House

St Helens Maternity Hospital; Former Alcohol and Drug Dependence Centre; Gateway Community Development Trust; 265 Adelaide Road, Newtown

38a Colombo Street (265 Adelaide Road), Newtown, Wellington
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Image: WCC Heritage Inventory 1995
Image: WCC Heritage Inventory 1995
Image: Heritage New Zealand, 2011
Image: Heritage New Zealand, 2011
Cityview GIS 2013
Cityview GIS 2013
Map

  • Constructed

    c.1890

  • Architect(s)

    Unknown

  • Builder(s)

    Unknown

  • The St Helen's Maternity Hospital, which was established in 1905 as the first such government owned maternity hospital in the country, occupied this building from 1909-1912 while a purpose built maternity hospital was constructed.

    This building also has some historic value for its long use as an Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation Centre.

    This house is a good representative example of a large middle class residence built at the turn of the century. Symmetrical about the front entrance, it is notable for the corner bay windows and an interesting double-storey porch-balcony set under a projecting gable – an elegant feature of an otherwise minimally decorated façade.

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  • close History
    • It is unknown exactly when, or for whom, this house was initially built. Sources suggest it was built as a large middle class residence at the turn of the century.  

      It is known that by 1905 George Luke and Thomas Cooper owned several sections in Newtown, including the land this house was built on (section 941).   Luke and Cooper were builders and ran a business together until Luke’s death in 1915. Together they bought and developed sections around Wellington, building houses and then renting or selling them.  

      George Luke was well regarded in the community, as was evidenced by the turn out at his funeral (and subsequent media coverage).  George Luke had arrived in New Zealand with his parents and siblings from Cornwall in 1874. His father founded S. Luke and Co., who had a foundry in Te Aro on the site now known as Lukes Lane (near the Opera House). George Luke was the youngest son, and two of his older brothers served as Mayors of Wellington: Charles Manley Luke (1895), and John Pearce Luke (1913-1921). George Luke was a prominent member of the Brooklyn Masonic Lodge, and served as President of the Wellington Builders Association.  He was also a prominent member of the Webb Street Primitive Methodist Church, and with Thomas Cooper, he built this chapel.  Fittingly this was where his funeral service was held. Little is known of his business partner Thomas Cooper, except that he died in 1920.  

      In 1906 Luke and Cooper subdivided sections 941 and 943 into 11 lots, gradually selling some of them off. By 1908 Luke and Cooper had mortgaged the remaining lots to Sir Kenneth Douglas, a solicitor and money lender. 

      From 1909-1912 the house was occupied by St Helens Maternity Hospital, the country’s first government owned maternity hospital. St Helen’s was established in Wellington in 1905 by then Prime Minister the Right Hon R J Seddon.  The hospital was named after St Helens the town in Lancashire, where Seddon was born. Several St Helens Maternity Hospitals were set up throughout New Zealand, including in Dunedin, Christchurch, and Auckland. The hospitals were to provide specialised care at affordable prices, and also act as teaching hospitals, where pupil nurses could learn midwifery. 

      When the hospital was first established in 1905, it operated from a house leased by the government, located on the western side of Rintoul St, near Athletic Park.  By 1907 the hospital was very busy and the Rintoul Street property proved too small and unsuitable.  

      By March 1909 St Helens had moved to this house on Colombo Street, where it would remain until 1912 while a purpose built maternity hospital was constructed. While the Colombo Street house was much larger than the previous premises, it was not fit for purpose. An Evening Post article from 1912 reported that:

      The present maternity home in Colombo-street has been found unsuitable in many respects. There is no provision for the nurses, who have to live in a house on the other side of the street. Only fifteen patients can be accommodated. 

      In July 1912 the new St Helen’s Hospital was opened on Coromandel Street, Newtown.  It is assumed that after this time the house returned to residential use. 

      Luke and Cooper may have defaulted on their mortgage, as in 1914 Sir Kenneth Cooper sold Lot 8 and parts of Lots 2, 3 and 9 to Charles William MacLoughlin, a ‘metaphysician’.  At this time the legal access to Adelaide Road was lost. It is presumed that Charles and his wife Mary Livingston lived in the house  until Charles’ death in 1930.  After this time it is said that Mary ran the property as a boarding house,  however no evidence of this has been found to date.  In 1942 Mary Livingston-Maclaughlin died at Otaki Beach Hospital aged 78.  Ownership of the property passed to her daughter, Mary Smith and her husband Alfred Henry Smith.  The house was sold in 1946 and again in 1947.  In 1950 the property was bought by the Wellington Hospital Board.   In 1977, under the Hospital’s ownership, resource consent was granted for the house to be used as an Alcohol and Drug Dependence Centre.  It continued to be used as such until 1998 when it was sold to the Gateway Community Development Trust. At this time there was a change of use from consulting rooms to residential use. 

    • Modifications close
      • c.1900
      • Building constructed
      • 1967
      • Alterations – fire escape (00058:515:C25015)
      • 1978
      • Alterations and parking (00058:1168:C50281)
      • 1998
      • Change of use: from consulting rooms to residential use (00078:324:46997)
      • 1999
      • Internal wall upstairs (00078:327:52489)
      • 2012
      • Northern wall re-clad Northern wall re-clad (see SR 256396)
    • Occupation History close
      • c.1901 - 1909
      • Private residence
      • 1909 - 1912
      • St Helens Maternity Hospital (1995 Heritage Inventory)
      • 1912 - 1977
      • Private residence
      • 1977 - 1998
      • Alcohol & Drug Dependency Centre (Resource consent granted for this use in , SR49635)
      • 1977 - 1998
      • Alcoholism Assessment Centre (1976-77, 00001:464:6/5515)
      • 1977 - 1998
      • Alcoholic Centre (1976-1997, 00277:523:11)
      • 1998
      • Gateway Community Development Trust
  • close Architectural Information
    • Building Classification(s) close

      Not assessed

    • Architecture close

      This two-storey wooden dwelling is symmetrical about the front entrance, featuring corner bay windows and an interesting double-storey porch-balcony set under a projecting gable – an elegant feature of an otherwise minimally decorated façade. The building also features lead lights in some of the windows, plain bargeboards, and overhanging bracketed eaves.

    • Materials close

      Timber two-storey dwelling.

    • Setting close

      The house is located roughly in the middle of a large Newtown block (bordered by Riddiford St to Adelaide Rd and Colombo St to Hall St). Access was originally via Adelaide Road, however access is now from Colombo Street. The site is somewhat of a basin and is bounded on all edges with private lots and dwellings – so the site is not notably visible from surrounding streets and other public places.

  • close Cultural Value

    The St Helen's Maternity Hospital, which was established in 1905 as the first such government owned maternity hospital in the country, occupied this building from 1909-1912 while a purpose built maternity hospital was constructed.

    This building also has some historic value for its long use as an Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation Centre.

    This house is a good representative example of a large middle class residence built at the turn of the century. Symmetrical about the front entrance, it is notable for the corner bay windows and an interesting double-storey porch-balcony set under a projecting gable – an elegant feature of an otherwise minimally decorated façade.

    • Aesthetic Value close

      • 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 house is a good representative example of a large middle class residence built at the turn of the century. Symmetrical about the front entrance, it is notable for the corner bay windows and an interesting double-storey porch-balcony set under a projecting gable – an elegant feature of an otherwise minimally decorated façade.

      • 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?

        This house is not visible from the street

    • Historic Value close

      • Association

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

        The St Helen's Maternity Hospital, which was established in 1905 as the first such government owned maternity hospital in the country, occupied this building from 1909-1912 while a purpose built maternity hospital was constructed.

        This building also has some historic value for its long use as an Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation Centre.


    • Scientific Value close

      • Archaeological

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

        Pre-1900 house and located within the Central City NZAA R27/270

    • Social Value close

      Not assessed

    • Level of Cultural Heritage Significance close

      • 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 the building remains largely intact with a high level of original detailing, despite the modifications to northern wall which was re-clad in 2012.

      • 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, as it contributes to the history of Newtown.

      • Representative

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

        This house is a good representative example of a large timber villa built at the turn of the century.

    • Local / Regional / National / International Importance close

      Not assessed

  • close Site Detail

    • District Plan Number

      6/ 7

    • Legal Description

      Pt Lot 2 DP1670

    • Heritage New Zealand Listed

      2/Historic Place 3598

    • Archaeological Site

      Pre-1900 house and located within the Central City NZAA R27/270

    • Current Uses

      unknown

    • Former Uses

      unknown

    • Has building been funded

      No

    • Funding Amount

      Not applicable

    • Earthquake Prone Status

      To be assessed

  • close Additional Information
    • Sources close
      • “38 Colombo Street [38a Colombo Street], change of use from consulting rooms to residential usage”, 1998, (00078:324:46997), Wellington City Archives
      • Births, Deaths and Marriages Online, registration number 1930/1991,
      • NZHPT Field Record Form #3598
      • Wellington City Council, “Alcohol and Drug Dependence Centre, 265 Adelaide Road, Newtown,” Heritage Building Inventory: Volume A-C. Wellington City Council, 1995.
      • Evening Post, Volume LXI, Issue 116, 18 May 1901, Page 1
      • Free Lance, Volume IV, Issue 160, 25 July 1903, Page 20
      • “Maternity Hospital,” Evening Post, Volume LXIX, Issue 87, 13 April 1905, Page 6
      • “Land Transfer Act Notice,” Free Lance, Volume V, Issue 252, 29 April 1905, Page 9
      • “St. Helens Hospital,” Evening Post, Volume LXIX, Issue 123, 26 May 1905, Page 6
      • “Sick and infirm: Hospitals and charitable aid,” Evening Post, Volume LXXIV, Issue 44, 20 August 1907, Page 8
      • “Maternity Home,” Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 57, 9 March 1909, Page 7
      • “A Great Work,” Evening Post, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 2, 2 July 1912, Page 3
      • “Personal Matters,” Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 28, 3 February 1915, Page 8
      • “Mr. George Luke's Funeral,” Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 30, 5 February 1915, Page 8
      • “Deaths,” Evening Post, Volume XCIX, Issue 104, 3 May 1920, Page 1
      • “Deaths,” Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 116, 19 May 1942, Page 1
      • Certificates of Title
      • CT 141/43
      • CT 148/104
      • CT 161/208
      • CT 198/264
      • CT 224/42
      • WN44D/786
    • Technical Documentation close
    • Footnotes close

      Not available

Last updated: 4/20/2017 3:58:15 AM