Masonic Hall (Former)

• 1924
• Foundation stone laid (14 November)
• 1924 - 1925
• Building constructed (00055:38:A3549)
• unknown
• Alterations to interior layout of lean-to (2009 plans prepared by Russell Murray indicate there is now a kitchen and toilets in the original cloak room, and a utility area in the original kitchen. Also some modifications to the original urinal on the south-east corner)
• 2009
• Proposals to remove asphalt on lean to roof, reinstate corrugated metal roofing as per original design drawings, and re-form box gutters. Add some clear roofing in the entry foyer to improve lighting, adding some insulation, installing new ribbon plates under the rafters.

• 1924 - 1974
• Masonic Lodge Masonic Lodge (also used by the community)
• 1975
• Viceroy Antiques
• 1981
• Day care centre and drop-in centre
• 1985
• Private residence and studio

Not assessed

The former Masonic Lodge at 221 Clyde Street is a large two-storey masonry block, predominately finished in render. The design has a strong Arts and Crafts influence that can be read in its basic proportions, restricted palette of contrasting materials, and in some of the key features of the exterior. The building has two street-facing facades, the principal façade is the west elevation that faces Clyde Street, and a secondary façade to the north faces Brighton Street.

The main elevation has a prominent half-hipped roof that rests on heavy timber brackets that are engaged into the shallow pilasters of the first floor brickwork panel below. The brickwork panel has a distinctive central oculus window that is glazed with a lead-lighted Masonic symbol. The panel is flanked by two narrow, rectangular ‘arrow-slit’ windows that are set in the rendered wall. The front window at the ground floor is a tripartite arrangement with an elliptically arched brow moulding, supported on projecting square cornels. To the right of this (on the south elevation) is the lean-to annexe, which contains the main door. The door is set under a moulded parapet, with the Masonic device worked into the centre of this.

The simpler, secondary elevation to the north features a row of small windows set high under the eaves at first floor level, and these line through with a row of somewhat taller windows that are set close to ground level. The south elevation is set with a similar row of small windows under the eaves, above the leant-to annexe. The rear (east) elevation is a plain gable end with a parapet, set with a row of single small rectangular windows at ground floor, and a roof-vent in the gable.

Two-storey brick building, plastered. Concrete foundations and exterior steps. Reinforced concrete lintels and columns. The main building is roofed with corrugated asbestos, while the lean-to has modern colour steel (2009). The ground floor joists, wall and sleeper plates, bond timbers and strappings are heart totara or jarrah, door and window frames are heart totara, and finishing timber is heart rimu. The ground floorboards are matai, while the upstairs are jarrah.

The hall is located on a prominent corner site with frontage on to Clyde Street and Brighton Street. The surrounding buildings are predominately single storey timber houses. The exception is the immediate neighbour to the south, no. 223 Clyde Street, which is a c1900 two-storey shop/dwelling.

• 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?

  221 Clyde Street is an unusual, two-storey former Masonic Lodge that was designed in an Arts and Crafts style.

• 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 occupies a prominent corner site and is a landmark in Island Bay. It is an imposing and austere building that dominates the surrounding suburban streetscape.

• Association

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

  This hall has some local historical significance to the Island Bay community and in particular for former members of Masonic lodge, No.243, now permanently closed.

  The hall also has historic significance for its association with Lord Jellicoe who was the Master of this lodge when it was first formed (later Grand Master of the Masonic Lodge in New Zealand, and Governor General).

  
  

• Archaeological

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

  Risk unknown – close proximity to Maori sites of significance (M82, M83, M84, M85)

• 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 has been a familiar structure on Humber and Clyde Streets since the mid-1920s and contributes to the sense of place and continuity in Island Bay.

• 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 exterior façade of this building remains largely intact with a high level of original building fabric, despite modifications to the lean-to.

• 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 significance to the Island Bay community

Not assessed

• Kelly, Michael. Shops, 121-155 The Parade, Island Bay, unpublished report prepared for Wellington City Council, 2007
• Murray, Russell. Former Masonic Hall: Assessment of Effects Proposed Re-roofing Work, resource consent application prepared for Joe Bleakley, September 30, 2009.
• McGibbon, Ian. “Jellicoe, John Henry Rushworth - biography,” from the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated October 30, 2012
• Weston R.C.G., Centennial History of the New Zealand Pacific Lodge No.2 1842-1942, 1942, Wellington p321
• “221 Clyde Street, hall,” 1924, 00055:38:A3549, Wellington City Archives
• CT 321/288, Land Information New Zealand
• SR 201824, SR201929
• “Masonic Grand Lodge,” Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 130, 29 November 1922, Page 9
• Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 103, 2 May 1923, Page 2 (Advertisements Column 7)
• “A New Hall,” Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 119, 15 November 1924, Page 7
• Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 10, 11 July 1925, Page 5 (Advertisements Column 7)
• Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 28, 1 August 1925, Page 4
• “Island Bay Concert,” Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 42, 18 August 1925, Page 3
• Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 46, 22 August 1925, Page 5 (Advertisements Column 7)
• Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 143, 17 June 1926, Page 16 (Advertisements Column 7)
• Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 60, 20 September 1928, Page 22 (Advertisements Column 8)
• “For Gallantry at Wreck of Progress,” Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 54, 4 March 1932, Page 5

Not available

Not available