Welcome to Heritage New Zealand

This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. This report includes the text from the original Proposal for Classification report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. This florid Edwardian mansion was built in 1907. It has been added to over the years and now forms a vigorous ensemble of stylistic parts - Edwardian Free Style mixed with later Georgian Revival and Art Deco elements. It was designed for a wealthy Auckland businessman, Philip Seabrook, who was involved in the New Zealand motor Industry. The gardens were laid out by the architect, Horace Massey and form a fitting complement to what has been described by architectural historian John Stacpoole as a notable example of the grander Baroque manner.

Florence Court, Epsom, Auckland. Image included in Field Record Form Collection | Viv Rickard | 01/07/1991 | Heritage New Zealand

Florence Court, Epsom, Auckland. Image courtesy of ‘Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries Record ID 1200-170 | Auckland Libraries

Florence Court, Epsom, Auckland. Image courtesy of ‘Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, Record ID 435-C5-44 | Auckland Libraries

Location

Loading

List Entry Information

Overview

Detailed List Entry

Status

Listed

List Entry Status

Historic Place Category 2

Access

Private/No Public Access

List Number

7106

Date Entered

12th December 1993

Date of Effect

12th December 1993

City/District Council

Auckland Council

Region

Auckland Council

Extent of List Entry

Extent includes the land described as Lot 8 DP 26251 (RT NA708/136), North Auckland Land District, and the buildings and structures known as Florence Court thereon

Legal description

Lot 8 DP 26251 (RT NA708/136), North Auckland Land District

Overview

Status
Listed

List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 2

Access
Private/No Public Access

List Number
7106

Date Entered
12th December 1993

Date of Effect
12th December 1993

City/District Council
Auckland Council

Region
Auckland Council

Extent of List Entry

Extent includes the land described as Lot 8 DP 26251 (RT NA708/136), North Auckland Land District, and the buildings and structures known as Florence Court thereon

Legal description

Lot 8 DP 26251 (RT NA708/136), North Auckland Land District

Detailed List Entry

Construction Professional

Biography

Arthur Lewitt Ferneyhough (1872-1936), the son of insurance agent and occasional dealer James Ferneyhaugh, was born in Nottingham, England. Ferneyhough arrived in New Zealand in circa 1890 and is believed to have worked in the drapery trade before serving his articles under Auckland architect Edward Bartley (1829-1919). In circa 1899 he went into practice on his own account and became known predominantly for his residential designs, the best known of which are Trentham (c.1907), a two storey timber villa with Moorish-dome in Shelly Beach Road, St Marys Bay; and Florence Court (c.1907), a brick villa of Baroque Revival design in Omana Avenue, Epsom. Taking up farming in circa 1919 Ferneyhough returned to architecture by 1926 and was evidently clerk of works for two substantial commercial projects in Auckland's commercial centre.

Name

Ferneyhough, Arthur Lewitt

Type

Architect

Construction Details

Start Year

1907

Type

Original Construction

Reference

Report Written By

A copy of the original report is available from the NZHPT Northern 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.

Further Information

Current Usages

Uses: Accommodation

Specific Usage: House

Former Usages

General Usage:: Accommodation

Specific Usage: House

Florence Court

Stay up to date with Heritage this month