The NZHPT Buildings Classification Committee noted Inverleith is constructed in steel-reinforced concrete with a stucco finish; the exterior joinery was heart totara and the interior woodwork heart Oregon pine. In 1981, architecture student Stuart Gardyne noted that the building façade was of a simple design, ‘enlivened by a slightly bowed bay window and an adjoining arch-windowed sun porch’ and the prominent cornice was also noteworthy as one of the few ornamental features on the building. In 1994, balconies were added to the front, coming off the sunroom, at the four floors above ground level. In 1999 new rear windows were added on various levels.
There are six flats – one on each of the five floors of the main building, and one in a cottage at the rear. The interior layout of the ground floor unit differs from those above as it includes a garage. The layout of units two to five was originally the same, but there are now some differences as various interior changes have been made to some of the flats, particularly in the 2000s. Nevertheless, many retain original features; and the flat on level five is said to have retained its original layout. In unit two, the wall between the kitchen and dining area has been removed as has the one separating the sunroom from the main bedroom. Some of the original features are likely to be the doors, architraves, picture rails, brass light switches and door knobs, a large built-in wardrobe in the main bedroom, tiles on the floor of the sunroom, and most windows. The arrangement of ceiling beams in the living area is a distinctive feature.
Of the architects, Llewellyn Williams was responsible for the design of many theatres around the country, including the De Luxe (now the Embassy) Theatre in Wellington (1924, Register no. 7500, Category 1), as well as Chevening Flats in Kelburn (1929, Register no. 1347, Category 2). Frederick de Jersey Clere was a pioneer in reinforced concrete construction; the outstanding example of his work with this material is the Church of St Mary of the Angels (1922, Register no. 36, Category 1), Wellington.
Inverleith has historic and architectural significance as one of the earliest multi-storey luxury apartment buildings in Wellington, designed by two notable architects. The exterior is still largely as it would have appeared in 1922, except for the balconies, which do not significantly diminish its value.
List Entry Information
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 2
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
1396
Date Entered
25th November 1982
Date of Effect
25th November 1982
City/District Council
Wellington City
Region
Wellington Region
Extent of List Entry
Extent includes the land described as Pt Lot 7 DP 653 (RT SRS WN21C/484), Wellington Land District and the buildings known as Inverleith Flats thereon
Legal description
Pt Lot 7 DP 653 (RT SRS WN21C/484), Wellington Land District
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 2
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
1396
Date Entered
25th November 1982
Date of Effect
25th November 1982
City/District Council
Wellington City
Region
Wellington Region
Extent of List Entry
Extent includes the land described as Pt Lot 7 DP 653 (RT SRS WN21C/484), Wellington Land District and the buildings known as Inverleith Flats thereon
Legal description
Pt Lot 7 DP 653 (RT SRS WN21C/484), Wellington Land District
Construction Professional
Name
Williams & Clere
Type
Architectural Partnership
Biography
No biography is currently available for this construction professional
Name
Fletcher Construction Company
Type
Builder
Biography
Fletcher Construction Company was founded by Scottish-born James Fletcher (1886 - 1974), the son of a builder. Six months after his arrival in Dunedin in 1908, Fletcher formed a house-building partnership with Bert Morris. They soon moved into larger-scale construction work, building the St Kilda Town Hall (1911), and the main dormitory block and Ross Chapel at Knox College (1912). Fletcher's brothers, William, Andrew and John joined the business in 1911, which then became known as Fletcher Brothers. A branch was opened in Invercargill. While holidaying in Auckland in 1916, James tendered for the construction of the the Auckland City Markets. By 1919 the company, then known as Fletcher Construction, was firmly established in Auckland and Wellington. Notable landmarks constructed by the company during the Depression included the Auckland University College Arts Building (completed 1926); Landmark House (the former Auckland Electric Power Board Building, 1927); Auckland Civic Theatre (1929); the Chateau Tongariro (1929); and the Dominion Museum, Wellington (1934). Prior to the election of the first Labour Government, Fletcher (a Reform supporter) had advised the Labour Party on housing policy as hbe believed in large-scale planning and in the inter-dependence of government and business. However, he declined an approach by Prime Minister Michael Joseph Savage in December 1935 to sell the company to the government, when the latter wanted to ensure the large-scale production of rental state housing. Although Fletchers ultimately went on to build many of New Zealand's state houses, for several years Residential Construction Ltd (the subsidiary established to undertake their construction) sustained heavy financial losses. Fletcher Construction became a public company, Fletcher Holdings, in 1940. Already Fletchers' interests were wide ranging: brickyards, engineering shops, joinery factories, marble quarries, structural steel plants and other enterprises had been added the original construction firm. Further expansion could only be undertaken with outside capital. During the Second World War James Fletcher, having retired as chairman of Fletcher Holdings, was seconded to the newly created position of Commissioner of State Construction which he held during 1942 and 1943. Directly responsible to Prime Minister Peter Fraser, Fletcher had almost complete control over the deployment of workers and resources. He also became the Commissioner of the Ministry of Works, set up in 1943, a position he held until December 1945. In 1981 Fletcher Holdings; Tasman Pulp and Paper; and Challenge Corporation amalgamated to form Fletcher Challenge Ltd, at that time New Zealand's largest company. Williamson Construction Company - main contract
Construction Details
Start Year
1922
Type
Original Construction
Start Year
1994
Type
Addition
Description
Balconies added
Start Year
2000
Finish Year
2009
Type
Modification
Description
Internal changes to a number of flats
Construction Materials
Steel reinforced concrete with a stucco finish. Exterior joinery: heart totara Internal woodwork: heart Oregon pine
Construction Professional
Name
Williams & Clere
Type
Architectural Partnership
Biography
No biography is currently available for this construction professional
Name
Fletcher Construction Company
Type
Builder
Biography
Fletcher Construction Company was founded by Scottish-born James Fletcher (1886 - 1974), the son of a builder. Six months after his arrival in Dunedin in 1908, Fletcher formed a house-building partnership with Bert Morris. They soon moved into larger-scale construction work, building the St Kilda Town Hall (1911), and the main dormitory block and Ross Chapel at Knox College (1912). Fletcher's brothers, William, Andrew and John joined the business in 1911, which then became known as Fletcher Brothers. A branch was opened in Invercargill. While holidaying in Auckland in 1916, James tendered for the construction of the the Auckland City Markets. By 1919 the company, then known as Fletcher Construction, was firmly established in Auckland and Wellington. Notable landmarks constructed by the company during the Depression included the Auckland University College Arts Building (completed 1926); Landmark House (the former Auckland Electric Power Board Building, 1927); Auckland Civic Theatre (1929); the Chateau Tongariro (1929); and the Dominion Museum, Wellington (1934). Prior to the election of the first Labour Government, Fletcher (a Reform supporter) had advised the Labour Party on housing policy as hbe believed in large-scale planning and in the inter-dependence of government and business. However, he declined an approach by Prime Minister Michael Joseph Savage in December 1935 to sell the company to the government, when the latter wanted to ensure the large-scale production of rental state housing. Although Fletchers ultimately went on to build many of New Zealand's state houses, for several years Residential Construction Ltd (the subsidiary established to undertake their construction) sustained heavy financial losses. Fletcher Construction became a public company, Fletcher Holdings, in 1940. Already Fletchers' interests were wide ranging: brickyards, engineering shops, joinery factories, marble quarries, structural steel plants and other enterprises had been added the original construction firm. Further expansion could only be undertaken with outside capital. During the Second World War James Fletcher, having retired as chairman of Fletcher Holdings, was seconded to the newly created position of Commissioner of State Construction which he held during 1942 and 1943. Directly responsible to Prime Minister Peter Fraser, Fletcher had almost complete control over the deployment of workers and resources. He also became the Commissioner of the Ministry of Works, set up in 1943, a position he held until December 1945. In 1981 Fletcher Holdings; Tasman Pulp and Paper; and Challenge Corporation amalgamated to form Fletcher Challenge Ltd, at that time New Zealand's largest company. Williamson Construction Company - main contract
Construction Details
Start Year
1922
Type
Original Construction
Start Year
1994
Type
Addition
Description
Balconies added
Start Year
2000
Finish Year
2009
Type
Modification
Description
Internal changes to a number of flats
Construction Materials
Steel reinforced concrete with a stucco finish. Exterior joinery: heart totara Internal woodwork: heart Oregon pine
Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau
Completion Date
19th November 2012
Report Written By
Vivienne Morrell
Information Sources
Gardyne, 1981
Gardyne, Stuart, ‘The Transition in Architectural Style from Beaux-Arts to Bauhaus, Wellington between the Wars, 1918-1939’, Research reports, Architecture, B.Arch., Victoria University of Wellington, 1981
Other Information
This place was identified as significant under previous legislation with different information requirements. It remains significant under the current legislation. There is opportunity under our legislation and policies to add to this information. Further information about this place may be available from the Central Regional Office of Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. A fully referenced proposal summary report is available from the Central Region office of NZHPT. 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.
Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau
Completion Date
19th November 2012
Report Written By
Vivienne Morrell
Information Sources
Gardyne, 1981
Gardyne, Stuart, ‘The Transition in Architectural Style from Beaux-Arts to Bauhaus, Wellington between the Wars, 1918-1939’, Research reports, Architecture, B.Arch., Victoria University of Wellington, 1981
Other Information
This place was identified as significant under previous legislation with different information requirements. It remains significant under the current legislation. There is opportunity under our legislation and policies to add to this information. Further information about this place may be available from the Central Regional Office of Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. A fully referenced proposal summary report is available from the Central Region office of NZHPT. 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: Complex of flats
Former Usages
General Usage: Accommodation
Specific Usage: Complex of flats
Current Usages
Uses: Accommodation
Specific Usage: Complex of flats
Former Usages
General Usage: Accommodation
Specific Usage: Complex of flats
Location
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