House

294 Oriental Parade, Oriental Bay, Wellington
❰ ❱
Image: Charles Collins, 2015
Image: WCC - Charles Collins, 2015
Extent: Cityview GIS 2013
Extent: Cityview GIS 2013 
Map

  • Constructed

    1890 - 1911

  • Architect(s)

    Henry Eli White

  • Builder(s)

    Henry Eli White (additions)

  • The house has some architectural value as it is a rare example of the domestic work of Henry Eli White. The house is an interesting hybrid of styles, making it a unique feature amongst the contrasting residential buildings of Oriental Parade.

    The historical significance of this building is associated with its ownership by John Fuller and as an example of the domestic work of Henry Eli White.

    This house is of high townscape value, contributing visual interest to the streetscape. It is visible from both directions around the bay, adding its own presence to the eclectic mix that makes the bay architecturally interesting.

  • Downloadable(s)

    Download this content as PDF

  • close History

    • The house at 294 Oriental Parade is a rare example of the domestic work of Henry Eli White and its historical significance is substantially associated with the nine years that it was in the ownership of John Fuller. These two men are largely responsible for the appearance of the house today.

      The exact date of the construction of this house is not known, it seems likely that the present house was in place by the early 1890s. In 1894 the property was owned by Maria Thurkill. Upon her death in 1905, the house was inherited by her three children; Fred and William sold their share to Ann Thirkell. In 1911 Ann Thirkell subdivided the land in two, and sold both sections; the portion that contains the present house was sold to John Fuller.

      John Fuller (1879-1959), theatre proprietor and impresario, was born in Australia and joined the family company. He first came to Wellington in 1894 and stayed until 1916. During that period he oversaw the construction of the company’s biggest contribution to Wellington – the St James Theatre (1912). Fuller was also a Wellington city councillor from 1911-1916. Fullers went on to merge with Hayward’s, forming the largest cinema chain in New Zealand. The architect of the St James, Henry Eli White, was at this time one of Australasia’s most successful theatre designer and did a lot of work for Fuller’s. He designed the major additions and alterations to John Fuller’s new house.

      Fuller did not sell the house until 1920. The new owners were Tudor Boddam, a police detective, and his wife Lydia, in whose name the house was registered. After occupying the house for a few years the Boddams let the house to tenants. In 1942 the Boddams sold the house to Gertrude Mirams. In 1951 a permit was granted to convert the house into two flats. Upon Mirams’ death in 1955 the house passed to Gladys Godfrey, who died in 1967 and in 1970 John and William Mirams inherited the house. They immediately sold to Elaine Hollis. In 1976 Denis Foot, lawyer and former Wellington City Councillor purchased the house, and he remains the owner.

    • Modifications close
      • c.1890 - 1911
      • Construction and additions
      • 1951
      • 294 Oriental Parade, conversion of dwelling to two flats (00056:405:B31150)
      • 1954
      • 294 Oriental Parade, additions and alterations (00056:485:B36488)
      • 1954
      • 294 Oriental Parade, flat additions and alterations - dormer window, top flat (00058:1272:C53937)
      • 2005
      • 294 Oriental Parade, new dwelling (00078:3918:124947)
    • Occupation History close
      • unknown
      • Not assessed
  • close Architectural Information
    • Building Classification(s) close

      Not assessed

    • Architecture close

      This house is a hybrid of a number of styles – including Californian Bungalow, Queen Anne, and Dutch Revival. The hipped gable roof forms, in effect, an A-frame of the upper storey, with wide eaves and a bay of three casement windows much larger than their counterparts below. Two doors sit astride the bay. All is connected by a balcony that runs the length of the frontage. Below, a curved bay of five vertical casements is asymmetrically balanced by the door and a grouping of three similar casements which project to the line of the posts supporting the balcony. The lower floor has much of the language of the balcony, but the roof is not consistent. The upper floor window, while making reference to those below, appears as a later addition. In the early 1950s the upper floor was reorganised internally to accommodate flats. The original billiard room was converted into two bedrooms, a kitchen and a dinette, although the original principal bedroom remained largely intact. A dormer window was added to the side to provide light to the dinette. The ground floor was also adjusted to accommodate this new function. More recently the building has been returned to one dwelling, but not to its original configuration.

    • Materials close

      Rusticated weatherboards

      Timber joinery

      Corrugated iron roof

    • Setting close

      This house is situated on Oriental Parade and has very high aesthetic significance as one of a group of period buildings that define the sweep of Oriental Parade, where the combination of harbour and city views, sea-walls, and promenade, with bush clad hills behind and a number of high quality residences in the area create an attractive setting.

  • close Cultural Value

    The house has some architectural value as it is a rare example of the domestic work of Henry Eli White. The house is an interesting hybrid of styles, making it a unique feature amongst the contrasting residential buildings of Oriental Parade.

    The historical significance of this building is associated with its ownership by John Fuller and as an example of the domestic work of Henry Eli White.

    This house is of high townscape value, contributing visual interest to the streetscape. It is visible from both directions around the bay, adding its own presence to the eclectic mix that makes the bay architecturally interesting.

    • 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?

        The house has some architectural value as it is a rare example of the domestic work of Henry Eli White. The house is an interesting hybrid of styles, making it a unique feature amongst the contrasting residential buildings of Oriental Parade.

      • 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 one of a group of period buildings that define the sweep of Oriental Parade, contributing to a group of high quality residential buildings of different periods.

      • 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 house is of high townscape value, contributing visual interest to the streetscape. It is visible from both directions around the bay, adding its own presence to the eclectic mix that makes the bay architecturally interesting.

    • Historic Value close

      • Association

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

        The historical significance of this building is associated with its ownership by John Fuller and as an example of the domestic work of Henry Eli White.

    • Scientific Value close

      • Archaeological

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

        This house is included 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 house contributes to the sense of place and continuity on Oriental Parade due to the retention of its original features and its long standing place on the street.

    • 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?

        This house has a high level of authenticity in its exterior form and detail.

      • Rare

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

        This house is a rare example of domestic work associated with Henry Eli White. It is an eclectic mixture of styles that come together to create a distinctive and pleasing composition.

      • Importance

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

        This house is of local significance for its historical associations, its contribution to the townscape, its exterior authenticity, and the place that it holds in an important group of period buildings on Oriental Parade.

    • Local / Regional / National / International Importance close

      Not assessed

  • close Site Detail

    • District Plan Number

      12/ 243

    • Legal Description

      Pt Lot 9 DP 653

    • Heritage New Zealand Listed

      2/Historic Place 2897

    • Archaeological Site

      NZAA Central City Archaeological Area R27/270

    • Current Uses

      unknown

    • Former Uses

      unknown

    • Has building been funded

      No

    • Funding Amount

      Not applicable

    • Earthquake Prone Status

      Outside Earthquake Prone Policy

  • close Additional Information

Last updated: 11/23/2016 9:15:16 PM