Dr Ewart’s Residence and Surgery (Former)

Appraisal House, Papua New Guinea High Commission

279 Willis Street, Te Aro, Wellington
❰ ❱
Image: WCC - Charles Collins, 2015
Image: WCC - Charles Collins, 2015
Cityview GIS 2012
Cityview GIS 2012
Circa 1990s image of the north elevation of 279 Willis Street (WCC).
Circa 1990s image of the north elevation of 279 Willis Street (WCC). 
Map

  • Constructed

    1909

  • Architect(s)

    Hoggard and Prouse

  • Builder(s)

  • The building at 279 Willis Street has aesthetic and architectural value as an example of the Arts and Crafts style.

    It is the work by the prominent early 20th century architectural practice of Hoggard & Prouse. 

    The building is a local landmark and the landscaped courtyard/ parking area allows the handsome north elevation to be viewed from Willis Street.

    Upper Willis Street was once known as a medical precinct and a large number of doctors’ house / surgeries were located in the area, of which this building is amongst the most impressive. Historically, the building is significant not only for its association with eminent surgeon and hospital administrator, Dr John Ewart, but also for the host of other distinguished surgeons who have worked there. 

  • Downloadable(s)

    Download this content as PDF

  • close History

    • This large house and surgery was built for Dr John Ewart (1858-1939) in 1909-10. Ewart was a surgeon who established his reputation at Wellington Hospital and then went into private practice later in his life.

      Ewart was born and educated in Scotland in 1858. He was the son of Robert Ewart a farmer in Dumfriesshire and his wife Jane Paterson. John Ewart qualified as a doctor of medicine in 1885 and, after several positions in British hospitals, emigrated to New Zealand in 1887. His first appointment was as medical superintendent of Timaru Hospital and just two years later, in 1889 - the year he married Grace Brandon - he was appointed to the same position at Wellington Hospital. The job was a difficult one, and he was the tenth superintendent since the construction of the new hospital in 1878, but Dr John Ewart was regarded as an outstanding superintendent and gained an international reputation as a surgeon during this time.

      Dr Ewart was described as a “small, fair gentleman…[with a]… soft voice, set in a fairly high key, and [a] winning disposition that makes even sickness less irksome to hospital patients.” His 20 year tenure at Wellington Hospital was at “considerable financial disadvantage to himself” and he resigned to take up private practice in 1909, whereupon he was made honorary surgeon and an honorary consultant of the hospital. The fever hospital (1910) on Coromandel Street was renamed Ewart Hospital (now Ewart Building) in his honour.

      Dr Ewart engaged architects Hoggard and Prouse to design his house and surgery. The builders were Meyer and Illingworth. Dr Ewart maintained a direct interest in his surgery until 1925 and, in the interim, built up a considerable practice. Dr Ewart retired in 1922 due in part to blindness. By this time, the practice included six surgeons, including prominent practitioners Duncan Stout and David Whyte.

      Sir Thomas Duncan MacGregor Stout (1885– 1979) was the son of former Premier, Sir Robert Stout, and influential feminist and community worker Lady Anna Paterson Stout. He was born in Wellington in 1885 and graduated from Guy's Hospital Medical School in London. He returned to New Zealand in 1914, enlisted in the army and served in Samoa, Egypt and France. He later became the Consultant Surgeon at the Trentham Military Hospital from 1919-20 and an Honorary Visiting Surgeon at Wellington Hospital from 1920-45. He served in WWII as a consulting surgeon to the 2NZEF and was a noted war historian. He was the Chairman of the Victoria University Council from 1939-1957 and the First Chancellor of Victoria from University 1957 – 1959. This continued a long family association with the university that started with his father, Robert Stout, who had been the principal founder of Victoria College and a Chancellor of the University of New Zealand.

      David Whyte (1889 – 1950) was, like Ewart, a brilliant surgeon who made his name in a long career at Wellington Hospital before entering private practice. He was born in Duntocher, Dumbartonshire, Scotland in 1889 and came to New Zealand with his family in 1897. He joined the RAMC in 1914, served in France and was then posted to India in 1918. He was an Honorary Visiting Surgeon at Wellington Hospital from 1924-1940, and a Visiting Surgeon at Wellington Hospital from 1940-1949 with a major interest and expertise in colorectal surgery. The David Whyte prize in Clinical Surgery for final year medical students was established on his retirement.

      Raymond Eder applied to the WCC to convert the buildings into six residential apartments in 1943, and it seems possible that the building was divided into tenancies at this date, but appears to have remained in use as medical consulting rooms. It was occupied by various medical practices, including the one founded by Ewart, until 1971. Quantity surveyors, Hogg and Condall (now Rider Hunt), have occupied the building since the early 1970s, along with numerous other commercial tenants. Rider Hunt is an international consultancy, and dates its origins back as far as 1785. A large extension to the building, designed by Ian Athfield, was added in 1986. The main occupant of the building in 2012 is the Papua New Guinea High Commission.


    • Modifications close
      • c.1909
      • Constructed
      • 1943
      • Consent application to convert the building into 6 residential apartments/flats (although some or all of these appear to have been used as doctor’s consulting rooms.
      • 1948
      • Consent application for alterations to one apartment.
      • 1986
      • New office building constructed with a Victoria Street frontage.
      • 1995
      • Identified as an earthquake risk building
      • 2006
      • Section 124 notice issued
      • 2012
      • Building strengthening works commence
      • unknown
      • Wises Post Office
      • 1950 - 1971
      • Medical practice ditto- Wises
      • 1973 - 1974
      • Hogg and Condall quantity surveyors- Wises
      • 1975
      • Bendon Berlei; Hogg & Cardiff; NZ Seaman’s Union; Nexus L S Property Development -Wises
      • 1980
      • Appraisal house Ad. Media services; Holmes Cook Hogg & Cardiff Nexus - Wises
    • Occupation History close
      • unknown
      • Wises Post Office
      • 1910
      • Ewart, John. Surgeon. 12 Boulcott Street - Stones
      • 1915 - 1920
      • Ewart, John. Surgeon 281 Willis Street - Stones
      • 1926
      • Giesen, E. Wm. Surgeon; Cohen, L.D. Surgeon; Fenwick, David Eardley. Physician; Myers, Daniel F. Surgeon; Stout, T. Duncan. Surgeon; Whyte, D. Surgeon; Gould, Mary. Massuese. - Stones
      • 1930 - 1945
      • medical practice – variations on the above names - Stones
  • close Architectural Information
    • Building Classification(s) close

      Not assessed

    • Architecture close

      Appraisal House is a very competent example of the Arts and Crafts style, with features of the style including: heavily textured stucco finished walls; Marseille tile roof with deep overhanging eaves and gables supported on racking brackets; and a picturesque silhouette of roof shapes with tall chimneys. It is two storeys high, rectangular in plan with the short side facing Willis Street. The original entrance was on the north side of the building, marked by a large semi-circular opening with wreath and lion’s head above, and the building is unusual in that the north elevation (rather than the Willis Street elevation) is the principal facade. The entrance is central between two prominent gables. The general exterior form and fenestration remain authentic. The pattern of windows (some with semi-circular openings) and the bay windows are distinguishing features of the building.

      The modern four storey addition at the back (east) faces onto Victoria Street and hardly impinges on the architecture of the building. The new main entrance at the end of a bricked path on the north side, opens into the new area as well as the old. The interior has been modified for modern office use but keeps features such as an original staircase.

      The building features a “Wellington Historic Features” plaque.

    • Materials close

      Marseille tile roof, rendered facades, timber windows and doors

    • Setting close

      There is an eclectic mix of buildings in this part of upper Willis Street, including the Post-modern First Church of Christ Scientist next door, to the south; two-storey timber houses dating from the turn of the century; and the former Dental Clinic Building opposite. Appraisal House has some townscape value in views north and south along Willis Street, providing variety of style and age in this area of mixed-use buildings. It is set back a little from the street frontage, with trees and paving that enhance its setting, while a car park on its north side allows its handsome north elevation to be well seen.

      Upper Willis Street was once Wellington’s equivalent of London’s Harley Street and the doctor’s houses, consulting rooms and hospitals originally constructed in the area include:

      Dr Henry Pollen’s house and surgery at 12 Boulcott Street

      Sir Donald McGavin’s house and surgery at 200 Willis Street

      The former Children’s Dental Clinic at 254 Willis Street

      An obstetric hospital at 278 Willis Street / Dr Levy’s maternity home (the building was relocated to 130A Abel Smith Street and the site at 278 Willis Street is now occupied by a relocated commercial building WCC ref 16/355/2]PC63 ).

  • close Cultural Value

    The building at 279 Willis Street has aesthetic and architectural value as an example of the Arts and Crafts style.

    It is the work by the prominent early 20th century architectural practice of Hoggard & Prouse.

    The building is a local landmark and the landscaped courtyard/ parking area allows the handsome north elevation to be viewed from Willis Street.

    Upper Willis Street was once known as a medical precinct and a large number of doctors’ house / surgeries were located in the area, of which this building is amongst the most impressive. Historically, the building is significant not only for its association with eminent surgeon and hospital administrator, Dr John Ewart, but also for the host of other distinguished surgeons who have worked there.

    • 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 at 279 Willis Street has significant aesthetic and architectural value as an assured and competent example of the Arts and Crafts style by the prominent local architecture practice of Hoggard & Prouse.

      • 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?

        Upper Willis Street was once known as a medical precinct and a large number of doctors’ house / surgeries were located in the area, of which this building is amongst the most impressive.

      • 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 former house / consulting rooms is a local landmark on Willis Street. The interesting form of the building and materials provide a distinctive note in an area where buildings are of very varied ages, styles and uses. The plan of the building is unusual in that the principal façade does not address the street at Willis or Victoria Street but faces north to overlook a patio area that now functions as a car park. This courtyard allows the handsome north elevation to be viewed from Willis Street.

    • Historic Value close

      • Association

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

        Upper Willis Street was once Wellington’s equivalent of London’s Harley Street and 279 Willis Street was just one of a number of doctors’ house / surgeries in the area. This is one of the biggest of those buildings and, because of its situation and the high quality of its construction, it has retained its functional value. Historically, the building is significant not only for its association with eminent surgeon and hospital administrator, Dr John Ewart, but also for the host of other distinguished surgeons who have worked there. It is currently home to the Papua New Guinea High Commission.

    • Scientific Value close

      • Archaeological

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

        Central City archaeological site ref NZAA R27/270

      • Technological

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

        The building remains authentic in its exterior form and detail, and the stucco finish, Marseille tile roof and timber joinery have particular technical 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?

        The building has had few intrusive modern alterations in the past 100 years and makes a strong positive contribution 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?

        The building remains authentic in its exterior form and detail, with the stucco finish, Marseille tile roof and timber joinery having particular technical value. Interior modifications and a major addition at the back (which is visually discrete) have maintained the use and amenity values of this important building, while not detracting from its architectural value.

      • Representative

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

        The building is a god representative example of early twentieth century Arts and Crafts styled house / medical consulting rooms.

    • Local / Regional / National / International Importance close

      Not assessed

  • close Site Detail

    • District Plan Number

      16/ 356

    • Legal Description

      All Plan A 2214 - APPRAISAL HOUSE

    • Heritage New Zealand Listed

      2/ Historic Place 1334

    • 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

      Unknown

  • close Additional Information

Last updated: 11/28/2017 3:42:26 AM