Location
List Entry Information
Overview
Detailed List Entry
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 1
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
1377
Date Entered
7th July 1989
Date of Effect
7th July 1989
City/District Council
Wellington City
Region
Wellington Region
Legal description
All DP 5609 & Pt Sec 301 Town of Wellington
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 1
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
1377
Date Entered
7th July 1989
Date of Effect
7th July 1989
City/District Council
Wellington City
Region
Wellington Region
Legal description
All DP 5609 & Pt Sec 301 Town of Wellington
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. Sir James Sands Elliott was born in Randalstown , County Antrim, Ireland, in 1880. Having obtained the degrees of Doctor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at Otago University and Edinburgh University, Sir James served the medical profession for 51 years. He was knighted in 1936. Having bought the site at 43 Kent Terrace in May, 1906, Sir James had the house built in 1913. It provided for his private practice as well as his residence. A consulting room and a surgery at the Kent Terrace end of the building have, like the rest of the building, been converted to office space. Sir James died in October 1959 at the age of 79, as one of New Zealands' most eminent surgeons. The house was sold to Rover New Zealand Ltd in September 1960, and has since changed hands three times. The current owners, Primacq Holdings Ltd, renovated the building into leasable office space in 1988.
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 is Gray Young's first Georgian styled houses, and is one of his best known. It acted as the forerunner of many Georgian styled buildings that Gray Young designed, for the style soon became popular. These buildings are characterised by their symmetry, the decorated entry and the feature window in the roof. The feature window at 43 Kent Terrace has been replaced by a dormer. TOWNSCAPE/LANDMARK SIGNIFICANCE: The Neo-Georgian features of the Elliott House give it a distinction and character which are otherwise lacking in this area of Kent Terrace.
Construction Professional
Biography
William Gray Young (1885-1962) was born in Oamaru. When he was a child his family moved to Wellington where he was educated. After leaving school he was articled to the Wellington architectural firm of Crichton and McKay. In 1906 he won a competition for the design of Knox College, Dunedin, and shortly after this he commenced practice on his own account. He became a prominent New Zealand architect and during a career of 60 years he designed over 500 buildings. His major buildings include the Wellington and Christchurch Railway Stations (1936 and 1954 respectively), Scot's College (1919), Phoenix Assurance Building (1930) and the Australian Mutual Provident Society (AMP) Chambers (1950). At Victoria University College of Wellington he was responsible for the Stout (1930), Kirk (1938), and Easterfield (1957) buildings, and Weir House (1930). Gray Young also achieved recognition for his domestic work such as the Elliott House Wellington, (1913). His design for the Wellesley Club (1925) earned him the Gold Medal of the New Zealand Institute of Architects in 1932. He was elected a Fellow of the Institute in 1913, served on the executive committee from 1914-35 and was President from 1935-36. He was also elected a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects, and achieved prominence in public affairs.
Name
Young, William G
Type
Architect
Construction Details
Start Year
1913
Type
Original Construction
Description
New foundations, Steel frames fixed to external walls
Start Year
1988
Type
Modification
Description
The valley between the double pitched roof was converted into a third storey and covered with a flat roof. Dormer windows protrude from the original roof line.
Start Year
1988
Type
Modification
Description
Interior completely refurbished
Start Year
1988
Type
Modification
Construction Materials
Double walls of red brickwork in stretcher bond. Areas of the roof which are pitched are clad with clay tiles; those which are flat are clad with 'Butynol'.
Notable Features
The cream coloured painting of the brickwork; the heavy, semicircular pediment over the doorway; and the varian on a dormer window on the street facade.
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 DESCRIPTION (STYLE): While this building has been converted from two storeys to three (1933), its William and Mary character has been retained. This style, also known as Queen Anne, is characterised by squat proportions which were later made elegant in the Georgian period. The street facade of the building is symmetrical, enriched with classical detail. The centrally located doorway has a heavy, semicircular pediment supported by sturdy moulded brackets. Directly above this is a new dormer window which has replaced the original one. The facade has regular fenestration by means of double-hung sash windows with each sash containing six panes of glass. There are five of these windows at first floor level, lying directly below eaves which are underpinned with large dentils, and four at ground floor level topped with flush brick arches. The angles of the building have brick quoins while the roof line was originally double pitched with hipped ends, the addition of a third storey in 1933 means that part of the roof is now flat.
Information Sources
Dominion
Dominion, 16 Jul 1915, p. 9.
Evening Post
Evening Post, 27 Jun 1919, p.7.
McGill, 1980
David McGill and Grant Tilly, In Praise of Older Buildings, Auckland, Methuen, 1980
Vortermans, 1982
Robert L. J. Vorstermans, W Gray Young: Architect 1885-1962, Research Report, B.Arch, VUW, 1982
Blumenson, 1977
JJG Blumenson, Identifying American Architecture A Pictorial Guide to Styles and Terms, 1600-1945 American Association for State and Local History Nashville, Tennessee, 1977
Report Written By
A copy of this report is available from the NZHPT Central Region office Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rarangi Korero identifies only the heritage values of the property concerned, and should not be construed as advice on the state of the property, or as a comment of its soundness or safety, including in regard to earthquake risk, safety in the event of fire, or insanitary conditions.
Current Usages
Uses: Accommodation
Specific Usage: House
Former Usages
General Usage:: Accommodation
Specific Usage: House
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