Belvedere

• 1937 - 1938
• Building constructed (00056:198:B17239)
• 1998
• Refurbished (exterior and interior). Upgrade of plumbing, replacement of baths with showers, renew kitchen joinery and sinks (00078:665:33959, SR 33959)
• 1998
• Entranceway altered – new wrought iron work Entranceway altered – new wrought iron work (WCC Records, 1041-06-MAJ82)

• 1938
• Various rental tenants since 1938.

Not assessed

Belvedere is a poured in–situ concrete building, built up to the street boundaries on the corner of Austin and Majoribanks Streets. It is three storeys high on Austin Street, and the ground drops away on the Majoribanks side to allow seven garages to be built into the basement space; there is a connecting stair from the garages to the entrances on Austin Street. On this side there are two wings with open walkways running between them at each level that give access to the flats.

The style of the building is streamlined Moderne, characterised in this case by the rounded corners, and a strong horizontal emphasis from the banding worked in the plaster finish, the proportions of the timber windows, and the flat roof parapet. The two entrance stairs are flanked by walls with curved tops, and a wrought iron railing that encloses a small garden. The north elevation (to Majoribanks Street) has the only strong vertical element, a triangular bay window reaching through all floors, a feature that was popular at the time. The building is relatively narrow, with each flat occupying the width of the building. The interior walls are also characterised by curves, and, being made of concrete, they have allowed relatively few changes, although the kitchens and bathrooms have been modernised. Otherwise other joinery and fittings are original.

Concrete foundations

Concrete and brick walls

Concrete roof

Timber windows

The building occupies a prominent corner site, and is elevated so that it commands views out over Courtenay Place and the city. Surrounding buildings are a mix of houses of different ages and design, and include a modern high density development on the opposite side of Austin Street. There is thus a wide range of residential buildings in the immediate 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?

  Belvedere has architectural value as a good example of the streamlined Moderne style, exhibiting as it does important features such as the curved corners and a strong horizontal emphasis. The design is the work of one of Wellington’s important architects, Edmond Anscombe, and provides an interesting comparison with other domestic buildings by him and of the same period.

• 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?

  Belvedere has group value as part of an area of inner city housing that has good representative examples of houses of different ages and design.

• 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?

  Belvedere has townscape value for its prominent corner site and its height.

• Association

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

  Belvedere has had an unremarkable history. It has not been associated with any significant historical persons nor has it been the scene of any unusual or important events. Probably its greatest claims to fame are its association with architect Edmund Anscombe and its occasional exposure on television. Its history is therefore typical and representative of many 20th century apartment buildings

  It is a good example of high density inner city housing of the 1930s, and in particular one that made proper provision for the garaging of motor cars.

  
  

• Archaeological

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

  Central City NZAA 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?

  Belvedere has had few intrusive modern alterations or additions over the past 70+ years and contributes to the sense of place and continuity of Mount Victoria.

• 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 exterior of the building remains in authentic condition, with most of the original architectural features and detailing still present.

• Local Regional National International

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

  Belvedere has local value for its contribution to the heritage of Mount Victoria and Wellington.

• Representative

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

  Belvedere is a representative example of high density inner city housing of the 1930s, and a good example of the streamlined Moderne style.

Not assessed

• Bowron, Greg. “Anscombe, Edmund”, from the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 30 October 2012,
• “Heritage building – 82 Majoribanks Street”, 1998, 1041-06-MAJ82, Wellington City Council Records.
• Kelly, Michael, and Chris Cochran, Belvedere: 82 Majoribanks Street, cnr. Austin Street, unpublished report prepared for Wellington City Council, 2001.
• New Zealand Historic Places Trust Professional Biographies, ‘Edmund Anscombe,’ accessed 21 March 2013,
• “Corner of Majoribanks and Austin Street [82 Majoribanks Street], flats”, November 5, 1937, 00056:198:B17239, Wellington City Archives.
• CT 440/51, Land Information New Zealand, Wellington
• Wises Street Directories, 1938-1976

Not available

Not available