The Wedge

• 1906
• Construction (00053:126:7030)
• 1979
• Alteration of basement (00058: 1194: C51270)
• 1988
• Alterations (00059: 182: D8917)

• 1906
• Mr A. Betts
• 1970
• Margaret and Christopher Cochran

Not assessed

The faceted shape of the building creates visual interest, and there is no doubt that there are equally interesting, if somewhat tight, interior spaces. The building occupies a prominent position in Thorndon and makes a substantial contribution to the townscape.

The house rests on a concrete retaining wall and concrete piles and is constructed of native timbers - Totara, Matai and Rimu. The house is clad with rusticated weatherboards with timber corner boards. The windows are double-hung sashes and the gables and porches are decorated with moulded timber.

Timber framing and sheathing; mass concrete retaining wall to west elevation and concrete piles elsewhere; corrugated iron roof.

Perched on the western side of the rise that Glenbervie Terrace dissects, The Wedge is a prominent structure in the Thorndon townscape. Viewable from Tinakori Road, the houses’ broad western face gives it an eye-catching quality.

The Wedge sits within the boundaries of Residential ‘E’ Zone. Centred around the streets of Glenbervie Terrace, Ascot Street, Sydney Street West, and Parliament Street, the E Zone is a heritage preservation mechanism implemented by Wellington City Council in 1973 after lobbying from the Thorndon Society, a heritage enthusiast group. Indeed, the present owners took an active part in the campaign to save this area.

• 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 Wedge has architectural significance for two main reasons. Firstly, it is the design (and was once the property of) James Bennie, an important Wellington, and indeed, New Zealand, architect. Secondly, the house is an architectural achievement; The Wedge is a unique, attractive, home built on very difficult topography.

• 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 Wedge is part of the Thorndon heritage protection area Residential ‘E’ Zone.

• 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 Wedge is a prominent building in Thorndon, and it makes a valuable contribution to the Thorndon townscape.

• Association

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

  The Wedge has some historical significance for its association with the architect James Bennie. Bennie designed and owned the building from 1906-1943.

• Archaeological

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

  This building is included in the NZAA Central City Archaeological Area R27/270 and is located in an area known to be associated with pre 1900 human activity.

• IdentitySenseOfPlaceContinuity

  Is the item a focus of community, regional, or national identity? Does the item contribute to sense of place or continuity?

  The Wedge contributes to a sense of continuity in Thorndon and Wellington. Built in 1906, The Wedge shows how Wellington architects have been dealing with the city’s topography for a long time, and often succeeding in doing so.

• Public Esteem

  Is the item held in high public esteem?

  The Wedge was one of the properties at the centre of the creation of Residential ‘E’ Zone. The Zone’s continuing place in the preservation of Thorndon means that The Wedge is held in public esteem.

• Local Regional National International

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

  The house is important at a local level.

• Rare

  Is the item rare, unique, unusual, seminal, influential, or outstanding?

  The house is unique as an early example of a Wellington structure adapting to difficult topography.

Not assessed

• Black, Jane, Michael Kelly, and Chris Cochran. ‘Thorndon Heritage Project’. Report prepared for the Wellington City Council, December 2008
• Cochran, Chris. ‘Proposal for Classification, Buildings Classification Committee Report’. New Zealand Historic Places Trust. July 1987
• New Zealand Historic Places Trust. ‘Thorndon Walk’. Wellington Regional Committee, 1978
• The Wedge – 20 Glenbervie Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington’, accessed September 2013
• ____. ‘Architect – Bennie, James’. Last accessed September 2013
• Porter, Frances (Ed.). Historic Buildings of New Zealand: North Island. Auckland, 1979
• Wellington City History Newspaper Articles. Alexander Turnbull Library. Vol 7, pp181-82; Vol 10, pp19-20
• 00053:126:7030
• 00058: 1194: C51270
• 00059: 182: D8917

Not available

Not available