House

13 Farm Road, Northland, Wellington
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Image: Charles Collins, 2015
Image: WCC - Charles Collins, 2015
Extent: Cityview GIS 2013
Extent: Cityview GIS 2013
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  • Constructed

    1910

  • Architect(s)

    Unknown

  • Builder(s)

    Edmund Platt (assumed)

  • This house is of architectural value is a representative of a single storey double bay villa of the early 20th century. It has some special features including the ornate front gables.

    This house contributes to the sense of place and continuity in Northland due to the retention of its original features and its long standing place on the street. 

    This house has group value as one of four houses built by the Platt family of a similar style and age of the others in the cluster.

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  • close History

    • The house at 13 Farm Road is a fine example of a bay villa design in the first decade of the 20th century. It is one of a number of Northland houses associated with the Platt family. The family eventually settled in Northland and each male member went on to build houses in the suburb. Edmund Platt established a successful plastering firm and his sons all became tradesmen. The family turned to building speculation around 1905, when the production of large fibrous plaster sheets and mass production of ornamentation began to affect the viability of smaller firms such as the Platt’s. The Platt’s concentrated their efforts on the new subdivisions in Northland.

      The land that the house occupies was once part of the large Pharazyn estate, this subdivision was completed by at least 1900. No original plans exist for this house, so it is difficult to ascertain when it was constructed. In 1904 the property was purchased by D’Arcy Tuckwell, a painter. In 1914 he sold the house to William Meale, a commercial traveller, who appears not to have occupied the house. In 1919 the property was sold to waterside worker George Frisken and his wife Alice. The property passed to Alice after her husband’s death in 1934, and she occupied the house until her own death in 1955. The Public Trust sold the house to John Irwin and over the next 50 years the house changed many times, with only one owner, Lindsay and May Towers living there for more than a decade (from 1957-1968). In 1992 the house was sold to editor Frances Else and writer and poet Harvey McQueen, who went on to sell it to Russell Andrews and Catherine Cradwick.

      The rear elevation of the house was significantly altered in 1980, but this has had little effect upon the view from the street. There is a 2013 proposal to remove the chimneys from the house.

  • close Architectural Information
    • Building Classification(s) close

      Not assessed

    • Architecture close

      The house at 13 Farm Road is a good example of a single storey timber double bay villa. It contains a fine example of Queen Anne Eastlakes detailing, which sets it apart from other villas in the area of the same period. The gables are decorated and are a special feature of the house. The house consists of four main rooms opening a central corridor which narrows after the front rooms. This is a typical floor plan for a villa of this age. The rear of the house has been significantly modified.

    • Materials close

      Rusticated weatherboards

      Brickwork chimney

      Lath and plaster

      Painted corrugated iron roof

    • Setting close

      The house occupies an elevated, east facing rise, on Farm Road, Northland. 13 Farm Road is one of four houses on Farm Road constructed by the Platt family, and is very similar in style to No. 11. The house is partially obscured by mature trees and shrubs from the streetscape.

  • close Cultural Value

    This house is of architectural value is a representative of a single storey double bay villa of the early 20th century. It has some special features including the ornate front gables.

    This house contributes to the sense of place and continuity in Northland due to the retention of its original features and its long standing place on the street.

    This house has group value as one of four houses built by the Platt family of a similar style and age of the others in the cluster.

    • 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?

        This house is of architectural value is a representative of a single storey double bay villa of the early 20th century. It has some special features including the ornate front gables.

      • 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?

        This house has group value as one of four houses built by the Platt family of a similar style and age of the others in the cluster.

      • 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?

        This house is of modest townscape value for the visual interest that it contributes to the streetscape.

    • Historic Value close

      • Association

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

        This house has historical significance for its association with the Platt family and the contribution that they made to the development of the city.

    • Scientific Value close

      • Archaeological

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

        The risk is unknown, but there is pre-1900 activity associated with the area.

      • Technological

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

        There is technical value for the evidence it provides of materials and construction methods from the time. Its construction with the Platt family enhances this value.

    • 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?

        This house contributes to the sense of place and continuity in Northland due to the retention of its original features and its long standing place on the street.

    • 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?

        This house retains a significant amount of authenticity although the rear of the house has had extensive alterations.

      • Local Regional National International

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

        This house is of local significance due to its association with the Platt family, who were notable Wellington tradesmen around the turn of the century, as a representative of a bay villa, and for the contribution that it makes to the streetscape in Northland.

      • Representative

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

        This house is a good representative of a timber double bay villa from the turn of the century. It is constructed in materials, and using techniques, that were common to the period.

    • Local / Regional / National / International Importance close

      Not assessed

  • close Site Detail

    • District Plan Number

      11/ 115

    • Legal Description

      Lot 40 DP 1087

    • Heritage New Zealand Listed

      2/ 4965

    • Archaeological Site

      None

    • Current Uses

      unknown

    • Former Uses

      unknown

    • Has building been funded

      No

    • Funding Amount

      Not applicable

    • Earthquake Prone Status

      Not Earthquake Prone

  • close Additional Information
    • Sources close
      • Kelly, Michael, and Chris Cochrane, ‘11 Farm Road’. Unpublished heritage assessment. Prepared for the Wellington City Council, 2001.
      • 1980 13 Farm Road, dwelling additions and alterations (00058:1254:C53265)
      • 2009 13 Farm Road, install firebox (00078:2778:191000) Criteria for assessing cultural heritage significance
    • Technical Documentation close
    • Footnotes close

      Not available

Last updated: 10/6/2017 1:38:51 AM