House

296 Tinakori Road, Thorndon, Wellington
❰ ❱
Image: Charles Collins, 2015

298 Tinakori Road (left) and 296 Tinakori Road (right). Image: WCC - Charles Collins, 2015

Cityview GIS 2013
Cityview GIS 2013
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  • Constructed

    1903

  • Heritage Area

    Thorndon Shopping Centre

  • Architect(s)

    Robert Roy Macgregor

  • Builder(s)

    Thomas Joseph McCarthy

  • The houses at 296 and 298 Tinakori Road are good examples of late Victorian domestic architecture that has been adapted to suit the narrow strips of land and steep topography upon which they are built. Their scale, form and decorative elements are all of architectural value.

    The buildings at 296-306 Tinakori Road derive much of their aesthetic value as a group of buildings constructed in a similar style and of a similar age that have had few intrusive modern additions or alterations. The repetition of scale, form and decorative elements contribute to the unity and cohesion of the streetscape.

    The buildings have remained on site with few intrusive modern alterations or additions for over 100 years and contribute to the identity, sense of place and continuity of the Thorndon Suburban Centre Heritage Area.

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  • close History

    • 296 and 298 Tinakori Road are two of a row of six houses designed and constructed in the first decade of the 20th century. The two central houses at 300 & 302 Tinakori Road were designed by Crichton & McKay for Mrs Blick and the houses at 296, 298, 304 and 306 Tinakori Road were designed by Rob Roy Macgregor for Thomas Joseph McCarthy, in 1902.

      Thorndon is known to have experienced pre 1900 human activity and was occupied by various Iwi in the years before European settlement. Tinakori Road in the 19th and early 20th century developed as a key transport route that linked the Hutt Road, lower and upper Thorndon, and the routes to the western suburbs of Northland and Karori. The street is known for its mix of large houses (generally to the north) and cottages (generally to the south), and as the location of Premier House at 260 Tinakori Road that was purchased by the Crown in 1865.

      The terrace of houses at 296 – 306 Tinakori Road all appear to have been built as speculative housing, and were generally designed to appeal to landlords and their working/ lower middle class tenants.  The location of the buildings must have had much appeal as the terrace is situated immediately adjacent to Thorndon’s main shopping area at the intersection of Ascot Terrace and Tinakori Road. Other local amenities include the Botanic Gardens that were substantially complete by 1900, and the tram route (c.1904) from Molesworth Street to the Botanic Gardens that later ran on to Karori. 

      Thomas McCarthy, was a carpenter who lived on Tinakori Road, and was the owner of the houses at 296 and 298 Tinakori Road. These two houses remained in single ownership until 1925 when they were sold separately by lawyers Brandon and Hislop, by then the owners of the property. The new owner of 296 was Samuel Freister. Like the other Tinakori Road properties that McCarthy built, the house has largely been tenanted rather than occupied by its owners, and shortly after its purchase by Freister, the house was divided into a series of flats, mostly leased by clerks, messengers, labourers and drivers. The last recorded major work to the building was re-piling in 1979.  The new owner of 298 was Henry Fairclough, who also lived in the building. Most if the 20th century occupants were listed as labourers. In 1977 real estate agent Graham Peters proposed a motel on the site of 10 houses, including this pair, but the plan did not proceed. A garage was built beneath the house in 1983. Some considerable alterations were made to the house in 1996.

      The two houses were designed and originally built as a matched pair and retain much of the original commonality today. Each is three storeys high (two full storeys and a basement), little more than a single room wide and long in plan, and they also sit a full storey above Tinakori Road and are set back slightly from the street with small front yards. The two houses are separated from each other by a narrow pathway that leads to each front door. They are simply designed houses with typical late Victorian cues. Each has a simple gabled roof facing the street (hipped at the western end), with decorative half timbering in the gable ends, large scrollwork gable brackets, and a distinctive two storey bay window – three sided and fitted with large double hung windows on each side and a pair – at each storey at the street front. The street facades are clad in rusticated weatherboards and the side walls in horizontal corrugated iron. The basements are low structures, and both appear to be tenanted. There is also a small lean to at the rear of each building.

      In 1965 work began on the construction of the motorway that cut through Thorndon, and this major arterial route changed the character of the northern end of Tinakori Road and the Bolton Street Cemetery.  A consequence of this change was the introduction of measures to protect the remaining older buildings in the area through the local authority’s district scheme that began in 1976, and parts of Thorndon soon became a “Residential ‘E’ Zone”, a “Character Area” in 1993, and the “Thorndon Suburban Centre Heritage Area” under DPC 75 and the “Thorndon Heritage Area” and “Thorndon Urban Conservation Area” under DPC 77.

      The houses from 296-306 Tinakori Road form part of the Thorndon Suburban Centre Heritage Area and are much photographed, sketched and painted. The buildings appear in many blogs,walking tour routes, and tourist information sites, and can be considered to make a strong contribution to the identity and sense of place of Thorndon. They also appear in Charles Fearnley’s “Vintage Wellington” (1970) where the author wrote in praise of the contribution the buildings make to the “unity and cohesion” of the streetscape.


    • Modifications close
      • 1979
      • No. 296 (00058:1237:C52787); 296 Tinakori Road, repile
      • 1983
      • No. 298 (00058:0:C64037); 298 Tinakori Road, garage
      • 1996
      • (00061:203:16432); 298 Tinakori Road, dwelling additions and alterations 1996
    • Occupation History close
      • unknown
      • (Only if known – check Heritage Area Spreadsheets PC 48 / Section 32 reports)
  • close Architectural Information
    • Building Classification(s) close

      Not assessed

    • Architecture close

      The two houses were designed and originally built as a matched pair. Each is three storeys high (two full storeys and a basement), little more than a single room wide and long in plan, they also sit a full storey above Tinakori Road and are set back slightly from the street with small front yards. The two houses are separated from each other by a narrow pathway that leads to each front door. They are simply designed houses with typical late Victorian cues. Each has a simple gabled roof facing the street (hipped at the western end), with decorative half timbering in the gable ends, large scrollwork gable brackets, and a distinctive two storey bay window – three sided and fitted with large double hung windows on each side and a pair – at each storey at the street front. The street facades are clad in rusticated weatherboards and the side walls in horizontal corrugated iron. The basements are low structures, and both appear to be tenanted. There is also a small lean to at the rear of each building.

    • Materials close
      Rusticated weatherboard
      Horizontal corrugated iron cladding  

    • Setting close

      The buildings at 296 and 298 Tinakori Road are part of a row of six tall and narrow houses that were built on adjacent sites in 1902. These houses are part of the Thorndon Suburban Centre Heritage Area that includes the shopping area around the intersection of Tinakori Road, Bowen Street and Glenmore Street. The streetscape is generally made up of two to three storey buildings built to the street edge. The buildings are generally old, and are constructed in a high density on small sections. 

  • close Cultural Value
    The houses at 296 and 298 Tinakori Road are good examples of late Victorian domestic architecture that has been adapted to suit the narrow strips of land and steep topography upon which they are built. Their scale, form and decorative elements are all of architectural value.

    The buildings at 296-306 Tinakori Road derive much of their aesthetic value as a group of buildings constructed in a similar style and of a similar age that have had few intrusive modern additions or alterations. The repetition of scale, form and decorative elements contribute to the unity and cohesion of the streetscape.

    The buildings have remained on site with few intrusive modern alterations or additions for over 100 years and contribute to the identity, sense of place and continuity of the Thorndon Suburban Centre Heritage 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?

        The houses at 296 and 298 Tinakori Road are good examples of late Victorian domestic architecture that has been adapted to suit the narrow strips of land and steep topography upon which they are built. Their scale, form and decorative elements are all of architectural 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?

        The buildings at 296-306 Tinakori Road derive much of their aesthetic value as a group of buildings constructed in a similar style and of a similar age that have had few intrusive modern additions or alterations. The repetition of scale, form and decorative elements contribute to the unity and cohesion of the streetscape.

      • 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?

        These buildings form part of a row of six houses of a similar age and style that make a strong contribution to the identity and sense of place of Thorndon. This can be inferred by the wide distribution of images of these houses in photographs, drawings and paintings, on websites, walking tour guides, and in books.

    • Historic Value close

      • Association

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

        The buildings have a typical historical association with the development of the southern end of Tinakori Road from an enclave of working/lower middle class dwellings that later became the part of the first precinct of old buildings to be identified for protection under the first WCC District Plan. 

    • Scientific Value close

      • Archaeological

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

        There is a high risk of accidental discovery of archaeological items on this site as the area is known to have been occupied by various Iwi pre – 1900. It is also part of the Central City NZAA R27/270 site. 

    • 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?

        The buildings have remained on site with few intrusive modern alterations or additions for over 100 years and contribute to the identity, sense of place and continuity of the Thorndon Suburban Centre Heritage Area. 

      • Public esteem

        Is the item held in high public esteem?

        296-306 Tinakori Road are a group of buildings that form part of the Thorndon “tourist trail”, and evidence of their popularity include the number of images (drawings, paintings and photographs) of the group that are available in pamphlets, books and online. 

    • Level of Cultural Heritage Significance close

      • Authentic

        296-306 Tinakori Road are a group of buildings that form part of the Thorndon “tourist trail”, and evidence of their popularity include the number of images (drawings, paintings and photographs) of the group that are available in pamphlets, books and online.

        296-306 Tinakori Road are a group of buildings that form part of the Thorndon “tourist trail”, and evidence of their popularity include the number of images (drawings, paintings and photographs) of the group that are available in pamphlets, books and online. 

      • Local Regional National International

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

        296 and 298 are locally important buildings that form part of a row of six houses of a similar age and style that make a strong contribution to the identity and sense of place of Thorndon.

      • Representative

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

        These houses are good representatives’ of late Victorian domestic architecture, constructed in typical materials and using techniques that were common in the period.  

    • Local / Regional / National / International Importance close

      Not assessed

  • close Site Detail

    • District Plan Number

      18/310.1

    • Legal Description

      Lot 2 DP 6821

    • Heritage New Zealand Listed

      Not Listed

    • Archaeological Site

      High Risk of accidental discovery Central City NZAA R27/270 The area known to have been occupied by various Iwi pre - 1900

    • Current Uses

      unknown

    • Former Uses

      unknown

    • Has building been funded

      No

    • Funding Amount

      Not applicable

    • Earthquake Prone Status

      Not Earthquake Prone

  • close Additional Information
    • Sources close
      • Fearnley, Charles. Vintage Wellington. Dunedin: John McIndoe Ltd, 1970.
      • Kelly, Michael. “Thorndon Suburban Centre Heritage Area: Tinakori Road” unpublished report compiled for WCC DPC 75. Kelly, Michael, “Thorndon History – timeline” unpublished WCC document for DPC 77
      • Miller, E D N, fl 1978. Houses lining Tinakori Road, Thorndon. Ref: 1/2-080664-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand.
      • The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District], (Wellington: The Cyclopedia Company, Limited, 1897)
      • Evening Post, 23 May 1894
      • Evening Post, 13 August 1896
      • Evening Post, 7 December 1897
      • Evening Post, 25 January 1897
      • Evening Post, 19 February 1898
      • Evening Post, 31 December 1900
      • MISERABLE McCARTHY. NZ Truth , 8 August 1908
      • THE BALLANCE MEMORIAL. Press, 10 March 1894
      • THE BALLANCE MEMORIAL UNVEILING OF THE STATUE IN PARLIAMENTARY GROUNDS. Evening Post, 7 April 1897
      • Lindsay Shelton, “Doing the right thing for Thorndon”, Wellington.scoop webpage updated 22 April 2009
      • “Location -Tinakori Road” Wotzon webpage accessed October 2012
      • Philip Beadle, “Tutti Frutti” accessed October 2012
      • “Prime Minister’s Residence: 260 Tinakori Road”, NZHPT website accessed October 2012
      • The Thorndon Society Incorporated’, Newsletter 27, 13 September 1977
      • “Walk 5 : Explore Wellington” WCC website accessed October 2012
      • 00053:86:4947; 296, 298, 304, 306 Tinakori Road, four dwellings 27 Aug 1902 No. 296
      • 00058:1237:C52787; 296 Tinakori Road, repile 13 Nov 1979 No. 298
      • 00058:0:C64037; 298 Tinakori Road, garage 22 Dec 1983
      • 00061:203:16432; 298 Tinakori Road, dwelling additions and alterations 1996
    • Technical Documentation close

      Not available

    • Footnotes close

      Not available

Last updated: 11/27/2017 10:57:08 PM