Coene sheds and slipway

• 1942 - 1942
• Three two-storey timber buildings constructed on this site
• 1945 - 1945
• Converted to a boy’s hostel
• 1946 - 1946
• Slipway constructed
• 1949 - 1949
• Diesel pump and underground tank added
• 1955 - 1955
• Boy’s hostel moved to the Oriental Hostel
• c.1956 - c.1956
• Three buildings demolished
• 1959 - 1959
• Coene Sheds rebuilt from materials

• unknown
• Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club

Not assessed

The Coene sheds are two unassuming flat-roofed structures located on either side of the slipway to the east of the club-house. Each building is single storey and clad in bevel-back timber weatherboards with timber casement windows, timber door joinery and a concrete floor. The major feature of each shed is a large glazed horizontally sliding door – located in the centre of the main elevation of the west shed and on the right-hand side of the east shed (this appears to have been moved from the centre). The door to the west shed has a single glazed door let in to the centre; the door to the east shed has a small hatch in the centre.

The concrete slipway is located between the two sheds, with a narrow path running around its perimeter which provides access around it. The base of the slipway is recessed below the general level of the hard. A large boat cradle runs on rails into the water; winching and other equipment associated with the cradle is distributed around the sides of the slipway.

The east shed has its own slipway, used for launching the rescue boat. A flight of steps rising to Oriental Parade separates the east shed from the former club-house.

The interiors of the sheds were not inspected (2005).

Each building is clad in bevel-back timber weatherboards with timber casement windows, timber door joinery and a concrete floor.

The two Coene sheds sit to the east side of the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club Club-house building, flanking the present slipway.

The Clyde Quay boat harbour is a distinctive and unique Wellington landmark, set on the inner harbour beneath the hills of Mount Victoria. Bounded by the Freyberg Pool to the east and the (now demolished) Overseas Passenger Terminal to the west, it is a notable heritage area for its unique and quite authentic collection of heritage buildings, structures and objects. Until recently, it was the only marina in the inner Wellington harbour.

• 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 Coene Sheds and slipway are a group of light-industrial structures and infrastructure that are used for the storage and deployment of small boats. The sheds are much-altered but were designed in a local vernacular style that is typical of domestic architecture of the era.

• 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 Coene sheds and slipway have group value with the collection of other heritage buildings within the Clyde Quay Heritage Area, in particular the former club-house to the east which they sheds relate best to in form.

• Association

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

  The collection of buildings in the boat harbour has a historic association with both the development of the harbour itself and boating in Wellington city.

• Association

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

  The buildings and slipway are 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?

  The Coene Sheds have been in continuous use since 1959. They are an integral component of the heritage buildings, structures and objects that make up the Clyde Quay Boat Harbour Heritage Area. As such they contribute to the sense of place and continuity of the area.

• 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?

  Despite modifications over the years, the sheds remain largely intact with a high level of original building fabric.

• Importance

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

  The sheds are of local importance, as they contribute to the Clyde Quay Boat Harbour Heritage Area.

Not assessed

• Cochran, Chris. Clyde Quay Boat Harbour Wellington Conservation Plan (Wellington City Council: Unpublished report, 2005).
• Russell Murray, Clyde Quay Boat Harbour Heritage Area – Coene Sheds and Slipway (Wellington City Council: Unpublished report, prepared for Plan Change 53, 2005).

• inventory Report
• 1942 drawings
• 1959 specifications and plans

Not available