Former Masonic Hall

• 1904 - 1904
• Building constructed (00053:107:5975)
• 1929 - 1929
• Kitchen addition (00056:86:B8152)
• 2006 - 2006
• Toilet upgrade and replacements; new mezzanine floor; basement replacement; new shed (00078:2958:137881)

• 1904 - 1922
• Masonic Lodge Masonic Lodge (Lodge Hinemoa of Wellington South)
• 1922 - 1950
• L.O.L.
• 1950 - 1977
• Orange Lodge
• 1977 - 1978
• Wellington Hospital Board
• 1978 - 1994
• Newtown Youth Club Committee
• 1994 - 2013
• SAI Care

Not assessed

The former Masonic Hall is a two-storey timber framed building - although from Daniell Street it appears to be only one storey. The ground drops away from the street and a basement occupies about two-thirds of the main floor area. The plan is rectangular, measuring approximately 8 metres wide by 16 metres long.

The front elevation to Daniell Street remains today as it shows on the original architectural drawings, a pure piece of simplified neo-Classical design, and is presented much as the front of a small Doric temple. Four Doric pilasters divide the facade into three bays, the central one with a pair of doors and the outer ones each with a round-headed window. These three openings have triangular pediments above, the form of them reflected in the large pedimented gable of the roof.

The building has a high level of authenticity, with small changes to the front elevation joinery being the only evident exterior alteration.

The wall sheathing is rusticated weatherboarding to three sides, covered over with metal sheeting on the north wall, presumably as a fire safety precaution, and the roof sheathing corrugated iron. The structure is conventional timber framing, with the main floor supported on a row of columns and the roof supported on five king-post trusses that span the full width of the building.

The former Masonic Hall occupies two-thirds of a large site that slopes sharply down from the street. It is located in Daniell Street - a Newtown suburban streetscape that is made up predominantly of one and two storey villas and cottages that have few formal pretensions. These residential buildings are generally set back from the pavement-edge behind fences, hedges and garages.

The former Masonic Lodge is a minor local landmark. Its façade of the former Masonic Lodge aligns with the pavement edge in a way that emphasises its role as a civic, or quasi-religious, rather than a residential building. Its formal Classical façade is an obvious attempt at grandeur in an otherwise diminutive building. It is a pleasant Edwardian building that makes a positive contribution to its setting and streetscape.

The wider setting is eastern Newtown, a predominantly residential area. The hospital complex is nearby to the north and the commercial centre of Newtown to the west.

• 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?

  This diminutive timber building at 8 Daniell Street is a good representative example of an early-20th century Masonic Lodge. It is notable for its well-ordered Classical design that features simplified Doric pilasters, a gable roof and pedimented window and door openings.

• 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 is a minor landmark on Daniell Street for its prominent location at the pavement’s edge, and for its formal design. It stands in contrast to its residential neighbours that have few formal pretensions, and which are, generally, set back behind fences, hedges and garages.

• Association

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

  The hall has had a varied history. It was once the home of a local Masonic Lodge and later the meeting place of the Orange Lodge, and the building’s fortunes mirror the waxing and waning of Freemasonry in New Zealand. More recently the building has served as both a youth centre and a health centre, thus demonstrating its adaptability and usefulness as a community building.

• Archaeological

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

  Central City NZAA R27/270 – note the Ward Map of 1892 does not show a previous building on this site

• Technological

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

  There is technical value in the timber construction, particularly in the mouldings and the roof trusses.

• 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 or additions over the past 110+ years and contributes to the sense of place and continuity of Daniell Street.

• 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 façade of this building remains largely intact with a high level of original building fabric, hence the level of authenticity is high.

• Representative

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

  This building is a good representative example of a small Edwardian Masonic Hall.

• Importance

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

  This building is of high local significance and remains today in a community use compatible with its original purpose.

Not assessed

• Russell Murray. Masonic Hall/SAI Centre, 8 Daniell Street, vIII. (Wellington City Council: Unpublished report, prepared for Plan Change 53, 2005).

• Inventory Report
• 1904 drawings
• 1929 drawings

Not available