Queen’s Picture Theatre (Former)

• 1915
• 181 Cuba Street, 24-26 Marion Street, picture theatre (00053:185:10199)
• 1943
• 181 Cuba Street, reinstate theatre (00056:284:B22779)
• 1957
• 181 Cuba Street, building alterations (00058:40:C2038)
• 1963
• 181 Cuba Street, building alterations – shop (00058:301:C13176)
• 1978
• 181 Cuba Street, building alterations - also cardock (00058:1145:C49393)
• 1984
• 181 Cuba Street, partitions, office work area, 2nd floor 00058:0:C65815)
• 1984
• 181 Cuba Street, Verandah (00058:0:C66482)
• 1984
• 181 Cuba Street, strengthen earthquake risk, building 6 (00058:0:C64177)
• 1985
• 181 Cuba Street, Business additions and alterations (00059:0:D786)
• 1996
• 181 Cuba Street, shop alterations (0060:211:355)

• 1920 - 1930
• Queen's Picture Theatre (Stones1920, 1925, 1930),
• 1935 - 1940
• Rex Picture Theatre (Stones1935, 1940),
• 1945 - 1951
• Time Picture Theatre (Stones1945, Wises1950-51)
• unknown
• Ceased theatre after this time
• 1920 - 1925
• Tenants included: Robert Johnston , chemist (Stones1920, 1925),
• 1920 - 1980
• Billiard Saloon (Stones 1920, 1925, 1930, 1935, 1940, 1945, Wises 1950-51, 1961-62, 1967-68, 1971-72, 1975), 1980,
• 1935 - 1951
• Harraps Ltd, watchmakers (Stones1935, 1940, 1945, Wises 1950-51),
• 1940 - 1955
• Simpson's Quality Grocers (Stones1940, 1945, Wises 1950-51, 1955),
• 1955 - 1962
• Davis Bros Furniture Warehouse (Stones1955, 1961-62),
• 1967 - 1972
• Various furniture shops (Wises1967-68, 1971-72),
• 1975 - 1980
• Littlejohn's Instruments (Wises1975, 1980),
• 1985 - 1990
• Konditorei Aida (Wises1985, 1990).

Not assessed

181 Cuba Street is a distinctive, albeit diminutive, two-storey Art Deco building that was once one of Wellington’s finest cinemas.

The exterior façade has been much altered, and most of the applied decorative elements have been removed. The remaining features include a tri-part pediment that sits above sweeping string-course. The symmetrical first floor façade (to some extent) resembles a human face with pair of arched window ‘eyes, a distinctive pair of ‘eye-brows’ and circular ‘bindi’ which give the building an anthropomorphic aspect that does not appear to be the architect’s original intent.

The building is distinctly Art Deco in style, and this can be seen in the stylised ‘static’ forms of the ornamentation that were based on Classical precedents. The sweeping curves of the façade do however hint at a more organic, Art Nouveau, inspiration, which has risen in prominence with the removal of the original ornament and decorative features.

The modern bull-nosed verandah is a modern reinterpretation of vernacular style. The original verandah was, however, a simple rectangular plane that was fixed to the façade with steel ties. The shop front and interior of the building have been extensively altered since the time of construction and retains little of their original integrity.

Masonry structure

Cement render

Steel joinery and detailing

This building is found in block 4 of Cuba Street, between Ghuznee and Vivian Streets, and is included in the Cuba Street heritage area. This area is made up of a variety of buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Most of these are commercial premises that have had a number of uses throughout their lifetimes. This block has only three buildings that date from the late 20th century.

• 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?

  181 Cuba Street is a pleasant, if much altered, example of an Art Deco cinema with some Art Nouveau influences. The first floor street façade is a lively and well-articulated composition that benefits from a well-conceived colour scheme.

• 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 two storey building is an important element in the historic area of Cuba Street and has high group value with the other buildings of the era in Cuba Street.

• 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 contributes to the character and sense of place of the Cuba Street Heritage Area

• Association

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

  This building was constructed as one of Wellington’s first movie-theatres and played an important social and historical role in early Wellington. It is associated with the Queen’s Theatre Co, and with James Bennie the architect who designed it.

• 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 in an area known to be associated with pre 1900 human activity (European and Maori).

• 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 building is an important part of the local community and makes a contribution to the wider setting of Cuba Street. It contributes significantly to the sense of place and continuity in the central city.

• 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 building has been through a number of alterations, losing its original ornamental elements some time in the 1930s. The remaining original materials have high authenticity value.

• 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 locally significant for its architectural, townscape, and group values, its historic associations, its archaeological values, and its authenticity. 

• Representative

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

  This building is a good example of an adapted Art Deco building constructed in materials and using techniques common to the period.

Not assessed

• Historic Places Trust, ‘James Bennie’, Professional Biographies, accessed 31 October 2013,
• Kelly, Michael, and Russell Murray. Cuba Street Heritage Area Report. Wellington City Council: Unpublished report, prepared for Plan Change 48, 2006.
• Wellington City Council. Cuba Street Heritage Area spreadsheet (blocks 1-3). Wellington City Council: Unpublished report, prepared for Plan Change 48, 2006.
• Wellington City Council. Wellington Heritage Building Inventory 1995. Wellington City Council, 1995.
• ‘Queen’s Picture Theatre’, Evening Post, 20 November 1916, Page 3, accessed 1 November 2013,
• 1915 181 Cuba Street, 24-26 Marion Street, picture theatre (00053:185:10199)
• 1943 181 Cuba Street, reinstate theatre (00056:284:B22779)
• 1957 181 Cuba Street, building alterations (00058:40:C2038)
• 1963 181 Cuba Street, building alterations – shop (00058:301:C13176)
• 1978 181 Cuba Street, building alterations - also cardock (00058:1145:C49393)
• 1984 181 Cuba Street, strengthen earthquake risk, building 6 (00058:0:C64177)
• 1984 181 Cuba Street, partitions, office work area, 2nd floor (00058:0:C65815)
• 1984 181 Cuba Street, Verandah (00058:0:C66482)
• 1985 181 Cuba Street, Business additions and alterations (00059:0:D786)
• 1996 181 Cuba Street, shop alterations (0060:211:355)

• Inventory Report
• 1915 plans

Not available