Shop / Dwelling

• 1900
• Built (WC Archives, 00053:59:3687)
• 1980
• Alterations & additions (WC Archives, 00058:1253:C53233)
• 2005
• New concrete foundations constructed (new site, 270-272 Cuba St)
• 2005
• First half of the building (291) relocated across the street
• 2005
• Party wall constructed
• 2005
• Second half of building (289) relocated across the street
• 2005
• Restoration works commenced
• 2006
• Restoration works completed

Not assessed

Not assessed

The facade is Edwardian Commercial, with plain arched windows, double hung, and a simple cornice above. The facade is divided asymmetrically by the fire wall and each section is capped with an arched parapet. The bull-nosed verandah is an authentic Edwardian element.

The construction is timber frame clad in rusticated weatherboards, with brick fire walls and chimneys. The piles are totara, and the roof is clad in corrugated iron.

The building was moved in 2005 and the new inner city bypass (Karo Drive) was created through the original site. As such, the original setting and context for this building has been lost.

The building now occupies a prominent site on the route of the new inner city bypass, separated from the corner of Cuba Street and Karo Drive to the south by 274 Cuba Street, a small one-roomed shop which was moved from 272 Cuba. To the north the building now forms the southern side of the new “Tonks Grove”.

On the northern corner of Tonks Grove and Cuba Street is no. 268 Cuba Street, which was moved 30 metres north along Cuba Street to its present location in 2005. Built in 1902, no. 268 Cuba is a two-storey shop/dwelling of the same scale as no. 270-272.

Directly across the road from no. 270-272, at no. 287, is the buildings former neighbour. This two storey shop/dwelling which dates to 1899 is set back from the street front, which is occupied by two shops built in 1923. The southern side of no. 287, which was always set against no. 270-272, is now exposed to the motorway.

To the south, the final block of upper Cuba Street contains a high concentration of heritage buildings. Predominantly two-storied, these buildings include several Edwardian timber and masonry commercial buildings, including the Thistle Hall and the Moran building. The oldest building on Cuba Street is found on this block at no. 282. The very rare 1869 cottage is obscured from the street behind a 1930s addition.

• 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?

  270-272 Cuba Street is a good representative example of an Edwardian shop/residence. The building has been relocated and restored, and its exterior appearance is a near-facsimile of the original.

• 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 building is one of a group of Edwardian commercial buildings which make a positive contribution to the character of the Cuba Street Heritage Area.

• 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 scale, materials and style of this building contribute to the townscape of Cuba Street. The building maintains the pattern of a two-storied Edwardian shop/residence with a verandah, which defines the character of Cuba Street.

• Association

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

  The building has historic value for its association with the architect Thomas Turnbull.

• Association

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

  The building also has historic value for its association with the strong growth and development of Cuba Street during the Edwardian period, which resulted in the building of many fine commercial buildings.

• Archaeological

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

  The site has been much disturbed by 2006 road-works but is located within the Central City NZAA R27/270.

• 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?

  Despite being relocated, this building is part of a group of Edwardian commercial buildings on Cuba Street which contribute to the sense of place and continuity of the Cuba Street Heritage Area.

• Sentiment Connection

  Is the item a focus of community sentiment and connection?

  The heritage properties around upper Cuba Street, Abel Smith, Tonks Avenue and upper Willis Street that were affected by the Wellington Inner City Bypass route were a focus of strong community sentiment. This can be seen from the objections raised to the demolition of heritage properties in the proposed roading scheme that was referred to the Environment Court.

• 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 façade of this building retains authenticity of design, and was restored on its new site in 2005/6.

• Local Regional National International

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

  This building is of local importance for its contribution to the Cuba Street Heritage Area.

• Representative

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

  The building is representative of the architecture and history found on Cuba Street.

Not assessed

• Cochran, Chris, Turnbull House Conservation Plan (Wellington: Department of Conservation, 1991), 19.
• Historic Places Trust, 289-291 Cuba Street [Relocated to 270-272 Cuba Street], WELLINGTON, accessed 14 January 2013,
• Historic Places Trust, “Turnbull, Thomas - Architect”, Professional Biographies, accessed September 25, 2012,
• Historic Places Trust, “Turnbull, William (1868-1914) - Architect”, Professional Biographies, accessed September 25, 2012,
• NZ Transport Agency, “289-291 Cuba Street,” Wellington Inner City Bypass, accessed January 14 2013,
• NZ Transport Agency, “272 Cuba Street,” Wellington Inner City Bypass, accessed January 14 2013,
• Wellington City Council, “289-291 Cuba Street,” Wellington Heritage Building Inventory 2001: Non-Residential Buildings. (Wellington City Council, 2001), CUBA 39.

• Inventory Report
• 1900 specifications and plans

Not available