Edwards’ Building

• 1907
• Building constructed (00053:137:7675)
• 1918
• Alterations to dwelling. (00053:194:10656)
• 1940
• Alteration-erection of neon signage. (00056:244:B20336)
• 1954
• Additions. (00056:494:B37114).
• 1978
• Additions and alterations to building- partitions, recreation room for gymnasium. (00058:1136:C49074)
• 1992
• Refurbishment. (00059:535:E25002)
• 1994
• New signage. (00060:7:287)
• 1995
• Unidentified alteration. (00061:303:14701).
• 1996
• Unidentified alteration. (00061:313:16217)
• 2003
• Grille Roller Door inserted, bay window and door opening removed. Alterations to shop front, glazed frontage and frameless glass doors installed. (00078:1102:102827).
• 2004
• Fit-out of new business ‘Cosmic Corner’. (00078:1365:119596).

• 1907 - 2012
• The building was occupied by Edwards until his death in 1917, when ownership was transferred to his widow Ellen, and his son Henry. The building then went through a series of owners and leaseholders The building was occupied by Edwards until his death in 1917, when ownership was transferred to his widow Ellen, and his son Henry. The building then went through a series of owners and leaseholders (see 1.3 Ownership History. Since 2004 the ground floor retail space has been used as the premises for ‘Cosmic Corner’. Various residential tenants in apartments on upper levels.

Not assessed

131 Manners Street was originally constructed as a retail and manufacturing premises on a busy inner city site. The building runs alongside Lukes Lane and the main elevation of the building faces towards Manners Street. This reveals a three storey Edwardian commercial building with a well proportioned façade that features some spare classical detailing. The plain styling of the façade has remained largely unaltered. The building features three square-headed sash windows on each floor giving this narrow building a pronounced vertical emphasis, which is only slightly modified by the cornice between the second and third floors. This cornice, supported by brackets, serves as a shallow plinth for the Ionic pilasters on the floor above, which are paired at the corners. The building is capped by a simple entablature with dentils and a balustraded parapet.

The shop-front and veranda have been remodelled, the latest being the installation of a glazed frontage and frameless glass doors set in an aluminium frame.

The Edwards’ Building is a rare example of a purpose built Edwardian manufacturing/retail premises particularly due to the retention of it’s original parapet.

The construction of this building is load bearing brick masonry on concrete foundations and piles. Three steel girders on each floor carry timber floor members, and a central steel girder supports timber roof trusses which are arranged in a ‘butterfly’ system with a central gutter.

The building at 131 Manners Street is set on the principal pedestrian zone of Manners Street, in the vicinity of a number of interesting and important heritage features that extend from Manners street through Te Aro Park (formerly Pigeon Park). The Edwardian building contributes to the diverse character of the area primarily through its role in defining the built northern edge of Te Aro Park, a role which complements the similarly defining role of the State Opera House. The townscape value that the Edwards’ building contributes can be best viewed from Te Aro Park. 

The park is significant in its own right, with water flowing through several ponds symbolising the flow of the Waimapihi stream, names of significant ancestors, settlements, sites, and landscapes printed on the tiles. There are also painted figures on the pond tiles suggestive of women while the upright prow at the apex of the park stands for male life force. Viewed from the park, the Edwards’ building can be seen as complementing the State Opera House (109-117 Manners Street). Built in 1914 the State Opera House has significant value as a representation of a more grandiose example of Edwardian architecture with Classical and Baroque elements. The unique asymmetrical design and high level of authenticity of the Opera House make this building highly significant.

The Edwards’ Building is located near to the Courtenay Place precinct as well as the Cuba Street Heritage Area where several commercial Edwardian buildings are also seen.

• 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?

  131 Manners Street has architectural value as it is a now rare example of a purpose built Edwardian manufacturing/retail premises. The façade has been largely unaltered and the retention of the original balustraded parapet contributes to the high level of authenticity of the exterior of the building.

• 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 has some townscape value for the role that it plays in defining the built edge of Te Aro Park and in relation to the State Opera House. It also contributes to the diverse character of the area.

• Association

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

  This building is associated with the development of Wellington during the Edwardian period and is a good example of a purpose built manufacturing/retail business of the time. It was designed for the manufacture and selling of shoes and remained a leather-goods manufacturing business for several years after the death of the original owner.

• Association

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

  This building has historic value for its association with architects Crichton and McKay.

• Archaeological

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

  Possible archaeological value due to there having been a previous building on the site (prior to 1907) as well as the association with the Te Aro Pa area and pre 1900 Maori activity.

• Technological

  Does the item have technological value for its innovative or important construction methods or use of materials?

  There is some technical value in the relatively undisturbed masonry and timber structures of the building.

• 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 a sense of continuity throughout the Wellington townscape, particularly its connection to the Cuba Street Edwardian buildings and 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?

  This building maintains a high level of authenticity and integrity as the façade has remained largely unaltered since its construction.

• Rare

  Is the item rare, unique, unusual, seminal, influential, or outstanding?

  The retention of the original balustraded parapet contributes to the significance of this building as it is a rare feature in an Edwardian building in Wellington.

• Representative

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

  This building is a representative example of an Edwardian building with some classical aspects. It is also representative of Edwardian architecture that can be found throughout the city.

• Importance

  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 the contribution that it makes to the historic nature of the Manners Street area, its connection with Edwardian architecture elsewhere in the city, and the high level of authenticity of the exterior façade.

Not assessed

• Alexander Turnbull Library. Plans-93-0266.
• ‘Antecedents’, Bulleyment Fortune accessed July 2012
• Brodie, Antonia (Ed). “McKay, James Hector”. In Directory of British Architects 1834-1914 (L-Z) Volume 2. Continuum International Publishing Group, 2001.
• ‘Crichton, McKay & Haughton - Architectural Partnership’ accessed September 2012.
• Cyclopedia Co. Ltd. “Crichton, William.” In The Cyclopedia of New Zealand: Wellington Provincial District. Wellington: The Cyclopedia Company Limited, 1897. Accessed September 27 2012.
• Dictionary of Scottish Architects, “James Hector McKay”, accessed 27 September 2012
• McCormick, Eric Hall (Editor), ‘The Spike or Victoria College Review June 1930’
• Wellington City Council. “131 Manners Street, Edward Building”. Wellington Heritage Building Inventory 2001: MANN3. Wellington City Council, 2001, MANN3,
• Archives: 00053-133-7483 Wellington City Archive
• 00053-135-7675 Wellington City Archive
• Wellington City Council Records
• Permit OC 7675. Wellington City Council Archives.
• Wellington City Council Records
• “Heritage Building- 131 Manners Street”. 1995. 1014-06-MAN131, Wellington City Records.

• Inventory Report
• 1902 specifications and drawings

Not available