Shed 21

• 1910
• Building constructed (AC016:3:158)
• 1910
• Floors asphalted (AC016:3:159)
• 2001
• Converted to apartments (00078:890:78202, 00078:893:79134, 00078:1017:80550, 00078:1019:82325)
• 2006
• Office building alterations (00078:2191:147897 and 00078:2363:152249)

Not assessed

Not assessed

Shed 21 is a solid and functional Edwardian industrial warehouse which reflects the high standard of building which the Harbour Board has always tried to maintain along street frontages.

Built of sturdy red brick and masonry with a steel framed glazed saw tooth roof, the charm of Shed 21 lies in the fine use of brickwork to embellish an otherwise plain and functional building facade. The Waterloo Quay façade holds additional ornamentation and detailing, as does the northern façade with the apse. The remaining facades are slightly simpler in detail.

Special features include circular headed windows and concrete lintels over the railway and accumulator tower doors. A gallery was subsequently built around the two sides.

Red brick, with an upper floor of timber on heavy steel beams supported on concrete columns.

Shed 21 is a key element at the northern end of Lambton Harbour and is also important to the townscape of the area surrounding the Railway Station.

The space between Pipitea Wharf and Ferry Wharf, known as “CentrePort”, “comprises four finger wharves of various sizes, as well as Kings Wharf whose northern berth has been absorbed into the Thorndon Container Terminal as has the whole of Pipitea Wharf. Kings, Glasgow, Railway, Wool Jetty and the ferry wharves were constructed between 1880 and 1923, and all except Pipitea were built in timber. Strait Shipping operates its two passenger ferries from Kings Wharf. The area adjacent to the wharf to the north is currently used for cold storage facilities and still has an operating berth.”

“There are still a number of early WHB and wharf buildings in this area, including Shed 35, Kings Wharf Office (Former), and Shed 21 which are all constructed in brick, and the Eastbourne Ferry and Borough Council Offices (Former) which is constructed in timber. These buildings are interspersed with new commercial buildings that have been constructed in the last decade and which have no commercial relationship with the port. The recent developments and demolition of older wharf buildings has resulted in an overall lack of architectural cohesion and connectivity in this area. The area south of Shed 21, where the old Custom house was located, is awaiting redevelopment.”

• 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 tallest of the Wellington Harbour Board’s (WHB) industrial warehouses, Shed 21 is built of sturdy red brick. The charm of Shed 21 lies in the fine use of brickwork to embellish an otherwise plain and functional building facade.

• 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?

  Shed 21 is part of a group of former WHB buildings along the Wellington Waterfront.

• 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 three storey building is a key element at the northern end of Lambton Harbour. It is also important to the townscape of the area surrounding the Railway Station.

• Association

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

  The building has historic value for its association with transport and shipping industries and has played an important role in the trading and commercial life of Wellington.
  

• Association

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

  Shed 21 was designed by James Marchbanks (the WHB Chief Engineer) and built by the WHB.
  

• Technological

  Does the item have technological value for its innovative or important construction methods or use of materials?

  Designed specifically for use as a wool store, the building has several design features to accommodate this purpose, such as large doorways, skylights and top floor windows to let in maximum light.

• 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?

  Shed 21 has been an integral part of the Wellington waterfront for over 100 years. The building makes a strong positive contribution to the sense of place and continuity of Lambton Harbour.

• 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 interior of Shed 21 has been altered with its conversion to apartments with car parks and commercial space on the ground floor. The exterior has had few significant alterations.

• Importance

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

  Shed 21 is of national significance for its association with transport and shipping industries, particularly the wool industry.

Not assessed

• Bowman, Ian. Wellington Maritime Museum Conservation Plan, 1994, Wellington Maritime Museum
• Historic Places Trust, Wellington Harbour Board Historic Area (Volume 1): Registration Report for a Historic Area, 2012
• Historic Places Trust, “Wellington Harbour Board: Shed 21”, NZHPT Building Field Record Form, 1041-06-SHE21, Wellington City Council Records
• “Wellington Harbour Board Shed 21”, Heritage Inventory, 1995, Wellington City Council
• Wilson, Tony, and Michael Kelly, Wellington’s Maritime Heritage Trail, brochure published by Wellington City Council
• Newspapers: “A BIG BLAZE”, Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 58, 10 March 1909, Page 7
• Newspapers: “EXTRA EDITION”, Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 59, 11 March 1909, Page 8
• Newspapers: “HARBOUR BOARD”, Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 692, 17 December 1909, Page 3
• Newspapers: “Wellington Exhibition”, Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 38, 15 February 1911, Page 2
• Archives, “Rebuilding J Wool Store [Shed 21]”, 27 January 1910, AC016:3:158, Wellington City Archives

• Inventory Report

Not available