Commercial Building

• 1906
• Building constructed
• 1930
• Verandah replaced. (00056:107:B9800)
• 1936
• Alterations to the shop front. (00056:173:B15313)
• 1974
• Café alterations. (00058:957:C42028)
• 1977
• Two toilets installed. (00058:1102:C47647)
• 1993
• Verandah altered and repaired, building strengthened. (00060:10:378)
• 1997
• Additions to first floor area and new internal stairs. (00078:844:29338)
• 2006
• Restaurant additions and alterations. (00078:2046:141840)

• 1910 - 1925
• Pastry Cook
• 1930 - 1935
• Furnishing House
• 1940 - 1945
• Restaurant
• 1950 - 1985
• Cafe
• 1990
• Restaurant
• 2012
• Bar

Not assessed

No. 28 Courtenay Place is a diminutive two storey Edwardian Classical building enriched with an abundance of Classical ornamentation. There are four pairs of Corinthian pilasters at first floor level, with a broad semi-circular window in the middle bay and a smaller one on either side. There is a shallow segmental arch above the middle window with a decorative wreath of fruit and flowers and the top of the parapet is adorned with an urn on a pedestal. The urn is a rare survivor in this earthquake-prone city. The building has one of the most decorative facades in Courtenay Place, and it contributes to an important group of two storey buildings between Allen and Blair Streets.

The ground floor shop fronts are a sensitive and well-designed modern alteration.

No. 28 is located in a block of four buildings on the northern side of Courtenay Place bounded by Allen and Blair Streets. All four buildings in this block are two-storeys. Two of the buildings – No. 24 and No.28 – were built particularly early.

At the eastern end of the block is the modest, two-storey Hummingbird Eatery and Bar. Adjacent to this is No. 24 which, constructed in 1894, has a simple but handsome symmetrical façade. On the western side of No. 28 and on a corner site bounded by Allen Street is another of the oldest buildings in Courtenay Place, dating from 1901 and has an elegantly simple presence.

The buildings, taken as a group, are mainly commercial in nature and wider setting of Courtenay Place Heritage Area bustles with eateries, banks and small businesses. As a group they contribute to the streetscape and character of the Courtenay Place Heritage Area. 

• 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?

  This building is designed in the Edwardian Classical style and has one of the most ornate facades in Courtenay Place.

• 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?

  It contributes to an important group of two storey buildings on Courtenay Place, between Allen and Blair Streets.

  The building is part of an important group of heritage buildings which together form the Courtenay Place Heritage Area. Although most of the buildings were constructed in the first half of the 20^th century, there are significant differences in age and style among some of the buildings in this group.

• 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 makes a contribution to the character of the streetscape.

• Association

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

  This building is associated with the commercial growth of Courtenay Place and the Wellington CBD.

• Association

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

  The building was designed by notable architects Farr & Bennie.

  The building has been in commercial use since it was built and counts notable Wellingtonian businessmen Thomas Rowell and George Browne amongst its previous occupants.

• 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.

• 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 part of the streetscape of Courtenay Place for over 100 years and contributes to the sense of place and continuity for the Courtenay Place Heritage 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?

  The façade retains authenticity in design, craftsmanship and materiality.

  
  

• Local

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

  The building has local importance as contributes to the Courtenay Place Heritage Area.

Not assessed

• CT WN27A/562, Land Information New Zealand
• Cyclopedia Co. Ltd. “Rowell and Son.” In The Cyclopedia of New Zealand: Wellington Provincial District, Wellington: The Cyclopedia Company Limited, 1897. Accessed: August 15, 2012.
• Kelly, Michael and Murray Russell, Wellington City Council, Courtenay Place Heritage Area Report. Welllington City Council: Unpublished report, prepared for Plan Change 48, 2006.
• Wellington City Council, Wellington Heritage Building Inventory 1995. Wellington City Council, 1995.
• Wellington City Council, Wellington Heritage Building Inventory 2001: Non-Residential Buildings. Wellington City Council, 2001.
• Wellington City Council, Courtenay Place Heritage Area spreadsheet. Wellington City Council: Unpublished report, prepared for Plan Change 48, 2006.
• 28 Courtenay Place - verandah alterations”, 1930, 00056:107:B9800, Wellington City Archives.
• 28 Courtenay Place - alterations to premises”, 1936, 00056:173:B15313, Wellington City Archives.
• “28 Courtenay Place - café alterations”, 1974, 00058:957:C42028, Wellington City Archives.
• “28 Courtenay Place - 2 toilets”, 1977, 00058:1102:C47647, Wellington City Archives.
• “28 Courtenay Place – alterations”, 1993, 00060:10:378, Wellington City Archives.
• 28 Courtenay Place - additions to first floor area at Kitty O'Shea's”, 1997, 00078:844:29338, Wellington City Archives.
• 28 Courtenay Place - restaurant additions and alterations”, 2006, 00078:2046:141840, Wellington City Archives.
• “Courtenay Place Specials”, Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 66, 18 March 1936.
• “Funeral Notices”, Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 119, 21 May 1940.
• “Personal Items”, Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2753, 24 April 1916.

• Inventory Report
• 1904 drainage plan

Not available