Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club

• 1943 - 1943
• US Marines built a hospital on the site
• 1957 - 1957
• Internal alterations and conversion to a clubhouse for Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club
• 1958 - 1958
• Adding a starters box to the building at roof level
• 1964 - 1964
• Internal alterations to the lower floor
• 1971 - 1971
• Internal alterations to the lower floor
• 1987 - 1987
• Significant additions and alterations to the building by Interact Architects
• 1988 - 1988
• External canopy added on the seaward side
• 1999 - 1999
• Deck on seaward side extended
• 2003 - 2003
• Alterations to provide a kitchen on the lower ground floor

Not assessed

Not assessed

Of the original American Forces building the form particularly that of the roof with its hipped gables, remains to indicate its origin. It has been completely refurbished inside, and reclad outside with new naturally finished weatherboards and aluminium windows. On the landward side, the building rests on the old brick wall that runs alongside the footpath.

Timber construction

Sea wall is incorporated into the building as a strip foundation

Weatherboard cladding

Aluminium windows (replaced timber windows in 1987)

One of the most distinctive views of Wellington is that of the Clyde Quay boat harbour with the timber houses of Mt Victoria behind, and St Gerard’s Monastery and Chapel presiding over all from the bush-clad cliff above Oriental Parade. The view encapsulates the elements of harbour setting, timber houses, steep topography and landmark sites that the city is renowned for.

The boat harbour is formed by natural and man-made features. The south side follows the gentle curve of the original shoreline, with the land rising steeply behind to McFarlane and Hawker Streets. Prominent landmark buildings enclose the ends of the boat harbour. To the north, low sea walls are all that separate the boat harbour from the waters of Port Nicholson. It is a contained space, clearly demarcated by these features, with the boats at anchor as the centerpiece.

• 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?

  The Clubhouse contributes to the Clyde Quay Boat Harbour Heritage Area. It also is an existing example of a building constructed in the Wellington region specifically for military purposes during the Second World War.

• 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 Clubhouse is part of one of the most distinctive views of Wellington. Clyde Quay boat harbour with the timber houses of Mt Victoria behind, and St Gerard’s Monastery and Chapel presiding over all from the bush-clad cliff above Oriental Parade is very iconic.

  
  
  Clyde Quay boat harbour brings maritime architecture into close proximity with inner city housing, a juxtaposition that occurs in few other New Zealand cities.  

  
  

• Association

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

  The building is associated with military activity in New Zealand during the Second World War.  It is also associated with local, national and international sailors and yacht racing such as the Global Ocean Race and the Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race.
  

• Association

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

  The building is associated with the US Marines stationed in New Zealand during the Second World War.  It is also associated with the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club that was founded in 1883 and has been based at the boat harbour since 1905.

Not assessed

• 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?

  Yachting is fundamental part of New Zealand’s maritime history and forms part of New Zealand’s identity. The prominence and longevity of the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club with yachting in New Zealand is well known and the clubhouse is a bastion of the sailing community in Wellington.

• PublicEsteem

  Is the item held in high public esteem?

  The Clyde Quay Boat Harbour is an iconic and easily identifiable collection of buildings in Wellington. The achievements and standing of the Royal Port Nicholas Yacht Club also adds to the esteem of the collection of maritime buildings.

• SymbolicCommemorativeTraditionalSpiritual

  Does the item have symbolic, commemorative, traditional, spiritual or other cultural value for the community who has used and continues to use it?

  The clubhouse has traditional and cultural values for the sailing community in Wellington given its association with the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club and other early yacht clubs, and the national and international achievements of associated members.

• Importance

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

  The building is important internationally due to its association with the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club, the prominent role the club plays in yachting in New Zealand, and the achievements of its members.

Not assessed

• Cochran, Chris and Four Decades Conservation, Clyde Quay Boat Harbour Wellington: Conservation Plan, 2005
• Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club, Accessed October 2012
• Wellington City Council. Wellington Heritage Building Inventory 2001: Non-Residential Buildings. Wellington City Council, 2001.

• Inventory Report
• 1957 drawings

Not available