This handsome pair of inner city dwellings were possibly designed by Mason and Wales and built for prominent Dunedin businessman, lawyer and politician John Bathgate in 1876-1877. Located on Moray Place and set among some of Dunedin’s finest architecture, the terraced houses have architectural and historical significance.

In the early 1870s this section was occupied by plumber Ralph Waterhouse, whose name appears on the land deeds. Waterhouse offered the Section 40 Block XIV for sale in March 1871 at which time it is described as ‘ having ‘a very substantially-built dwelling house thereon, erected by the proprietor for his own residence.’ In 1871, John Bathgate purchased the property, and in 1873 offered it for sale. Bathgate (1809-1886) was a prominent Dunedin lawyer, businessman and politician. Bathgate did not sell it, and seems to have instead redeveloped the site – building two terraced dwelling houses.

While the architect of these houses has not been confirmed, in January 1876 architects Mason and Wales place a notice requesting tenders for ‘a pair of Four Storey Houses in Moray Place’ to be constructed of stone and brick or concrete. The job does not appear in Mason and Wales job list for the period, but that list is incomplete. These dates also fit with the Dunedin City Council Rating information. In addition, a photograph, probably dating from early-mid 1877, shows the partly-constructed building. In August 1877, agents Street and Morris offered to let ‘Commodious Brick Dwelling-Houses, just finished, Moray Place’. They were described as:

‘1. DWELLING HOUSE, FOUR STOREYS, containing public rooms, nine bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen, &c.
2. DWELLING HOUSE, THREE STOREYS, containing public rooms, four bedrooms, kitchen, scullery, &c.’

Bathgate sold the property to draper Daniel Haynes in 1890-1891.

The two dwellings, then, appear to have been tenanted from the outset. An 1880s block plan identifies the houses as ‘York House’ (the right hand dwelling, facing the houses), and ‘Kirkwood House.’ In the rates records, Lilly Knox was identified as a boarding house keeper in 1881. Mrs Fale advertised her ‘Central Boarding Establishment’ for ‘Gentlemen in want of Comfortable Homely Accommodation’ at York House on Moray Place from 1886-1888. Bankrupt miner Henry Neel Mills identified his home as York House in 1889, noting it was run as a boarding establishment with 18 rooms but that ‘there was very little doing.’

Kirkwood House had a number of tenants: in 1889 it was occupied by a Mrs Graham; in 1891 by a Dr Barnett, and in the early 1890s by a ‘Widow Lady.’ Miss Aitken ‘Teacher of Pianoforte, Organ and Harmony’ offered lessons from the house in the late 1890s until around 1908. Violin teacher Arthur Neale taught from his studio at Kirkwood House in the 1920s.

After Haynes’ death the property was subdivided and sold. Separate titles were issued for the dwellings. The subdivision plan identified the buildings as Warwick House (the dwelling previously known as York House), and Kirkwood House. Kirkwood House was advertised for sale in 1929, as a ‘Cemented Brick Residence (with bluestone base) of 7 rooms and modern conveniences, including e.l. [electric light], porcelain enamel bath, modern papers, washhouse, etc., all under one roof.’ It was described as ‘within a couple of minutes of the busiest part of the city, and yet in a quiet neighbourhood. Music teachers and other professional people should inspect this property.’

Dunedin lawyer and politician Josiah Hanan purchased the property from Haynes’ estate. After Josiah died, son Alfred Hanan converted the property to flats. He also called the house Hansborough after the family’s home in Ireland. Dr James Hanan had his surgery in the house in later years. In 2018, Hansborough House and its neighbour, remain flats.