Why is this place significant?

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. ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION The Second Hudson House stands on the western side of Royal Terrace roughly halfway between London and Logan Streets. A two-storeyed building with a large basement, the house stands on a sloping site and its near symmetrical facade may be viewed against the backdrop of a large garden and the town belt beyond. The exterior of the building is designed in the Italianate style which was popular in late-nineteenth century New Zealand. The major structural and decorative elements within the external composition which signal this style are the hipped roof, three-part sash windows, bracketed eaves, and rusticated weatherboards, in addition to the overall symmetry of the principal elevation. The north-facing balcony projecting from the first floor adds a distinctly colonial flavour to the external appearance of the house which has undergone a number of major alterations since it was first built. Inside the house the modifications which have been made to the building over the years are not all immediately apparent and it is not yet possible to establish a precise chronology of the alterations and additions which have been carried out. In the basement, however, which may be entered via an internal stair beneath the main staircase or through a door off the garden, it is possible to see that the original outer wall on the northern side of the house stood in line with what is now the south wall of the living room. This physical evidence, in conjunction with the plans prepared by Eric Miller, would seem to indicate that the northern wing of the house, beyond the entrance hall and first floor stair landing, was added at some time between the erection of the original building and the execution of the interior renovations designed by Miller (c.1925-26). Given the Italianate style of the house's exterior this addition may have been made by Richard Hudson immediately following his acquisition of the property. Within the house the rooms are arranged around a central open staircase which rises from the entrance hall. On the ground floor the entrance hall is flanked by the large living room, which extends the length of the house, and the dining room, which features a decorative fireplace and floor to ceiling wood panelling. The hall is terminated at the west end by the main staircase and a small sitting-room beyond. The darkly stained panelling in the hall, dining and sitting rooms creates a Tudoresque atmosphere which is further enhanced by the design of the leadlight windows which light the dining, sitting and living rooms and feature the use of heraldic motifs set within ovoid or geometric panes of glass. In keeping with the English ambience created by Eric Miller, the glass doors which open off the hall into both the living and dining rooms are inset with portraits of an Elizabethan man and woman. On the ground floor at the rear of the house an informal living room, kitchen and other service rooms reveal the additive nature of this part of the house. Similarly, on the first floor a sunroom in the south-west corner of the house is clearly a later addition. Four bedrooms and a bathroom are also located on this floor and access to these rooms is provided by two passages which open off the spacious stair landing. (d) MODIFICATIONS c.1899 (?) North wing added, entire building given Italianate exterior detailing. 1925-26 Main stair rehung, chimney from laundry copper in basement removed; small sitting room and entrance porch erected; staircase, entrance hall, sitting room and dining room lined with darkly stained timber panelling, ornamented with richly carved woodwork. Multi-paned leaded sash windows installed in dining room, living room, sitting room, and at landings; decorative glass doors hung between hall and dining and living rooms. Alterations designed by local architect, Eric Miller. 1959-67 Lean-to south side of house erected; triangular bay window south wall of dining room incorporated into extension, window from bay set into end wall of this addition. Sunroom built first floor rear. Window installed north wall of living room. False ceiling erected in east bedroom above living room. 1990 Alterations south and west elevations currently being carried out by present owners. NB: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER/DESIGNER It is not known who designed and/or built the original section of this house which was almost certainly erected before Richard Hudson purchased the property in 1899.

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A fully referenced Upgrade Report is available from the Otago/Southland Area office of NZHPT 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.