Historic Significance

Historical Significance or Value This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. This report includes the text from the original Building Classification Committee report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. This terrace of houses was built in 1899 as a rental investment by the Dilworth Trust Board. The Trust had been established by James Dilworth in 1894 and his will provided for the establishment of a boys school on his property but not before the Trust had funds in hand to finance the building and an annual income for its operation. The school was established in 1906. Dilworth came to Auckland from Scotland in 1841 by way of Australia. He became a prominent landowner, businessman and politician. The terrace houses were designed for the relatively 'well off', and were large for the standards of the time. Many of the units were occupied by notable industrial and commercial persons of Auckland. For three years the noted photographer Henry Winkleman resided in No.5. From 1910-30 less affluent and non-professional persons acquired or lived in the houses. After World War II the premises became run-down, overcrowded and notorious. Some 300 persons are believed to have been crammed into the terrace at that time. In 1965 in the face of a threatened demolition order by the City Council, the buildings were renovated into 28 flats in order to reduce the total number of inhabitants. Since 1983 work has been continuing to return the terrace to eight quality dwellings.

Physical Significance

This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. This report includes the text from the original Building Classification Committee report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE: This Edwardian terrace of houses is a fine example of a building type which is relatively uncommon in New Zealand. There was no shortage of land in the cities so detached housing was the most common form. The design reflects the English tradition of siting houses on a rise with a main garden facade overlooking the view. Rows of multi-storey housing facing the sea were a feature of English coastal towns and generally were not found in the colonies. Deliberate symmetry was a feature of the Queen Anne style. Georgian and Victorian terrace housing on the other hand generally consisted of repeats of one basic unit and its mirror image. Mahoney has used differently sized gables, and hence differently sized units to create variation within the row. Terrace housing tended to have a similar form and plan layout. The main portion is generally two or three storeys. The single storey outhouses are back-to-back and form the backyards. The sloping site of the terraces, the private gardens overlooking St Georges Bay and the position of the right of way meant that the main entrances were through these yards. The design elements such as two storey verandahs, tiled roof and varying gables were probably taken from drawings of designs of Queen Anne style villas in English periodicals such as the Building News. TOWNSCAPE: The houses are visually prominent, being sited on the cliff above the Stand and the railway yards. The houses look east over the harbour. This terrace of houses has a desired landmark quality when viewed from the waterfront. Dilworth Terrace affords a splendid streetscape.