Located in the Willowbank Residential Heritage Precinct, the House at 4 Willowbank was built in 1915 by builders Brown and Mitchell. The building has historic, architectural, and aesthetic significance as a notable example of a transitional villa that was popular in the early twentieth century and is important to the streetscape of the surrounding historic precinct.
Both iwi history and archaeological evidence show Māori occupation in the Ōtākou / Otago region since the 12th century. Today, Kāi Tahu mana whenua is recognised over a large part of Te Wai Pounamu and Kāti Māmoe and Waitaha shared occupation are always acknowledged. 4 Willowbank is located on the edge of the Ōwheo (the Water of Leith), a river that runs in North Dunedin in front of the property which would have facilitated travel by waka from the coast to places further inland and the mouth of Ōwheo, known as Te Tutai o Te Matauira, and was likely a valuable settlement area for accessing kaimoana and other resources.
By the 1870s Pākehā settlers also recognised the value of the Water of the Leith, establishing breweries, distilleries and mills nearby to take advantage of the fresh water. From 1875, neighbouring sections to what is now 4 Willowbank were developed for industrial use, with flour mills operating on section 15, and part sections 16, 17 and 24. While a brewery was established on section 17 and 18. In 1892, Alan Steven, miller, purchased the sections of 15, 16, and 17 i and operated the Water of Leith Flour Mill under the company name of Stevens and Co. After his death in 1914. his widow Lucy Steven, built 4 Willowbank adjacent to the Flour Mill.
4 Willowbank is a notable example of a transitional villa, built in 1915 during a period of architecture shift in New Zealand from villa to bungalow style. As the villa reached its peak of popularity, the design evolved – moving away from ostentation and in favour of simplicity and greater utility. From around 1910, the traditional villas started to incorporate bungalow features with lower pitch rooves and wider eaves with exposed rafters instead of the villa's boxed eaves. The bungalows were heavily influenced by the Californian bungalow and were popular as a cheaper, more comfort and convenient housing option. Many could often be ordered from a catalogue.
Constructed of plastered brick, 4 Willowbank features a curved verandah that forms part of the main roof typical of a transitional villa – with supporting pillars of plaster and brick. Decorative shingles accent the gables and unlike the more common corrugated steel roof of many bungalows 4 Willowbank retains a slate roof. The façade also includes two curved bay windows facing the street, a typical bungalow feature, which the verandah mirrors in its shape.
The interior of 4 Willowbank displays a mix of arts and craft elements alongside Victorian architectural details. It has double hung windows and features distinctive fanlights, a special feature of New Zealand bungalow architecture. These are decorated with an Art Nouveau tulip motif, repeated in the glass of the front door and entrance way. The skirtings and architraves are partially bevelled, with finishing timbers far plainer than those of the villa. However, the arched entrance from the foyer to the hallway has ornate mouldings and decorative detailing more akin to Victorian styles. The original plans also include a a maid’s room, which is more typical of a villa.
The setting of 4 Willowbank reflects the typical bungalow garden layout, with generous space at the side that includes a garage and an informal garden. Access is provided via the front gate located at the side of the property, leading to a path that winds up at the side of the house. The original cyclone fencing remains.
Lucy Steven sold the house within a few years, and it subsequently passed through a series of owners, some of whom rented out the property. Very little alteration has occurred over time, with only the kitchen window being replaced along with a new kitchen bench in 1958. Today it remains largely as it was originally designed.
Both iwi history and archaeological evidence show Māori occupation in the Ōtākou / Otago region since the 12th century. Today, Kāi Tahu mana whenua is recognised over a large part of Te Wai Pounamu and Kāti Māmoe and Waitaha shared occupation are always acknowledged. 4 Willowbank is located on the edge of the Ōwheo (the Water of Leith), a river that runs in North Dunedin in front of the property which would have facilitated travel by waka from the coast to places further inland and the mouth of Ōwheo, known as Te Tutai o Te Matauira, and was likely a valuable settlement area for accessing kaimoana and other resources.
By the 1870s Pākehā settlers also recognised the value of the Water of the Leith, establishing breweries, distilleries and mills nearby to take advantage of the fresh water. From 1875, neighbouring sections to what is now 4 Willowbank were developed for industrial use, with flour mills operating on section 15, and part sections 16, 17 and 24. While a brewery was established on section 17 and 18. In 1892, Alan Steven, miller, purchased the sections of 15, 16, and 17 i and operated the Water of Leith Flour Mill under the company name of Stevens and Co. After his death in 1914. his widow Lucy Steven, built 4 Willowbank adjacent to the Flour Mill.
4 Willowbank is a notable example of a transitional villa, built in 1915 during a period of architecture shift in New Zealand from villa to bungalow style. As the villa reached its peak of popularity, the design evolved – moving away from ostentation and in favour of simplicity and greater utility. From around 1910, the traditional villas started to incorporate bungalow features with lower pitch rooves and wider eaves with exposed rafters instead of the villa's boxed eaves. The bungalows were heavily influenced by the Californian bungalow and were popular as a cheaper, more comfort and convenient housing option. Many could often be ordered from a catalogue.
Constructed of plastered brick, 4 Willowbank features a curved verandah that forms part of the main roof typical of a transitional villa – with supporting pillars of plaster and brick. Decorative shingles accent the gables and unlike the more common corrugated steel roof of many bungalows 4 Willowbank retains a slate roof. The façade also includes two curved bay windows facing the street, a typical bungalow feature, which the verandah mirrors in its shape.
The interior of 4 Willowbank displays a mix of arts and craft elements alongside Victorian architectural details. It has double hung windows and features distinctive fanlights, a special feature of New Zealand bungalow architecture. These are decorated with an Art Nouveau tulip motif, repeated in the glass of the front door and entrance way. The skirtings and architraves are partially bevelled, with finishing timbers far plainer than those of the villa. However, the arched entrance from the foyer to the hallway has ornate mouldings and decorative detailing more akin to Victorian styles. The original plans also include a a maid’s room, which is more typical of a villa.
The setting of 4 Willowbank reflects the typical bungalow garden layout, with generous space at the side that includes a garage and an informal garden. Access is provided via the front gate located at the side of the property, leading to a path that winds up at the side of the house. The original cyclone fencing remains.
Lucy Steven sold the house within a few years, and it subsequently passed through a series of owners, some of whom rented out the property. Very little alteration has occurred over time, with only the kitchen window being replaced along with a new kitchen bench in 1958. Today it remains largely as it was originally designed.
