Cultural Significance

This historic area was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. This report includes text from the original Recommendation for Registration considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Cultural/Social: Cuba St was a prosperous retail area during the early decades of this century and thus has an interesting social history adapting to the changing demands of customers. There were many shops that sold and still sell specialist goods and services, The street also has a high level of original residential space compared to other inner city areas.

Historic Significance

Historical Significance or Value This historic area was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. This report includes text from the original Recommendation for Registration considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Historical: The retail/residential area grew rapidly around the turn of the century with the introduction of electric trams. This improvement to the transportation system had a major impact on the area's early development. Upper Cuba St's strong links with the Tanks family also make it historically significant.

Physical Significance

This historic area was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. This report includes text from the original Recommendation for Registration considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Architectural: Cuba St has the most complete collection of Victorian and Edwardian commercial architecture in Wellington. The buildings range in age from the 1890's to the 1930's and feature architectural influences from Classical through to Art Deco. Aesthetic: Cuba St has considerable aesthetic and streetscape appeal with low rise buildings ranging from the late Victorian and Edwardian periods through to the Art Deco style of the 1930's. Many of the buildings (upper end) have glazed and geometric tiles in the entrances to the shops. Tiles were usually reserved for more grand buildings, public buildings or expensive residences. It is unusual to find them in a retail area. This reflects the confidence of the Edwardian era. Cuba St is the best surviving example of Victorian/Edwardian streetscape in the central city.. As well as being historically significant, reflecting the commercial nature of Wellington around the turn of the century, it has great aesthetic appeal. The buildings are significant because of their associations with one another in terms of their scale, architecture and visual appeal as a group.