House

unknown

6 Stafford Street, Mount Victoria, Wellington
❰ ❱
Image: Charles Collins, 2015
Image: WCC - Charles Collins, 2015
CityView GIS 2013
CityView GIS 2013 
1982 This photograph shows the top half of a house that was formerly at 63 Abel Smith Street as it was being moved to a new location at 4 Stafford Street. The house at 6 Stafford Street can be seen at the far left of the picture. National Library reference: Top half of a house being moved into position in Stafford Street, Mount Victoria, Wellington - Photograph taken by Peter Avery. Further negatives of the Evening Post newspaper. Ref: EP/1982/0083/29. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/22712156
1982 This photograph shows the top half of a house that was formerly at 63 Abel Smith Street as it was being moved to a new location at 4 Stafford Street. The house at 6 Stafford Street can be seen at the far left of the picture. 


National Library reference: Top half of a house being moved into position in Stafford Street, Mount Victoria, Wellington - Photograph taken by Peter Avery. Further negatives of the Evening Post newspaper. Ref: EP/1982/0083/29. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/22712156

Map

  • Constructed

    c.1890 - c.1982

  • Architect(s)

    Guido Schwartz

  • Builder(s)

    F. Hunt

  • 6 Stafford Street is a good representative example of a two-storey villa and is notable for the exuberance of its detail and ornamentation.  

    This house was originally constructed as a private dwelling before being converted to a boarding house. Other than being associated with a murder/suicide in 1921, it has had an uneventful and representative history. 



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  • close History

    • 6 Stafford Street is a two storey villa that dates from the 1890s although it was relocated to this site in c.1982 by developers Burrell Wilkinson. It was part of a four-house development that involved the relocation of two houses from Abel Smith Street and one from Taranaki Street, and the refurbishment of one existing house on Stafford Street (possibly the corner house at 3 Port Street).

      The house at 6 Stafford Street was originally sited at 61 Abel Smith Street and was constructed in 1897 for the owner of Town Acre 98 Thomas Bloomfield Johnson. The residence was designed by G.G. Schwartz, and constructed by F. Hunt.

      It appears that the house was used as a private residence prior to conversion to a boarding house. In 1921 a murder/suicide took place in the garden of the house, which at the time was unoccupied. The house remained a boarding house until the late 1940s, when it was purchased by the Wellington Education Board for offices.

      Although the existing villa has only a 30 year relationship with this site it is clear that the land has been occupied by a house or cottage for at least 120 years, if not longer. The 1892 Thomas Ward survey map shows the outline of a house that was set well back from the street. This house was rebuilt in c.1909 and presumably demolished to make way for the relocated villa in c.1982.

      The houses at 3 Port Street, and 4, 4a & 6 Stafford Street are united by a simple set of railing, fence and gate details and these are likely to date from the 1982 relocation / refurbishment project. The fence at 6 Stafford Street was altered in c.1996 when the house was further refurbished and the internal partitions reconfigured.


    • Modifications close
      • 1897
      • Construction of 61 Abel Smith Street( 00053: 38: 2468)
      • 1899 - 1910
      • (00432:38:57); 6 Stafford Street
      • 1909
      • (00053:153:8481); Stafford Street [6 Stafford Street], re-erection of dwelling
      • 1981
      • (00058:1363:C57149); 6 Stafford Street, relocate
      • 1981
      • (00432:485:40987); 6 Stafford Street
      • 1982
      • 9072427 , Bldg Cons<500K, Adds and Alts, Site Address is 6 Stafford St, Completed
      • 1982 - 1989
      • (00001:252:6/2013); Building: 2, 4 and 6 Stafford Street
      • 1993
      • (00277:1007):1; Building: 6 Stafford Street: 83 Majoribanks Street: D Gascoigne / P Reddy / R Walker
      • 1993 - 1995
      • (00009:1414:36/7804)Pt 1; Subdivision, 6 Stafford Street, 83 Majoribanks Street, Lot 1 App 2085, Gascoigne, Preddy, Walker, Roading Drainage and Water
      • 1994
      • SR9602700 , RC - a Res.Con, Scheme Plan, BA For Unit Plan see app. 2699 (Supersedes 2085), Addr: 6 STAFFORD ST/83 MAJORIBANKS ST, Complete-Old System
      • 1996
      • SR23336 , RC - a Res.Con, additions to a Heritage Building; 00078:758:24793; 6 Stafford Street, dwelling additions and alterations
      • 2002
      • SR24793 , Bldg Cons<500K, Addition & Alteration To Existing House, Completed
    • Occupation History close
      • unknown
      • Not assessed
  • close Architectural Information
    • Building Classification(s) close

      Not assessed

    • Architecture close

      This two-storey relocated villa is notable for the elaborate timber ornamentation of its northeast street facade. The roof is hipped and the wide overhanging eaves are supported by decorative brackets. The projecting ‘bay’ at the street façade is topped by a small gable that sits above a pair of linked windows. The gable is finished with an elaborate barge detail which is finished with a long turned finial. The window heads are quite unusual and decorative, and they feature a ‘false’ arched head complete with timber keystone. The ‘true’ window head is an almost flat-arch, and the space between the two heads is filled with a decorative timber panel. The first floor windows sit directly above a large bay-window whose windows extend almost to floor level. The main entrance door is set behind a finely detailed porch, and a single window with a near-flat arched head sits directly above.

    • Materials close

      Timber rusticated weatherboards

      Timber structural framing

      Sash windows

      Timber panelled doors

    • Setting close

      The house is set in a quiet dead-end residential street in Mount Victoria. It is one of a row of re-located and refurbished houses.

  • close Cultural Value

    6 Stafford Street is a good representative example of a two-storey villa and is notable for the exuberance of its detail and ornamentation.

    This house was originally constructed as a private dwelling before being converted to a boarding house. Other than being associated with a murder/suicide in 1921, it has had an uneventful and representative history.

    • 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?

        6 Stafford Street is a good representative example of a two-storey villa and is notable for the exuberance of its detail and ornamentation.

      • 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 house contributes to the residential streetscape of Mount Victoria.

    • Historic Value close

      • Association

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

        This house was originally constructed as a private dwelling before being converted to a boarding house. Other than being associated with a murder/suicide in 1921, it has had an uneventful and representative history.

    • Scientific Value close

      • Archaeological

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

        Central City NZAA R27/270 – Archaeological sites likely to be disturbed (relocated building).

    • Social Value close

      Not assessed

    • Level of Cultural Heritage Significance close

      • Local Regional National International

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

        The house has local significance

      • Representative

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

        The house is a good representative example of a timber two-storey villa

    • Local / Regional / National / International Importance close

      Not assessed

  • close Site Detail

    • District Plan Number

      12/ 272

    • Legal Description

      LOT 2 DP 79182

    • Heritage New Zealand Listed

      None 2013

    • Archaeological Site

      Central City NZAA 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: 11/27/2017 10:38:32 PM