Anscombe Flats

• 1937
• Residential apartments 00056:186:B16294
• 1940
• Additions and alterations 00056:249:B20679
• 1997
• Glass Balustrade to Penthouse SR36072
• 2000
• replacement aluminium windows and doors to conservatory SR 66228
• 2001
• External alterations to a heritage building SR76511
• 2007
• Reinstatement of conservatory roof SR67520 (& SR68857 2000)
• unknown
• Unknown Date: Replacement of original windows in aluminium.

Not assessed

Not assessed

The building is four storeys, one apartment per floor, with a penthouse above and basement parking / storage. The building is Moderne in style. Art Deco and Moderne styles had their origins in the 1925 Paris Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriel Modernes. Moderne is essentially a style of clean, geometric lines with minimal ornamentation usually in the form of abstract motifs derived from plant forms, sharply defined zigzags, chevrons and sunbursts set against plane surfaces and Anscombe Apartments epitomise this style in both form and detail.

The building’s form is essentially simple but its rounded corners, generous window area with window hoods, horizontal fluting and use of sculptural effect speak of Anscombe’s mastery of shape and form in the genre. The custom made curved glass corner windows were technically difficult to achieve and were (and still are) expensive to produce. This shows that Anscombe Flats is a very high quality building.

There are few decorative elements, the horizontal layered banding of the surfaces provides the principal articulation to the facades. This streamlined, horizontal emphasis also reflects the influence of the “International Style” of Modernism that in turn was influenced by ocean liners of the time.

The effect is more Moderne than Art Deco. The semi-circular sun-room at the front of the penthouse is a flamboyant gesture on the roof but wholly in keeping with the building’s style and a fitting cap to the whole.

Reinforced concrete: Foundations, walls, floors, lift shaft, stairs & chimney. External works including retaining walls and stair

Brick: chimney

Breeze block: partitions

Anscombe Flats is located on Oriental Terrace, a road which branches off from Oriental Parade in a south-westerly direction. The building has views over Oriental Bay and the wider Wellington harbour. The building is situated between two modern apartment complexes, with the complex on its north eastern side being of a greater height. Although there are a series of apartment complexes along the length of Oriental Parade, the elevation of Oriental Terrace means that Anscombe Flats is still visible when viewed from the far western end and mid northern section of Oriental Parade.

• 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?

  Built in 1937 this building is a fine example of a Moderne style apartment building. It contains features such as the curved glass windows which were considered a technical achievement for their time.

• 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 townscape value for its distinctive architecture which sets it apart from the surrounding modern apartments. It is also visible from some parts of Oriental Parade.

• Association

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

  The rise of the apartment building in Wellington began in the 1920s and the Oriental Bay area became a favoured location for such developments. Anscombe Flats was one of number built in the area during the first flush of development and its transformation continues to this day.

• Association

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

  The building is associated with Edmund Anscombe, an innovative and successful architect who embraced Moderne architecture and designed some of his best buildings in the idiom.

• Archaeological

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

  The building is located in the Central City archaeological site reference NZAA R27/270.

• 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?

  The building has had few intrusive modern alterations or additions and contributes to the sense of place and continuity of the Oriental Parade streetscape.

• 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 building has retained a significant amount of its original external fabric, therefore it has authenticity.

• Representative

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

  The building is a very good example of the Moderne style.

• Importance

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

  4.0References

Not assessed

• 'Characteristic House Types – Seven Basic Styles.' From An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand. Edited by A. H. McLintock. Originally published in 1966. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Updated 22-Apr-09. Accessed 1 October 2012
• Kelly, Michael. ‘212 Oriental Parade: Anscombe Flats.’ Unpublished report prepared for Wellington City Council. 2001.
• Accessed 4 September 2012.
• Archives: ‘212 Oriental Parade, residential apartments.’ 09 March 1937. 00056:186:B16294.
• Archives: ‘212 Oriental Parade, additions and alterations.’ 02 July 1940. 00056:249:B20679.
• Wellington City Council Records: CT 312/19. Land Information New Zealand.

• Inventory Report

Not available