The Tophouse or Wairau pass from Nelson to the Wairau Valley was discovered in 1842 and became the major inland route between Nelson and Canterbury. Accommodation houses such as Tophouse were built along this route.
The first 'Tophouse' dates from about 1846. A second building was burned down in 1887, following which the present Tophouse was built near the site of the telegraph station and the junction of the road to the West Coast. In 1894 the event referred to as the 'Tophouse tragedy' occurred when, as a result of jealousy over the governess and housekeeper of the owner, there was a double murder followed by a suicide by shooting. Bullet holes in the roof still serve as a reminder of this tragedy.
Tophouse had several owners from the turn of the century. Its licence lapsed in 1969. It was reopened as an accommodation house by its present owners in 1988.
List Entry Information
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 1
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
2969
Date Entered
13th December 1990
Date of Effect
13th December 1990
City/District Council
Tasman District
Region
Tasman Region
Legal description
Secs 6 8 9 Blk X Motupiko SD
Location Description
Postal Address: 68 Tophouse Road RD 2 Nelson 7072
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 1
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
2969
Date Entered
13th December 1990
Date of Effect
13th December 1990
City/District Council
Tasman District
Region
Tasman Region
Legal description
Secs 6 8 9 Blk X Motupiko SD
Location Description
Postal Address: 68 Tophouse Road RD 2 Nelson 7072
Why is this place significant?
Historic Significance
Historical Significance or Value The Tophouse accommodation house is over 100 years old. It is a reminder of the importance of the inland route between Nelson and Canterbury from the earliest years of European settlement. Its recent rejuvenation as an accommodation house re-establishes its traditional function. The 1894 'tragedy' adds colour to its history.
Physical Significance
ARCHITECTURAL QUALITY: Tophouse Accommodation House is a fine example of cob construction in the form of a low-lying bungalow. Now over 100 years of age it remains in sound condition. As a building material cob was widely used by nineteenth century South Island settlers. TOWNSCAPE/LANDMARK VALUE: The house is not prominent in the rolling landscape.
Why is this place significant?
Historic Significance
Historical Significance or Value The Tophouse accommodation house is over 100 years old. It is a reminder of the importance of the inland route between Nelson and Canterbury from the earliest years of European settlement. Its recent rejuvenation as an accommodation house re-establishes its traditional function. The 1894 'tragedy' adds colour to its history.
Physical Significance
ARCHITECTURAL QUALITY: Tophouse Accommodation House is a fine example of cob construction in the form of a low-lying bungalow. Now over 100 years of age it remains in sound condition. As a building material cob was widely used by nineteenth century South Island settlers. TOWNSCAPE/LANDMARK VALUE: The house is not prominent in the rolling landscape.
Construction Professional
Name
James, Ned
Type
Architect
Biography
Ned James came to Nelson as a young boy in 1842. He worked as a bosun in a whaling fleet and went on to become a blacksmith, ship's carpenter, rope maker and competent builder of houses. He built many cob buildings in the Waimea area, south of Nelson, including the Tophouse Accommodation House, and the homesteads at Rainbow, Tarndale (c.1860) and Manuka Island and many huts and whares in the Wairau Valley. James did not use boxing in the formation of cob walls. The walls were trimmed and plastered after they had been formed and dried.
Construction Details
Type
Original Construction
Description
Late 1880s
Period
Late 1880s
Start Year
1926
Type
Addition
Description
Addition of public bar
Type
Addition
Description
Date Unknown - Lean-to added on south wall
Start Year
1988
Finish Year
1990
Type
Modification
Description
Extensive renovation including: - wooden framed ablution block - re-cobbing of walls and one chimney - replacing some wooden floors with rammed earth - relining and plastering of ceilings
Construction Materials
Cob walls, floors partly rammed earth, elsewhere in wood or concrete; timber framed roof with corrugated galvanised iron. Rear additions timber framed with corrugated iron.
Notable Features
Cob construction and earth floors. Bullet holes in roof.
Construction Professional
Name
James, Ned
Type
Architect
Biography
Ned James came to Nelson as a young boy in 1842. He worked as a bosun in a whaling fleet and went on to become a blacksmith, ship's carpenter, rope maker and competent builder of houses. He built many cob buildings in the Waimea area, south of Nelson, including the Tophouse Accommodation House, and the homesteads at Rainbow, Tarndale (c.1860) and Manuka Island and many huts and whares in the Wairau Valley. James did not use boxing in the formation of cob walls. The walls were trimmed and plastered after they had been formed and dried.
Construction Details
Type
Original Construction
Description
Late 1880s
Period
Late 1880s
Start Year
1926
Type
Addition
Description
Addition of public bar
Type
Addition
Description
Date Unknown - Lean-to added on south wall
Start Year
1988
Finish Year
1990
Type
Modification
Description
Extensive renovation including: - wooden framed ablution block - re-cobbing of walls and one chimney - replacing some wooden floors with rammed earth - relining and plastering of ceilings
Construction Materials
Cob walls, floors partly rammed earth, elsewhere in wood or concrete; timber framed roof with corrugated galvanised iron. Rear additions timber framed with corrugated iron.
Notable Features
Cob construction and earth floors. Bullet holes in roof.
ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION: The original cob building is L-shaped in plan and squat in appearance. It faces north, with the roofs hipped to the north and west. Prominent in the roof-line are two chimneys, one with corrugated iron and the other recently redone in cob. The north facade has a verandah supported on chamfered posts. Double hung sash windows, each sash with two lights, come up to eaves level. A small timber-framed addition in the north-west corner houses a bar. A lean-to addition to the rear has board and batten cladding, and extending from this and housing the ablution facilities is a skillion clad with corrugated iron. The interior was renovated in 1988. In addition to the bedrooms for twelve guests there is a dining room in the north wing with a large fireplace, and a living room in the east wing. Ceilings are only a little higher than the door and window heads. MODIFICATIONS: 1926: Addition of public bar Date Unknown: Lean-to added on south wall 1988-90: Extensive renovation including: - wooden framed ablution block - re-cobbing of walls and one chimney - replacing some wooden floors with rammed earth - relining and plastering of ceilings
ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION: The original cob building is L-shaped in plan and squat in appearance. It faces north, with the roofs hipped to the north and west. Prominent in the roof-line are two chimneys, one with corrugated iron and the other recently redone in cob. The north facade has a verandah supported on chamfered posts. Double hung sash windows, each sash with two lights, come up to eaves level. A small timber-framed addition in the north-west corner houses a bar. A lean-to addition to the rear has board and batten cladding, and extending from this and housing the ablution facilities is a skillion clad with corrugated iron. The interior was renovated in 1988. In addition to the bedrooms for twelve guests there is a dining room in the north wing with a large fireplace, and a living room in the east wing. Ceilings are only a little higher than the door and window heads. MODIFICATIONS: 1926: Addition of public bar Date Unknown: Lean-to added on south wall 1988-90: Extensive renovation including: - wooden framed ablution block - re-cobbing of walls and one chimney - replacing some wooden floors with rammed earth - relining and plastering of ceilings
Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau
Information Sources
Alexander Turnbull Library
Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington
Archives New Zealand (Wgtn)
Archives New Zealand (Wellington)
Greymouth Evening Star
Greymouth Evening Star
Land Information New Zealand (LINZ)
Land Information New Zealand
Marlborough Express
Marlborough Express
McNeish, 1984
James McNeish, Tavern in the Town, A.H. and A.W. Reed, Wellington, 1984 [first published 1957]
Nelson Evening Mail
Nelson Evening Mail
New Zealand Herald
New Zealand Herald, 12 July 1932, p. 6; 28 September 1933, p. 6.
Newport, 1966
J N W Newport, A short history of the Nelson Province, RW Stiles ad Co Ltd, Nelson, 1966
Colonist
The Colonist
Journal of the Nelson and Marlborough Historical Societies
Journal of the Nelson and Marlborough Historical Societies
Horrocks, 1971
Shirley Horrocks, Historic Nelson, A.H. & A.W. Reed, Wellington, 1971
Newport, 1962
J N W Newport, Footprints, The Story of the Settlement and Development of the Nelson Back Country District, Whitcomb and Tombs Ltd, 1962
Newport, 1987
J N W Newport, More Footprints; Still Further Glimpses into the History of Nelson Province, J.N.W. Newport, Nelson, 1987
Newton, 1973
Peter Newton, Big Country of the South Island North of Rangitata, A.H. & A.W. Reed, Wellington, 1973
Tomlinson, 1968
J E Tomlinson, Remembered Trails, Timaru Herald Co Ltd, Timaru, 1968
Pacific Way
Pacific Way
Other Information
This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. This report includes the text from the original Building Classification Committee report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. 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
Information Sources
Alexander Turnbull Library
Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington
Archives New Zealand (Wgtn)
Archives New Zealand (Wellington)
Greymouth Evening Star
Greymouth Evening Star
Land Information New Zealand (LINZ)
Land Information New Zealand
Marlborough Express
Marlborough Express
McNeish, 1984
James McNeish, Tavern in the Town, A.H. and A.W. Reed, Wellington, 1984 [first published 1957]
Nelson Evening Mail
Nelson Evening Mail
New Zealand Herald
New Zealand Herald, 12 July 1932, p. 6; 28 September 1933, p. 6.
Newport, 1966
J N W Newport, A short history of the Nelson Province, RW Stiles ad Co Ltd, Nelson, 1966
Colonist
The Colonist
Journal of the Nelson and Marlborough Historical Societies
Journal of the Nelson and Marlborough Historical Societies
Horrocks, 1971
Shirley Horrocks, Historic Nelson, A.H. & A.W. Reed, Wellington, 1971
Newport, 1962
J N W Newport, Footprints, The Story of the Settlement and Development of the Nelson Back Country District, Whitcomb and Tombs Ltd, 1962
Newport, 1987
J N W Newport, More Footprints; Still Further Glimpses into the History of Nelson Province, J.N.W. Newport, Nelson, 1987
Newton, 1973
Peter Newton, Big Country of the South Island North of Rangitata, A.H. & A.W. Reed, Wellington, 1973
Tomlinson, 1968
J E Tomlinson, Remembered Trails, Timaru Herald Co Ltd, Timaru, 1968
Pacific Way
Pacific Way
Other Information
This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. This report includes the text from the original Building Classification Committee report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. 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: Commemoration
Specific Usage: Accommodation House
Uses: Trade
Specific Usage: Cafe
Former Usages
General Usage: Accommodation
Specific Usage: Hotel
General Usage: Communication
Specific Usage: Post Office
General Usage: Trade
Specific Usage: Pub/bar/tavern/public hotel
Web Links
description:
Current Usages
Uses: Commemoration
Specific Usage: Accommodation House
Uses: Trade
Specific Usage: Cafe
Former Usages
General Usage: Accommodation
Specific Usage: Hotel
General Usage: Communication
Specific Usage: Post Office
General Usage: Trade
Specific Usage: Pub/bar/tavern/public hotel
Web Links
description:
Location
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