Thorndon Fire Station (Former)

Fire Station Apartments, Pipitea Private School (Former), 12 Murphy Street

12-14 Murphy Street, Thorndon, Wellington
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Image: Charles Collins, 2015
Image: WCC - Charles Collins, 2015
Cityview GIS 2013
Cityview GIS 2013
c.1919 - Firemen of the Wellington Municipal Fire Brigade, Thorndon Fire Station, Wellington. Reffin, J H (Mrs), fl 1974 :Photographs relating to the Edmonds family and fire brigades. Ref: PAColl-4629-2. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/22725710

The fire station in c.1919 


National Library reference: Firemen of the Wellington Municipal Fire Brigade, Thorndon Fire Station, Wellington. Reffin, J H (Mrs), fl 1974 :Photographs relating to the Edmonds family and fire brigades. Ref: PAColl-4629-2. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/22725710

Map

  • Constructed

    1898

  • Architect(s)

    Clere, Fitzgerald & Richmond

  • Builder(s)

    Frederick de Jersey Clere

  • This much-modified two-storey timber house is a good example of a Victorian/Edwardian villa. Over the years, it’s been adapted for use from a single-storey secondary school to a fire station (1908), was moved in 1994, and reconfigured as apartments. Despite these alterations, it’s kept its design integrity.

    It is now one of a row of 19th century domestic-scale timber buildings that are typical of Thorndon, and which contribute to the area’s character. 

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  • close History
    • This much-altered and relocated domestic-scale building has had an interesting and relatively eventful history. It was originally designed as a single-storey private day-school in 1898 by prominent local architect F de J Clere. The first floor was added in c.1908 when it was adapted for use as a fire station. It was relocated in 1997 and converted into apartments. 

      The building was originally intended as a small, purpose designed, private secondary school designed by Frederick de Jersey Clere and built by Clark and Thompson. Known as the Pipitea Private School, the establishment was owned and led by Esther Baber and Beatrice Richmond until 1908 when it was purchased for use by the local fire service. 

      There were many fires in early Wellington history, mainly the result of the predominant use of timber for construction. Wellington’s first fire engines were run by insurance companies, but these often were directed only to fires in buildings insured by those companies. In the days before fire brigades, everyone in the city was expected to be a fire-fighter, with a Wellington City Council regulation that all citizens keep two buckets of water ready so that they could help in the event of a fire.  

      The first organised volunteer brigade – the Wellington Volunteer Fire Brigade – was established in 1865 and a second, rival brigade, the Central Volunteer Fire Brigade appeared in 1867. Following relatively poor success rates and inter-brigade hostility, it was decided in 1880 that municipalisation of the volunteer brigades was the best solution. The earliest central fire station was established in 1901, not far from the present site of the Michael Fowler Centre.

      A fire station had been established on Tinakori Road in 1878, possibly affiliated with the Wellington Volunteer Fire Brigade. In 1901 the fire station was moved to Pipitea Street. In 1907 the Council purchased land in Murphy Street for the purpose of a fire station, and a year later also purchased the land and buildings of the Pipitea Private School. Soon after, a tender was accepted to convert the school into a fire station, and this involved the addition of the top story. The architect of these changes is unknown, but the builder was T.J. Townshend of Wadestown. Control of the fire service had by then been transferred from local bodies to the newly-formed Fire Boards, which had been established in legislation in May 1907. 

      The Murphy Street Fire Station remained in use for 80 years, but with the construction of the new fire station on Thorndon Quay, the station and site became somewhat redundant. 

      By 1995 the station and the site had been disposed of by the Fire Service. It was sold into private ownership and plans were made to develop the building into apartments. As part of this development the building was moved directly across Murphy Street to its current position, and another apartment complex was constructed in its place. The former Fire Station Building was extensively altered in the conversion to apartments, particularly the interiors. The building has lost much of what distinguished it as a public building, and it now exhibits almost a purely domestic form.
    • Modifications close
      • 1898
      • Construction of the building as the Pipitea Private School (00053: 48: 3111)
      • 1899
      • Addition – Chimney Stack to boiler house. Applicant: Priddy and Muir. Owner: Baber and Richmond. Architect: Clere, Fitzgerald, Richmond
      • 1908
      • Conversion of Pipitea Private School to Thorndon Fire Station. Applicant: T.J. Townshend. Owner: Wellington City Council (00053: 148: 8219)
      • 1994
      • Relocation of building – Relocate and repile the Thorndon Fire House Owner: Loo and Moore. Applicant: Balanced Investments. Application value: $15,000 (00061: 34: 10973)
      • 1995
      • Additions and alterations – Fitout of firehouse to apartments Owner: Loo and Moore. Applicant: Spencer Holmes. Application value: $450, 000 (00061: 107: 13496)
    • Occupation History close
      • 1898 - 1908
      • Pipitea Private School
      • 1908 - c.1990
      • Thorndon Fire Station
      • 1994
      • Apartment building – many tenants
  • close Architectural Information
    • Building Classification(s) close

      Not assessed

    • Architecture close

      The building now known as the Fire Station Apartments is a typical late 19th century timber building, two-storeys high and clad in rusticated weatherboards. It faces straight onto Murphy Street and has a bay form with a wing coming forward on the left side, and a two-storey high verandah filling the recess on the right. The joinery consists of double-hung sash windows; the ground floor windows in the bay form the only feature of this building as they have shaped tops and a flared hood forming a shelter above them. The roof is low pitched and hipped, and is sheathed in corrugated iron.

      This building has undergone several significant changes in its life, accommodating at different times the rather disparate functions of a private school, a fire station, and now modern apartments. It has also been relocated across Murphy Street, where it now forms part of a group of similar timber 19th century buildings. For a relocated building it has remarkable streetscape value as part of a group of 19th century survivors in an area that is increasingly dominated by modern buildings.

    • Materials close

      Timber

      Corrugated Iron

    • Setting close

      Although this building has been moved from its original site, its setting has not been significantly negatively impacted upon. Immediately this building can be read in relation to its neighbour number 10 Murphy Street (Le Canard) which was most likely built around the turn of the century and is of a similar size and style, and constructed in similar materials. More widely this building relates well to the surviving 19th century timber buildings that are found in Thorndon – The Cook Islands High Commission, Old St. Pauls, The Thistle Inn, and Katherine Mansfield Birthplace being among them.

  • close Cultural Value

    12 – 14 Murphy Street is a much-modified two-storey timber house that is a good representative example of a Victorian/Edwardian villa. It has been adapted for use from a single-storey school, to a fire station, been relocated, and reconfigured as apartments. It is perhaps notable for its versatility, and for the integrity of its design – despite many alterations.

    This building is associated with two important elements of Wellington’s early history (as well as New Zealand in General): (1) early secondary education and (2) the Fire Service. This building is one of, if not the, oldest Fire Stations in Wellington and has important connections with the municipalisation of the Fire Service in Wellington.

    It has been relocated and is now one of a row of 19th century domestic scale timber buildings that are relatively typical of Thorndon, and which contribute to the character of the 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?

        12 – 14 Murphy Street is a much-modified two-storey timber house that is a good representative example of a Victorian/Edwardian villa. It has been adapted for use from a single-storey school, to a fire station, been relocated, and reconfigured as apartments. It is perhaps notable for its versatility, and for the integrity of its design – despite many alterations.

      • 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 was moved to the east side of Murphy Street and now forms part of a group of 19th century domestic scale buildings.

      • 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 one of a row of 19th century domestic scale timber buildings that are relatively typical of Thorndon, and which contribute to the character of the area.

    • Historic Value close

      • Association

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

        This building is associated with two important elements of Wellington’s early history (as well as New Zealand in General): (1) early secondary education and (2) the Fire Service. This building is one of, if not the, oldest Fire Stations in Wellington and has important connections with the municipalisation of the Fire Service in Wellington.

      • Association

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

        This building is associated with prominent New Zealand architect Frederick de Jersey Clere.

    • Scientific Value close

      • Archaeological

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

        This building, although constructed pre-1900, is no longer on its original site. It was moved from the site across the road that is now occupied by an apartment building. The archaeological value is unknown – but is located within Central City NZAA R27/270 and near to several sites of significance to Maori.

      • Technological

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

        The construction methods and materials used in this building are representative of its time. The building has some technical value because it demonstrates the adaptability of the timber villa.

    • 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 a sense of place and continuity in the Thorndon area. Although the building has been moved from its original site it is an element of an improved Murphy Street townscape and has significant local historic values.

    • 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 exterior of this building has had some modifications, primarily the removal of the large fire engine egress doors. The interior has been significantly modified to adapt it for use as apartments.

      • Representative

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

        The building is a pleasant timber framed ‘villa’ that has been adapted for many different uses.

      • Local/Regional/National/International

        Is the item important for any of the above characteristics at a local, regional, national, or international level?

        This is a historically important building for Wellington with some nationally important connections. Its original use as a private day school makes it an important link to the development of secondary education in Wellington. It has a long association with the fire service in Wellington and is one of the oldest fire service buildings in Wellington.

    • Local / Regional / National / International Importance close

      Not assessed

  • close Site Detail

    • District Plan Number

      18/ 225

    • Legal Description

      Lot 1 DP 80634

    • Heritage New Zealand Listed

      (Deficient Registration – Cat 2, Historic Place 1440)

    • Archaeological Site

      Building has been moved from original site – Archaeological value difficult to determine.

    • Current Uses

      unknown

    • Former Uses

      unknown

    • Has building been funded

      No

    • Funding Amount

      Not applicable

    • Earthquake Prone Status

      Not Earthquake Prone

  • close Additional Information

Last updated: 12/7/2016 11:49:39 PM