Pendennis

• 1877
• Construction
• 1922
• Additions, alterations
• 1937
• Addition (shed)
• 2010
• Upgrade to bathroom, installation of safety glass
• 1924
• Additions, Alterations
• 1927
• Additions, Alterations
• 1924
• Additions, alterations

• unknown
• (not fully assessed)
• 1877 - 1893
• William Levin
• 1982
• -Current Te Poari Mihingare Pariha

Not assessed

Pendennis could be considered a simplified and unique interpretation of the Victorian Italianate style. Its asymmetrical massing, bracketed eaves, faceted bays, grouped openings and pyramid roof on the large roof light are all elements commonly associated with this style. However, often a tower was employed in Italianate buildings - a device used to give the building landmark qualities. The large roof light on Pendennis is perhaps a concession to this.

Rusticated timber weatherboards and joinery, corrugated steel roofing.

Pendennis is located on the western side of Burnell Avenue, though the section runs through to Grant Road. A wide, quiet cul-de-sac, Burnell Avenue was only formed late 1897 or early 1898, twenty years after Pendennis’ construction. The houses in the street are almost all to a high standard, with Pendennis being the stand-out structure on the street. As the largest house, and on the raised, western side, Pendennis dominates the streetscape.

• 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?

  Pendennis has architectural value for its association with the important Wellington architect Francis Petre. The house is an attractive design in a simplified Victorian Italianate style. Of particular interest is the large roof light, especially prominent in the rear view of the building from Grant Road.

• 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?

  Pendennis is the most impressive, and imposing, building on Burnell Avenue, thus giving it significant streetscape value. The house’s presence is emphasised by its location on the raised side of the street.

• Association

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

  Pendennis is associated with early Thorndon and the propriety that grew there. In its later role as a boarding house for Maori women from the 1950s onward, it also has historical association with the urban drift that many Maori experienced in the mid-twentieth century.
  
  

• Association

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

  Pendennis has considerable historical value. It was designed by Francis Petre, one of early Wellington’s important architects, for William Hort Levin, one of early Wellington’s most successful businessmen, and for whom the town of Levin is named. And as a boarding house, it has been home to generations of young Maori women moving to Wellington for work and education.
  
  

• Archaeological

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

  Pendennis has archaeological value as it is a pre-1900 building.

• 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?

  Pendennis makes a contribution to both place and a sense of continuity in Thorndon. Built in 1877, it has obvious age value, and it is a link back to Thorndon’s early existence and a reminder of the suburb’s prosperous beginnings.

• Symbolic Commemorative Traditional Spiritual

  Does the item have symbolic, commemorative, traditional, spiritual or other cultural value for the community who has used and continues to use it?

  Having been the home of generations of Maori women moving to Wellington, Pendennis likely has significant social value for those who lived there while they were finding their feet.

• 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?

  Pendennis retains functional use values and authenticity of design, materials, and workmanship.

• Representative

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

  Pendennis is representative of the large late nineteenth century grand houses of Thorndon.

• Importance

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

  Pendennis is important at a regional level.

Not assessed

• Black, Jane, Chris Cochran, and Michael Kelly. ‘Thorndon Heritage Project’. For Wellington City Council, 2009
• Derby, Mark. 'Daily life in Māori communities – te noho a te hapori - Daily life in modern Māori communities'. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Updated 9 July 2013, last accessed October 2013, at
• Lowe, R.J. ‘Historical background to the North Thorndon walk: Part I: Hobson Street, Hobson Crescent and Fitzherbert Terrace’. Adapted from a feature originally published in Thorndon News, Issue 128, November 2001, pp 3-7.
• Ormsby, Louise. ‘The Historic Context and Heritage Values of Thorndon’. Report prepared for the Wellington City Council. August 2009.
• Te Ao Hou. No. 16, October 1956
• Wellington City Council. ‘House – 15 Burnell Avenue’. In Heritage Inventory 1995. WCC.

• Inventory Report

Not available