Goldie's Brae
4 Goldies Brae, Wadestown, Wellington
List Entry Information
List Entry Status
Listed
List Entry Type
Historic Place Category 1
Public Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
216
Date Entered
18th March 1982
Date of Effect
18th March 1982
Locationopen/close
City/District Council
Wellington City
Region
Wellington Region
Legal description
Lot 1 DP 5794
Summaryopen/close
This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. The following text is the original citation considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration.
Designed by its layman owner, Dr Alexander Johnston, and completed in early 1876 this house is remarkable for its eccentricity combined with innovation aspects. Dr Johnston as Provincial Surgeon in Wellington was an important early medical figure associated with Wellington Public Hospital for a lengthy period.
His choice of a segmental plan form was intended to produce a 'cosy feeling' but its real interest lies in the use of a continuous glazed gallery (or conservatory) providing enclosed access to each of the ten rooms. This provided solar heat to the rest of the house which was of concrete. Probably only the second house in Wellington to be built in this relatively new material it is an early example exploiting its plastic quality. Familiarly known as the 'Banana House' 4 Goldies Brae enjoys a certain public esteem and is certainly unique in the country.
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Additional informationopen/close
Construction Dates
Original Construction
1876 -
Information Sources
archaeological assessment
Dodd, A. 2014. 4 Goldies Brae, Wadestown, Archaeological Assessment of Proposed Strengthening Works. Unpublished report prepared for Alan and Brigie Pollack.
Other Information
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.