Holly Lodge

41 Drummond Street, Mount Cook, Wellington
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Image: WCC, 2002
Image: WCC, 2002
Image: WCC - Charles Collins, 2015
Image: WCC - Charles Collins, 2015
Cityview GIS 2013
Cityview GIS 2013
Map

  • Constructed

    1880

  • Architect(s)

    Unknown

  • Builder(s)

  • Holly Lodge has artistic value for the detail of its interior, likely carved by Henry Underwood, who was also the likely builder of the house. The house has architectural value as one of the more distinguished residences in the area, and the tower at the rear of the house adds an interesting point of difference.

    Holly Lodge has historical value for its association with Henry Underwood, a local cabinet maker of some repute and a property developer of some success.

    At around 130 years of age, Holly Lodge has considerable continuity value as a link back to early Wellington. The house also has continuity value for its ownership having resided within the Underwood family for over one hundred years.

    A large amount of Holly Lodge’s original fabric remains in both the interior and exterior, giving it a high degree of authenticity and integrity.


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  • close History

    • This house occupies a small corner of Section 750, the first subdivision of the section. It was also the first house built on the section. The house was probably built by Henry Underwood (1850-1909), a cabinet maker.

      Underwood arrived in New Zealand at the age of 12 with his thrice married mother. He began his working career on a farm in Whiteman’s Valley and soon moved into Wellington to board with the Houghton’s on Flagstaff Hill (family patriarch Robert Houghton established Wellington’s first pilot/signal station at Mt Albert while son John taught navigation). In the face of family objections Underwood eloped with John’s daughter Harriet in 1879, the year John Houghton accidentally drowned in Wellington Harbour. The family moved into Holly Lodge soon after although it is not certain when the house was built and whether Underwood was responsible, although it is likely. The earliest legal evidence of Underwood’s ownership is in 1888.

      In due course Henry Underwood was so successful in business that he took up property development and gave up cabinet making. His new ventured gave Underwood the means to extensively renovate the house and (semi) retire at a young age. He carried out renovations between 1895-1902, adding grand Italianate bay windows to the front of the house, and in 1901 an ornate tower to the rear of the house.

      In 1909 Henry Underwood lost his life when the S.S. Penguin foundered in Cook Strait. The wreck of the Penguin is New Zealand’s worst maritime disaster of the 20th century. 75 of the 105 people on board were killed, including Henry Underwood at the age of 59. His body was the last to be found, 6 weeks after the wreck.

      Harriett lived on in the house until her own death in 1916. Her son Sydney Underwood (1880-1922), retained ownership of the house but the family did not live there again and it was let to a series of tenants. The house remained in the family until the mid-1980s. The last Underwood owner was Eric Underwood, presumably Sydney’s son, who acquired the house in 1937 and sold it in 1986.

      In 1971 the house was converted from a dwelling into an apartment/boarding house, and remained in the Underwood family until purchased by Quentin Toebes in 1986. Toebes began an intense renovation of the property, including the reconversion of the building into a single dwelling in 1987. The name ‘Holly Lodge’ appears on the front facade of the house. It is possible that the house was named for the two holly trees that were planted at the gate when the house was first built.

    • Modifications close
      • c.1880
      • Construction
      • c.1901
      • Addition of two rooms
      • 1971
      • Conversion into boarding house
      • 1987 - 1989
      • Conversion back to house
      • 1992
      • Second garage added
    • Occupation History close
      • c.1880 - 1916
      • Underwood family
      • 1916 - 1983
      • Various tenants
      • 2013
      • Stephanie Foster, Anthony Lander, Elizabeth Sheriff, Daniel O’Donnell
  • close Architectural Information
    • Building Classification(s) close

      Not assessed

    • Architecture close

      Holly Lodge is a simple but appealing house which has architectural detailing and planning consistent with turn-of-the-century constructions of a similar nature.

    • Materials close

      Timber weatherboards, timber joinery, corrugated iron roofing

    • Setting close

      On the corner of Drummond and Tasman streets, Holly Lodge is situated on the rise of both streets. The house enjoys views eastward to Mount Victoria and west to Mount Cook, though from the tower the view is significantly wider. Holly Lodge is slightly raised above the street and footpath, and the house is shrouded by trees and growth: these two features combine to give the house a degree of privacy and separation from the neighbourhood.

  • close Cultural Value

    Holly Lodge has artistic value for the detail of its interior, likely carved by Henry Underwood, who was also the likely builder of the house. The house has architectural value as one of the more distinguished residences in the area, and the tower at the rear of the house adds an interesting point of difference.

    Holly Lodge has historical value for its association with Henry Underwood, a local cabinet maker of some repute and a property developer of some success.

    At around 130 years of age, Holly Lodge has considerable continuity value as a link back to early Wellington. The house also has continuity value for its ownership having resided within the Underwood family for over one hundred years.

    A large amount of Holly Lodge’s original fabric remains in both the interior and exterior, giving it a high degree of authenticity and integrity.

    • 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?

        Holly Lodge has artistic value for the detail of its interior, likely carved by Henry Underwood, who was also the likely builder of the house. The house has architectural value as one of the more distinguished residences in the area, and the tower at the rear of the house adds an interesting point of difference.

      • 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 garden and raised section does give Holly Lodge some streetscape value. The tower is also an impressive sight when approaching from the Drummond Street steps to the east.

    • Historic Value close

      • Association

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

        Holly Lodge has historical value for its association with Henry Underwood, a local cabinet maker of some repute and a property developer of some success.

    • Scientific Value close

      • Archaeological

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

        Holly Lodge has archaeological value as a home built pre-1900.

    • 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?

        At around 130 years of age, Holly Lodge has considerable continuity value as a link back to early Wellington. The house also has continuity value for its ownership having resided within the Underwood family for over one hundred years.

    • 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?

        A large amount of Holly Lodge’s original fabric remains in both the interior and exterior, giving it a high degree of authenticity and integrity.

      • Local Regional National International

        Holly Lodge is important at a local level.

        Holly Lodge is important at a local level.

      • Representative

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

        Holly Lodge is a good example of a Wellington bay villa built in the late nineteenth century.

    • Local / Regional / National / International Importance close

      Not assessed

  • close Site Detail

    • District Plan Number

      6/ 376

    • Legal Description

      Lot 1 A Plan 124

    • Heritage New Zealand Listed

      Not Listed

    • Archaeological Site

      Pre-1900 building

    • Current Uses

      unknown

    • Former Uses

      unknown

    • Has building been funded

      No

    • Funding Amount

      Not applicable

    • Earthquake Prone Status

      Outside Earthquake Prone Policy

  • close Additional Information

Last updated: 2/19/2020 3:02:34 AM