House

• 1934
• 62 Majoribanks Street, dwelling (00056:142:B12844)
• 1960
• 62 Majoribanks Street, convert dwelling to 2 flats (00058:144:C6812)
• 1974
• 62 Majoribanks Street, flat alterations (00058:893:C39689)
• 1996
• 62 Majoribanks Street, dwelling alterations (00078:662:22309)

• unknown
• Not Assessed

Not assessed

This house is a superb example of the early use of Georgian Revival style in Wellington and New Zealand. It is a house of clean profiles in which a dominant façade is set facing the street and the rest of the house steps back, discreetly, behind. The outline of the hipped roof is echoed in the wing beyond with an identical chimney. It is a high quality design with a detailed canopy over the bay window, flanked on either side by two corner downpipes. The downpipes are copper and are inscribed with the building’s date of construction. The roofing over the central bay window is clad in sheet copper, where the rest of the roof is clad in Marseille tile.

Painted cement render

Marseille tile

Painted timber joinery

Copper downpipes and roofing above bay window

This is a prominent building that occupies a raised site in a busy residential area of Wellington. Majoribanks Street is made up of dwellings, many of a similar size, style, and age as this one.

• 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 superb example of the early use of Georgian Revival style in Wellington and New Zealand. It is a house of clean profiles in which a dominant façade is set facing the street and the rest of the house steps back, discreetly, behind.

• 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 is a prominent building that occupies a raised site in a busy residential area of Wellington that contributes significant visual interest to the streetscape.

• Association

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

  This house is associated with the Downes family and the work of a prominent architectural practice. Its history is modest, and is representative of many inner city dwellings in Wellington.

• Archaeological

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

  The risk of discovery is unknown. There is pre 1900 activity associated with the site, and there has been more than one building on the property.

Not assessed

• 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 house has had few modifications and maintains a high level of authenticity of design, craftsmanship, workmanship, and setting.

• 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 important for its architectural and aesthetic qualities, its historic associations, as a representative of its style, and for its significant authenticity and retention of original features.

• Representative

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

  This house is an early example of what would become an important and popular residential style, Georgian Revival, and is a good representative of the style. It has had a modest but representative history.

Not assessed

• Wellington City Council. Wellington Heritage Building Inventory 2001: unpublished heritage assessment. Wellington City Council, 2001.
• 1934 62 Majoribanks Street, dwelling (00056:142:B12844)
• 1960 62 Majoribanks Street, convert dwelling to 2 flats (00058:144:C6812)
• 1974 62 Majoribanks Street, flat alterations (00058:893:C39689)
• 1996 62 Majoribanks Street, dwelling alterations (00078:662:22309)

• Inventory Report

Not available