Commercial Building

• 1908
• 86-88 Manners Street, alterations and additions (00053:146:8107)
• 1938
• 88 Manners Street, additions and alterations to business premises (00056:216:B18533)
• 1939
• 88 Manners Street, alterations (00056:219:B18702)
• 1940
• 88 Manners Street, erect sign (00056:247:B20529)
• 1944
• 88 Manners Street, earthquake damage (00056:290:B23163)
• 1946
• 88 Manners Street, kitchen bake house and storeroom (00056:315:B2471)
• 1949
• 88 Manners Street, sign (00056:367:B28220)
• 1955
• 88 Manners Street, alterations to restaurant (00056:518:B38634)
• 1960
• 88 Manners Street, shop alterations (00058:135:C6468)
• 1978
• 86-88 Manners Street, bank alterations (00058:1183:C50877)
• 1982
• 86-88 Manners Street, retail shop alterations (00058:0:C60166)
• 1989
• 88 Manners Street, business additions and alterations - restauran (00059:328:E18501)
• 1990
• 88 Manners Street, recreation building additions and alterations (00059:352:E19140)
• 1990
• 88 Manners Street, business additions and alterations (00059:425:E2135
• 2000
• 88 Manners Street, restaurant fitout (00078:505:67676)
• 2000
• 88 Manners Street, seismic strengthening of existing premises (00078:544:63487)
• 2001
• 88 Manners Street, new egress / entrance door (00078:813:80575)
• 2004
• 88 Manners Street, sign board (00078:1206:112767)
• 2011
• 88 Manners Street, Renovation of commercial kitchen - Level 2 (rear tenancy), removal of secondary access to Manners Street, main access is Christeson Lane at rear of building, size of kitchen area reduced providing more space to front tenancy (00078:4336:229488)

• unknown
• Not assessed

Not assessed

This building is a good example of an Edwardian commercial building with a well proportioned façade that features some spare Classical detailing. While this building now has a relatively plain façade, with detailing and ornamentation confined to the 1908 additional second floor, the 1908 designs show a lively façade that featured detailed arched windows capped with cement rendered voissoirs and keystones flanked by short pilasters topped by decorative finials. The drawing also shows that the first floor facade was similarly detailed and featured a row of arched (rather than square headed) windows. The floor levels are defined by a fairly plain cornice, but the building is capped by an entablature with dentils, a balustraded parapet, and a plain stepped cornice that is a later addition. The second floor arched windows and decorative finials were removed, and the plain stepped cornice added, in 1944 as part of repair work following the 1942 Wairarapa earthquake. These changes were made to the designs of architectural firm Gray Young, Morton, and Young.

Concrete

Steel stancheons and beams

Brick

Timber: joists, studs, roofing, flooring, windows

This building is situated on the formerly pedestrian only Manners Street (formerly Manners Mall). It is one of few early 20th century buildings remaining on this part of Manners Street and it contributes significantly to the sense of place and continuity in the central city. This building is an important part of the Manners streetscape and makes a contribution to the setting of Manners, Cuba, and Dixon streets, and more widely Courtenay Place where more buildings of this type survive.

• 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 a good example of an Edwardian commercial building with a well proportioned façade that features some elegant Classical detailing.

• 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 building is an important part of the Manners streetscape and makes a contribution to the setting of Manners, Cuba, and Dixon streets, and more widely Courtenay Place where more buildings of this type survive. It contributes significantly to the sense of place and continuity in the central city as one of the few early twentieth century buildings on this part of Manners Street.

• Association

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

  While little more is known of this buildings history, its style, type of construction, and materials are representative of a typical commercial building of the day and the additions and modifications represent the changing needs of the owners/occupants. It is associated with the architects responsible for additions and alterations (and possibly the original design) Thomas Turnbull and Son.

• 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. It is of unknown archaeological value.

• 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 contributes significantly to the sense of place and continuity in the central city as one of the few early twentieth century buildings on this part of Manners Street.

• 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?

  This building has been through a number of alterations since its construction. The interior has been significantly altered as has the exterior. The most authenticity has been retained by the 1908 addition.

• Local Regional National International

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

  This house is locally significant for its architectural, and townscape values, its historic associations, and its archaeological values. 

• Representative

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

  This house is a good representative of an Edwardian commercial building, built in materials and using techniques common to the period. It has had a modest and representative history for a commercial building.

Not assessed

• Cochran, Chris. ‘Turnbull House Conservation Plan.’ Wellington: Department of Conservation, 1991.
• Historic Places Trust. “Turnbull, Thomas – Architect.” Professional Biographies, accessed September 25, 2012,
• Historic Places Trust. “Turnbull, William (1868-1914) – Architect.” Professional Biographies, accessed September 25, 2012,
• Land Info NZ: CT 135/206
• 1908 86-88 Manners Street, alterations and additions (00053:146:8107)
• 1938 88 Manners Street, additions and alterations to business premises(00056:216:B18533)
• 1939 88 Manners Street, alterations (00056:219:B18702)
• 1940 88 Manners Street, erect sign (00056:247:B20529)
• 1944 88 Manners Street, earthquake damage (00056:290:B23163)
• 1946 88 Manners Street, kitchen bake house and storeroom (00056:315:B2471)
• 1949 88 Manners Street, sign (00056:367:B28220)
• 1955 88 Manners Street, alterations to restaurant (00056:518:B38634)
• 1960 88 Manners Street, shop alterations (00058:135:C6468)
• 1978 86-88 Manners Street, bank alterations (00058:1183:C50877)
• 1982 86-88 Manners Street, retail shop alterations (00058:0:C60166)
• 1989 88 Manners Street, business additions and alterations - restaurant(00059:328:E18501)
• 1990 88 Manners Street, recreation building additions and alterations(00059:352:E19140)
• 1990 88 Manners Street, business additions and alterations (00059:425:E21356
• 2000 88 Manners Street, restaurant fitout (00078:505:67676)
• 2000 88 Manners Street, seismic strengthening of existing premises(00078:544:63487)
• 2001 88 Manners Street, new egress / entrance door (00078:813:80575)
• 2004 88 Manners Street, sign board (00078:1206:112767)
• 2011 88 Manners Street, Renovation of commercial kitchen - Level 2 (rear tenancy), removal of secondary access to Manners Street, main access is Christeson Lane at rear of building, size of kitchen area reduced providing more space to front tenancy (00078:4336:229488)

• Inventory Report
• 1908 specifications and drawings
• 1944 specifications and drawings

Not available