Preston’s Building

Preston’s Building, 92 Willis Street, 94 Willis Street

92-96 Willis Street, Wellington Central, Wellington
Image: WCC - Charles Collins, 2015
Image: WCC - Charles Collins, 2015
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  • Constructed

    1902 - 1912

  • Architect(s)

    Francis Penty

  • Builder(s)

  • The building façade at 92-96 Willis Street is a remnant of an Edwardian commercial building that has been incorporated into the 1991 Majestic Centre complex. The remnant is a good representative example of an Edwardian Classical façade. It is notable for its exuberant scheme of Classical ornamentation.  

    This building is associated with well known Wellington architect Francis Penty. It is also associated with the Preston’s butchery business which remained in the building until the 1980s.  

    It is a well-scaled, well-proportioned, elaborate Classical façade that stands in dramatic contrast to its modern neighbours; it contributes visual interest on Willis Street and contributes to the character of Wellington. 
     

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  • close History

    • The building façade at 92-96 Willis Street is a remnant of an Edwardian commercial building that has been incorporated into the 1991 Majestic Centre complex. It is a pleasant, well scaled façade, with inventive detailing that lends it a textural richness. Its retention on Willis Street contributes greatly to the streetscape and is a physical reminder of the type of building that once typified the commercial and business district of Wellington City.

      Willis Street has a long history, with much of it being settled by the early 1900s. This building was built in two parts for auctioneer Alfred Abram Barnett (c.1832 – 1908). Barnett settled in Australia in 1854 and followed the gold-rush to Dunedin in the early 1860s. He later moved to Wellington where he worked as an auctioneer, and served on the Licensing Bench and as a Justice of the Peace. The first half of the building was built in c.1902 and a matching extension was added in c.1912. Both are based on a design by prominent local architect, Francis Penty.

      The original (c.1902) permit application shows a three-storey commercial building with a shop on the ground floor and offices on the floors above. In November of 1902 Barnett placed an advertisement in the Evening Post to lease out this building. It appears that Mr Barnett occupied one part of the building and the other was occupied by Alfred Banks, a Pork butcher. In 1909 the building was leased by A. E. Preston Butchery and a three-storey extension with a matching façade was added in c.1912. Preston’s butchery has a long association with the building, and the company remains in business today, albeit in different premises.

      As the city developed into the 1990s, the Preston’s building came under new ownership and the interior spaces were demolished to make way for what is now known as the Majestic Centre. The facades of the Preston’s building were retained and continue to contribute to the townscape value of Willis Street.

    • Modifications close
      • 1902
      • Building – Shop and offices (00053:83:4775)
      • c.1912
      • The building was doubled in size c. The building was doubled in size (Old City Permit 9281
      • 1928
      • Alterations to shop (00056:57:B5506)
      • 1930
      • Addition – erect sign (00056:114:B10362)
      • 1930
      • Addition – erect shop-front (00056:114:B10364)
      • 1937
      • Addition – erect signs Addition – erect signs (00056:197:B17197)
      • 1949
      • Alteration – reinstate verandah Alteration – reinstate verandah (00056:368:B28281)
      • 1955
      • Alterations to shop front Alterations to shop front (00056:504:B37760)
      • 1958
      • Building additions Building additions (00058:82:C4015)
      • 1961
      • Shop alterations Shop alterations (00058:214:C9737)
      • 1988
      • Demolition of shops (00059:228:D10570) – I think this refers to the interiors of the building, heritage facades have been retained.
    • Occupation History close
      • unknown
      • Not assessed
  • close Architectural Information
    • Building Classification(s) close

      Not assessed

    • Architecture close

      The building façade at 92-96 Willis Street is a remnant of an Edwardian commercial building that has been incorporated into the 1991 Majestic Centre complex.

      The façade was designed in the Edwardian Classical style, with some Italianate influences such as the projecting cornices, elaborate consoles, and in the partially balustraded parapet. There are two main window groups on both the first and second floors. On the first floor, the large stilted segmental arched windows are framed by the heavy consoles of the projecting balcony above. The main windows are segmentally arched and flanked by a pair of narrow arched windows.

      Both main window groups are emphasised by the two elaborate segment pediments which rise above the parapets. The pediments are elaborately detailed with a frieze in the typanium, and a small fluted pilaster which rises through terminating volutes and is capped by a small triangular pediment. The first floor is lightly rusticated; the shallow piers which support the heavy consoles framing the windows give way on the second floor to seven fluted pilasters with plain capitals.

      The building was built in two halves with the first section designed in c.1902 and the second complete by c.1912. The two halves form a satisfying and seamless whole, and the repetition and symmetry contribute to the sense of scale, harmony and grandeur of the façade.

      The façade has been integrated into the Majestic Centre complex which includes a multi-storey podium topped with a 28+ storey tower that is one of the tallest in the city. The nearby former Dr Henry Pollen’s House (1902) WCC ref 17/31 is also located on the Majestic Centre site.

    • Materials close

      Unreinforced brick masonry façade with timber windows above verandah level.

    • Setting close

      This building is an important contributor to Willis Street. As a heritage façade, this building is a dramatic counterpoint to the modern buildings that are its neighbours, in particular the Majestic Building. This building is a reminder of the types of buildings that would have once lined the commercial district of Wellington.

      Other nearby heritage buildings include the Evening Post Building (1928) WCC ref 17/345.1, Dr Henry Pollen’s House (1902) WCC ref 17/31, the Hotel St George (1929-30) WCC ref 17/354 on the west side of Willis Street, and the Hibernian Building (1930) WCC ref 17/346 and the Jaycee Building (1920) WCC ref 17/347 on the east.

  • close Cultural Value

    The building façade at 92-96 Willis Street is a remnant of an Edwardian commercial building that has been incorporated into the 1991 Majestic Centre complex. The remnant is a good representative example of an Edwardian Classical façade. It is notable for its exuberant scheme of Classical ornamentation.

    This building is associated with well known Wellington architect Francis Penty. It is also associated with the Preston’s butchery business which remained in the building until the 1980s.

    It is a well-scaled, well-proportioned, elaborate Classical façade that stands in dramatic contrast to its modern neighbours; it contributes visual interest on Willis Street and contributes to the character of Wellington.

    • 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 building façade at 92-96 Willis Street is a remnant of an Edwardian commercial building that has been incorporated into the 1991 Majestic Centre complex. The remnant is a good representative example of an Edwardian Classical façade. It is notable for its exuberant scheme of Classical 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?

        It is a well-scaled, well-proportioned, elaborate Classical façade that stands in dramatic contrast to its modern neighbours; it contributes visual interest on Willis Street and contributes to the character of Wellington.

    • Historic Value close

      • Association

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

        This building is associated with well known Wellington architect Francis Penty. It is also associated with the Preston’s butchery business that remained in the building until the 1980s.

    • Scientific Value close

      • Archaeological

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

        This building is on the site of a previous structure, it is also part of 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?

        The building façade at 92-96 Willis Street is a remnant of an Edwardian commercial building. Although most of the original building has since been demolished, and a new building has been constructed behind, the façade has had few intrusive modern alterations or additions and contributes to the sense of place and continuity of the Willis Street streetscape.

    • 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?

        Although it is only the façade that remains, the exterior has been restored and is in good condition, making this façade an important contributor to the Wills Streetscape.

      • Local Regional National International

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

        This building is important at a local level due to the contribution that it makes to the Wills Streetscape despite the demolition of the interiors of the building.

      • Representative

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

        This building is a good example of the Edwardian commercial Classical style. It is one of few buildings that remain (relatively) unmodified left on Willis Street and provides a visual reminder of the types of buildings that once were common.

    • Local / Regional / National / International Importance close

      Not assessed

  • close Site Detail

    • District Plan Number

      17/ 345.2 (facade)

    • Legal Description

      Pt Lot 1 DP 62238

    • Heritage New Zealand Listed

      2/ Historic Place 3622

    • Archaeological Site

      NZAA Central City R27/270

    • 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: 7/4/2017 4:27:05 AM