wellington City Archives.
      • 290 Cuba Street, ‘Convert building to coffee shop’. 1987. 00059:126:D7261. Wellington City Archives.
      • 290 Cuba Street, ‘Addition-sign’. 11 February 1992. 00040:11:E682607. Wellington City Archives.
    • Technical Documentation close
    • Footnotes close

      Not available

Last updated: 10/17/2017 3:58:24 AM