Dransfield House

• 1870
• Original construction
• 1996
• 335 Willis Street, restoration (00061:184:15845)
• 1997
• 335 Willis Street, fire reinstatement with minor internal alterations (00078:844:20613)

• unknown
• Not assessed

Not assessed

Dransfield House is a two-storey timber Italianate residence with a hipped roof and verandah to both the north and west street facing facades. The first floor of the street elevation features Classical symmetry focussing on a purely decorative central gable above a pair of round-headed windows. On either side of this arrangement is a single round headed window. The central gable is decorated with fretwork and a finial which adds ornamentation to an otherwise plain façade. The ground floor also has a large square bay that encloses the southern end of the verandah.

The north elevation has a series of alternating single and paired round headed windows at the first floor and two angled bay windows at the ground floor projecting on to the verandah. This verandah, supported by a colonnade and chamfered posts, is continuous along the north and west facades. Likewise, moulded eaves brackets are a decorative element of these facades. In contrast, the south and east facades are simple, adorned only with double hung windows with a variety of sash patterns.

The interior retains some of its original features, particularly at the ground floor, with timber floors, plastered and timber lined ceilings, timber arches and corbels in the hall and a staircase with fine newel posts.

Timber floors

Plaster and timber lined ceilings

Corrugated iron roofing

Timber joinery

Dransfield House is a grand two-storey house that is set back from the street in relatively substantial grounds. The street edge of the site (to both Victoria and Willis streets) is lined with mature trees which somewhat screen the house from view. The former gardens have been paved and are now used for parking.

The main entrance to the building is via Willis Street at the intersection with Aro Street. To the south is the dull seven-storey monolithic Mercure Hotel, and to the north are a row of three substantial two-storey Victorian/Edwardian timber houses that make a strong contribution to the streetscape. Willis Street, at this point is a wide and busy two-to-three lane one-way arterial route, and the buildings that line the west side of the street are generally substantial masonry houses, apartment buildings and shops. Two buildings of particular note are the fine Art Deco inspired Blythswood apartment block at the corner of Aro and Willis streets, and the handsome two-storey Victorian villa at the corner of Willis and Abel Smith streets that was once a private hospital (WCC 16/255.3).

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

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 ).

290 Willis Street

Dransfield House

• 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?

  Dransfield House is a fine example of a substantial wooden house designed in the Italianate style. It is set in substantial grounds (for its inner city location), and surrounded by mature trees. The building is notable for its relatively unaltered exterior and for the survival of interior fittings such as stained glass, joinery and plasterwork.

• 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 the building has group value for its use as a doctor’s house/surgery in the early 20th century.

• 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?

  Dransfield House is a grand mid-19th century house that is screened from view by mature trees that surround the building’s relatively substantial grounds. The building and surrounding trees, have some townscape value for their contribution to the streetscape of upper Willis Street.

• Association

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

  This building, known as Dransfield House, is closely associated with Joe Dransfield who was prominent in early Wellington business and political life. It was later used as a grand middle-class residence, a boarding house, doctor’s house/surgery, and when owned by the WCC, for community arts groups. It is now in use as a restaurant and wedding/functions venue.

• Archaeological

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

  This building is found in the NZAA Central City Archaeological Area R27/270 and is a pre 1900 building.

• 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?

  This house is an important part of the local community and makes a significant contribution to the sense of place and identity of wider setting of Willis and Aro Streets.

• 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?

  This house has had few listed modifications made, has been recently restored, and retains a relatively authentic quality. It has authenticity of style, craftsmanship, materials, and setting.

• Local Regional National International

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

  This house is locally significant for its architectural, and townscape values, its historic associations, its archaeological values, and its authenticity.

• Representative

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

  This house is a fine example of large Italianate dwelling, built in materials and using techniques common to the period. It is best known as the home of former Wellington mayor, Joe Dransfield, and as one of the many former doctor’s house/surgeries that once formed a substantial medical precinct in upper Willis Street.

Not assessed

• Dransfield House, ‘History’, Dransfield House Website, accessed 12 November 2013,
• Historic Places Trust. ‘Dransfield House (Former Wellington Arts Centre).’ Historic Places Trust, unpublished registration report. 2008. Accessed 12 November 2013
• 1996 335 Willis Street, restoration (00061:184:15845)
• 1997 335 Willis Street, fire reinstatement with minor internal alterations(00078:844:20613)

Not available

Not available