The Anchorage

‘The Anchorage’

31 Patanga Crescent, Thorndon, Wellington
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Image: Charles Collins, 2015
Image: WCC - Charles Collins, 2015
Cityview GIS 2012
Cityview GIS 2012
Map

  • Constructed

    c.1890

  • Architect(s)

    Unknown

  • Builder(s)

  • This building has architectural value as a representative of a simple, two storey dwelling.  Its style, type of construction, and materials are representative of a typical good quality house of the day and the nautical features give this house added interest. 

    This house is associated with the Holm family and remained in the ownership of that family for almost a century. This house has had a modest and typical history for a residential dwelling in Wellington. It is associated with the early settlement of Thorndon. 

    This house has had few listed modifications made and retains a relatively authentic quality. It has authenticity of style, craftsmanship, materials, and setting. 


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  • close History

    • This large and stately home is a fine example of the kind of home that was constructed for the middle and upper classes during the later parts of the nineteenth century. ‘The Anchorage’ is found in Thorndon, one of Wellington, and New Zealand’s, oldest residential suburbs. The suburb has difficult and steep topography, and as such the architecture and streetscapes that are found are not common to other suburban areas in New Zealand. The social divisions of the nineteenth century are clear in the differences between the small and utilitarian workers dwellings and the large villas of the wealthy. This division, the materials, design, and scale of the surviving houses in this area give an important insight into how the people of early Wellington lived and worked.

      ‘The Anchorage’ is a large two storey colonial family home. The house was constructed for Alfred Boardman who had acquired the land in 1894. The house was sold to the Holm family in 1897. Mr F. Holm was the founder of the Holm Shipping Company and owned shares in the Maoriland Steamship Company. The Holm family remained the owners of this house until 1979, making additions to the house in 1932, constructing a garage in 1934, and reinstating the laundry in 1954. In 1979 the house was sold to T. Burton, who had the house repiled that same year.

      The house has had some alterations made it retains its original character. The house features a grand staircase and a circular brass port hole window between the original kitchen and gentlemen’s parlour (now a dining room and bedrooms). The house has been designed in a simplified Victorian Italianate style in rusticated timber weatherboards, with timber joinery, and corrugated iron roofing and it maintains a high level of authenticity of materials, craftsmanship, and detailing. It also features a number of nautical elements that are associated with the Holm family, and until the 1990s the figurehead of a Holm Line Ship rested in the garden, this is now preserved at the Wellington Museum of City and Sea.    



    • Modifications close
      • 1890
      • Original construction
      • 1932
      • 31 Patanga Crescent, remove building and erect wall (00056:128:B11593)
      • 1932
      • 31 Patanga Crescent, addition to dwelling (00056:133:B12070)
      • 1934
      • 31 Patanga Crescent, garage (00056:144:B13005)
      • 1959
      • Unit 1-5, 31 Patanga Crescent, laundry reinstatement (00058:116:C5628)
      • 1979
      • Unit 1-5, 31 Patanga Crescent, repile (00058:1198:C51415)
    • Occupation History close
      • unknown
      • Not assessed
  • close Architectural Information
    • Building Classification(s) close

      Not assessed

    • Architecture close

      The house has been designed in a simplified Victorian Italianate style in rusticated timber weatherboards, with timber joinery, and corrugated iron roofing and it maintains a high level of authenticity of materials, craftsmanship, and detailing. It also features a number of nautical elements.

    • Materials close
      Rusticated timber weatherboard
      Timber joinery
      Corrugated iron roofing

    • Setting close

      ‘The Anchorage’ is located in Thorndon and is closely associated with the early settlement of the area. The house is difficult to see from the street as it is obscured by large Pohutakawa trees.


  • close Cultural Value
    This building has architectural value as a representative of a simple, two storey dwelling.  Its style, type of construction, and materials are representative of a typical good quality house of the day and the nautical features give this house added interest. 

    This house is associated with the Holm family and remained in the ownership of that family for almost a century. This house has had a modest and typical history for a residential dwelling in Wellington. It is associated with the early settlement of Thorndon. 

    This house has had few listed modifications made and retains a relatively authentic quality. It has authenticity of style, craftsmanship, materials, and setting. 


    • Aesthetic Value close

      • Archaeological

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

        This house was constructed pre 1900 so is of archaeological value.

      • 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?

      • 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 has townscape value due to its position with the other houses in Thorndon. 

    • Historic Value close

      • Association

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

        This house is associated with the Holm family and remained in the ownership of that family for almost a century.

      • Association

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

        This house has had a modest and typical history for a residential dwelling in Wellington. It is associated with the early settlement of Thorndon. 

    • Scientific Value close

      • Archaeological

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

        This house was constructed pre 1900 so is of archaeological value.

    • 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 is an important part of the local community and makes a contribution to the wider setting of Thorndon. It contributes significantly to the sense of place and continuity in the Thorndon 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?

        This house has had few listed modifications made and retains a relatively authentic quality. It has authenticity of style, craftsmanship, materials, and setting. 

      • Local Regional National International

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

        This house is locally significant for its architectural, townscape, and group values, its historic associations, its archaeological and technical values, and its authenticity.

      • Representative

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

        This house is a good representative of a two storey building built in materials and using techniques common to the period. It has had a modest and representative history for a residential building.  

    • Local / Regional / National / International Importance close

      Not assessed

  • close Site Detail

    • District Plan Number

      17/248

    • Legal Description

      Lot 2 DP 7689 – 1/6 SH in 116 Being PT Lot 9 DP 641, ½ SH in 298 M2 Being PT Lot 9 DP 641 – SUBJ TO & INT INROW

    • Heritage New Zealand Listed

      Not Listed

    • Archaeological Site

      Pre 1900 Building

    • 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: 11/27/2017 1:58:49 AM