Weir House

• 1931
• Construction of hoste (l00056:123:B11151)
• 1967
• Out building additions, crib wall (00058:519:C25156)
• 1969
• Hostel alterations (00058:615:C28744)
• 1981
• Repile (00058:1369:C57328)
• 1989
• Dwelling additions and alterations (00059:283:E16581)
• 1992
• Service alterations level 0 and 1 (00059:583:E26417)

• unknown
• Victoria University of Wellington

Not assessed

The construction of Weir House is in-situ reinforced concrete foundations, walls and floors, with internal walls of brick masonry. The roof is clad in Marseilles tiles.
The building was designed as a student hostel in a simplified Georgian Revival style, with an entrance portico framed by Corinthian columns supporting a plain entablature. The portico is capped by a triangular pediment with the hostel’s
crest moulded into the tympanum. The portico has an ‘attic’ storey built over it, with a simple parapet capped by urns. 

The rest of the building is of regular proportions set by the repeated multi-paned, double-hung sash windows. A simple cornice at second floor level provides a horizontal emphasis and helps to tie the composition together.

The interior, based around a T-shaped plan with central corridors, reflects the exterior style, with timber dado and panelling, a flowing staircase with timber handrails and iron balusters, and a porthole window on the landing. The
Common Room is well-proportioned, with tall multi-paned windows, timber panelling, and simple plaster cornice, and the fireplace is faced with Oamaru stone. The accommodation consists of bedrooms and study-bedrooms with built-in furniture.  

Reinforced concrete

Bricks

Marseille tiles

Weir House is situated on the Kelburn hillside on Gladstone Terrace, a cul de sac off Salamanca Road. To the north and east are private residences. To the south is Kelburn Park. The Kelburn Cable Car tramway line runs through a tunnel beneath the hostel. The hostel is linked to nearby streets by several pedestrian access ways. Because of the building’s prominent hillside location it is visible from many parts of Wellington, including The Terrace.

• 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 is one of Wellington’s best examples of the Georgian Revival style. The building makes clever use of its site, with its grand but not overwhelming west elevation a significant contrast with the dominant form of the eastern elevation overlooking the city.

• 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 building has significant townscape value as it is occupies a prominent hillside location and is visible from many parts of the city.

• Association

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

  The building is owned by and is intimately associated with Victoria University of Wellington (formerly known as Victoria University College). The hostel has been occupied by many thousands of students since its opening and some significant achievers have been amongst them. 

• Association

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

  Weir House was a milestone in the development of Victoria University, an institution that only been opened 30 years earlier. The university’s hostels (more were to follow) play a key role in introducing school leavers to university life and Weir House is the oldest surviving of these institutions.

• Archaeological

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

  The potential archaeological value of this site is not known. Evidence of the Kennedy house that previously occupied the site has probably been obliterated.

• 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 is a focus of community identity for both current and former students at Victoria University.

• Public Esteem

  Is the item held in high public esteem?

  Weir House is highly regarded by former occupants, university staff and other students and Kelburn residents. Its landmark qualities also mean it is well known in the city. These connections give the building considerable public esteem.

• Sentiment Connection

  Is the item a focus of community sentiment and connection?

  Due to its long-standing role as an accommodation provider for first year university students, the building has sentimental value to many former students who lived there.

• 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 has retained a significant amount of its original fabric, particularly its exterior and therefore has authenticity.

• Local Regional National International

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

  Because of its position as a Wellington landmark and accommodation hall for Victoria University, the building is important on a local level.

Not assessed

• Fulcher, Leon & Jane Fulcher, Weir Tales: Celebrating 75 Years, (Wellington: Student Services, Victoria University of Wellington, 2008)
• Kernohan, D. and T. Kellaway. Wellington’s Old Buildings. Wellington: VUW Press, 1994.
• New Zealand Historic Places Trust Professional Biographies. ‘William Gray Young.’ Accessed 12 September 2012.
• Wellington City Council. ‘1 Gladstone Terrace.’ Wellington Heritage Building Inventory 2001: Non-Residential Buildings. Wellington City Council, 2001. GLAD1.
• ‘Gladstone Terrace (49 Salamanca Road), hostel.’ 22 August 1931. (00056:123:B11151).

Not available

Not available