Boat Sheds

• 1905 - 1905
• Sheds 2-13 and 38-49 constructed
• 1909 - 1909
• Shed 1 constructed as a toilet (western most shed)
• 1909 - 1909
• Boatsheds roofed with malthoid
• 1922 - 1922
• Sheds 14-27 constructed
• 1942 - 1942
• Temporary second storey built on sheds 38-49 (later removed)
• 1945 - 1945
• Timber partitions added to sheds 38-49

• 1905
• Rented by various tenants

Not assessed

Sheds 2-13, together with sheds 38-49, are the earliest buildings on the boat harbour. They are utilitarian structures, with no pretension of architectural greatness. Set on land reclaimed for the purpose, they are innovatively constructed entirely in concrete, with insitu floors, walls, roof trusses and roofs.

Sheds 2-13

The sheds start at the south-western end of the boat harbour towards the former Clyde Quay Wharf. The original arrangement in this area had a flight of steps at the southern end of shed 2 and an empty space to the sea-wall at the western edge of the boat harbour. Around 1908, this space was infilled with, effectively, 1½ sheds which provided toilet facilities for the boat harbour; these were designed in a style complimentary to the adjoining boat sheds. The steps were removed and the space made into a curious ½-width shed, again in a complimentary style some time after 1910.

The sheds are all conjoined with party walls, a box gutter above each; each shed has a simple gable roof, over-clad with a sheet membrane, a glazed steel-framed light in 3 sections set in the gable and a pair of large timber doors hung on strap hinges, painted a pale blue. Recessed panels in the concrete wall faces between the doors, picked out in alternating red and orange colours against the white walls, create a strong rhythmic pattern to the elevations, however, the strongest feature is the striking pattern made by the row of gable roofs, particularly in the context of the other sheds. The sheds run right to the seawall at the edge of Oriental Parade and are separated from the adjoining group of sheds to the east with a concrete access stair rising up to the footpath above.

The original drawings show additional elaboration to the sheds in the form of shingles to the gable ends and rain-heads and downpipes at each box gutter; it is evident from inspection of early photographs that these features never got off the drawing board, presumably for cost reasons.

Sheds 38-49

Sheds 38-49 were built at the same time and to the same specifications as sheds 2-13. The sheds run right back to the seawall at the edge of Oriental Parade and are separated from the adjoining RPNYC building to the west and the Coene sheds to the east by concrete access stairs rising up to the footpath above.

In 1945 timber partitions were built in to sheds 38-49 to increase the lettable capacity of the boat sheds, so that each leaf of each of the double doors opens into a half size shed. In all other respects, these sheds match those numbered 2 to 13.

Sheds 14-27

These sheds, numbered 14 – 27, are utilitarian structures, with no more pretension of architectural greatness than their earlier (1905) predecessors. They are constructed entirely in concrete, with in-situ floors, walls, roof trusses and roofs, generally following the pattern of the earlier sheds, with some differences of detail – the barges are moulded concrete plaster and the openings to the lights above the doors are gently arched. The sheds are each divided longitudinally with a brick partition such that each door opens on to one storage area.

The sheds are all conjoined with party walls, a box gutter above each; each shed has a simple gable roof, over-clad with a sheet membrane, an arched opening set in the gable, originally screened off with wrought iron grillage – some remain in situ, but there are many improvised grilles, and a pair of large timber doors hung on strap hinges. The strongest feature is the striking pattern made by the row of 13 gable roofs, particularly in the context of the other sheds. As with the other sheds, the predominant colour scheme is powder-blue joinery against white walls.

At the east, this group of sheds abuts the former Te Aro Sailing Club sheds. The sheds run right back to the Oriental Parade seawall and are separated from the adjoining group of original sheds to the west with a concrete access stair rising to the footpath above.

The sheds are innovatively constructed entirely in concrete, with in-situ floors, walls, roof trusses and roofs. Each shed has a pair of large timber doors hung on strap hinges. Sheds 2-13 and 38-49 have a glazed steel-framed light in 3 sections set in the gable, while sheds 14-27 have an arched opening set in the gable, originally screened off with wrought iron grillage.

The Clyde Quay boat harbour is a distinctive and unique Wellington landmark, set on the inner harbour beneath the hills of Mount Victoria. Bounded by the Freyberg Pool to the east and the (now demolished) Overseas Passenger Terminal to the west, it is a notable heritage area for its unique and quite authentic collection of heritage buildings, structures and objects. Until recently, it was the only marina in the inner Wellington harbour.

• 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 boat sheds are a good representative example of semi-industrial municipal buildings. Their simple repeating forms give the row of sheds a powerful architectural presence. The sheds remain little changed since they were built, and for this retain a high level of architectural authenticity.

• 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 three groups of boat sheds have high group value for their association to each other, and to the collection of other heritage buildings within the Clyde Quay 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 boat sheds are a distinctive landmark on Wellington’s waterfront. They have high townscape value for their simple repeating forms which have a powerful architectural presence.

• Association

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

  The boat sheds have a strong historic association with both the development of the harbour itself and boating in Wellington city. Sheds 2-13 and 38-49 were the first buildings constructed on the newly formed boat harbour in 1905.

• Association

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

  The boat sheds have historic value for their connection with the Wellington Harbour Board, their occupation by American forces during WWII, and the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club.
  

• Technological

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

  The boat sheds have technical interest as an early example of all-concrete construction.

• 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?

  The boat sheds have been in continuous use as boatsheds since 1905. They are an integral component of the heritage buildings, structures and objects that make up the Clyde Quay Boat Harbour Heritage Area. As such they contribute to the sense of place and continuity of the area.

• 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?

  Despite small changes over the years, the boat sheds remain largely intact with a high level of original building fabric.

• Importance

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

  The boat sheds are of local importance, as they contribute to the Clyde Quay Boat Harbour Heritage Area.

Not assessed

• Russell Murray, Clyde Quay Boat Harbour – Boat Sheds 1, 2-13, vXI. (Wellington City Council: Unpublished report, prepared for Plan Change 53, 2005)
• Russell Murray, Clyde Quay Boat Harbour – Boat Sheds 14-27, vXI. (Wellington City Council: Unpublished report, prepared for Plan Change 53, 2005)
• Russell Murray, Clyde Quay Boat Harbour – Boat Sheds 38-49, vXI. (Wellington City Council: Unpublished report, prepared for Plan Change 53, 2005)
• “Obituary,” Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 145, 21 June 1935, Page 11
• Evening Post, Volume LXXIV, Issue 149, 20 December 1907, Page 4

• Inventory Report
• 1900 drawings

Not available