List Entry Information
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 2
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
5393
Date Entered
19th September 1991
Date of Effect
19th September 1991
City/District Council
Timaru District
Region
Canterbury Region
Legal description
Lots 3-5 DP 50218 Lots 1-3,8, 11-12 DP 9843
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 2
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
5393
Date Entered
19th September 1991
Date of Effect
19th September 1991
City/District Council
Timaru District
Region
Canterbury Region
Legal description
Lots 3-5 DP 50218 Lots 1-3,8, 11-12 DP 9843
Construction Professional
Name
White, Henry Eli (1876-1952)
Type
Architect
Biography
White was the son of a Dunedin building contractor and spent his early years learning a wide range of trades including bricklaying, plumbing, carpentry, joinery and painting. His first major project was in 1908, a tunnel on the Waipori River hydro-electric scheme. He developed a fascination with theatre design and educated himself in its principles while also attending Art School night classes. With the contract to build His Majesty's Theatre, Wellington, for (Sir) Benjamin Fuller in 1912, White moved his thriving practice to that city where he also built the Midland Hotel. White's reputation as a popular and innovative theatre designer grew to the extent that he became one of the most prominent in Australasia. He was to design over 130 theatres as well as a number of commercial buildings. Among his most notable designs were (builder of) The Press Building, Christchurch (1908), architect of His Majesty's Theatre, Wellington (1912), now the St James, and at the time the largest theatre in Australasia, the now demolished Midland Hotel, Wellington, (1916) The Strand, Christchurch (1917), the Tivoli, Brisbane, and his masterpiece, the State Theatre in Sydney. Much loved by audiences for its excessive Art Deco ornamentation, its interior made lavish use of marble, gold and ivory decoration, and featured paintings, sculpture and exotic objects (such as the 'Fujiyama cameo', removed during the Second World War). The Depression marked the end of White's architectural career. He won a competition to design a college at Auckland, but plans were shelved; he closed his office and lost money through farming in New Zealand. By 1937 he had returned to Sydney. Although a cement manufacturing project near Bathurst fell through, dolomite was discovered on the site and during the Second World War his company supplied it for windows and light bulbs made in Australia. White spent much time sailing and big-game fishing. Survived by his wife and two sons, he died on 3 March 1952 at Kings Cross, Sydney, and was cremated with Anglican rites. He had reputedly earned over £1 million in architectural fees, but was not an astute businessman; his estate was sworn for probate at £1147. Source: Registration Report for St Anthony's Convent (Former), Register No. 4345, February 2013. Sour
Construction Details
Start Year
1877
Type
Other
Description
Opened 16 July 1877
Start Year
1911
Type
Addition
Description
The present auditorium, fly tower and dressing rooms were added.
Start Year
1961
Finish Year
1963
Type
Modification
Description
The foyer was re-constructed 1961-63
Start Year
1877
Type
Original Construction
Description
Built prior to 1877.
Construction Professional
Name
White, Henry Eli (1876-1952)
Type
Architect
Biography
White was the son of a Dunedin building contractor and spent his early years learning a wide range of trades including bricklaying, plumbing, carpentry, joinery and painting. His first major project was in 1908, a tunnel on the Waipori River hydro-electric scheme. He developed a fascination with theatre design and educated himself in its principles while also attending Art School night classes. With the contract to build His Majesty's Theatre, Wellington, for (Sir) Benjamin Fuller in 1912, White moved his thriving practice to that city where he also built the Midland Hotel. White's reputation as a popular and innovative theatre designer grew to the extent that he became one of the most prominent in Australasia. He was to design over 130 theatres as well as a number of commercial buildings. Among his most notable designs were (builder of) The Press Building, Christchurch (1908), architect of His Majesty's Theatre, Wellington (1912), now the St James, and at the time the largest theatre in Australasia, the now demolished Midland Hotel, Wellington, (1916) The Strand, Christchurch (1917), the Tivoli, Brisbane, and his masterpiece, the State Theatre in Sydney. Much loved by audiences for its excessive Art Deco ornamentation, its interior made lavish use of marble, gold and ivory decoration, and featured paintings, sculpture and exotic objects (such as the 'Fujiyama cameo', removed during the Second World War). The Depression marked the end of White's architectural career. He won a competition to design a college at Auckland, but plans were shelved; he closed his office and lost money through farming in New Zealand. By 1937 he had returned to Sydney. Although a cement manufacturing project near Bathurst fell through, dolomite was discovered on the site and during the Second World War his company supplied it for windows and light bulbs made in Australia. White spent much time sailing and big-game fishing. Survived by his wife and two sons, he died on 3 March 1952 at Kings Cross, Sydney, and was cremated with Anglican rites. He had reputedly earned over £1 million in architectural fees, but was not an astute businessman; his estate was sworn for probate at £1147. Source: Registration Report for St Anthony's Convent (Former), Register No. 4345, February 2013. Sour
Construction Details
Start Year
1877
Type
Other
Description
Opened 16 July 1877
Start Year
1911
Type
Addition
Description
The present auditorium, fly tower and dressing rooms were added.
Start Year
1961
Finish Year
1963
Type
Modification
Description
The foyer was re-constructed 1961-63
Start Year
1877
Type
Original Construction
Description
Built prior to 1877.
Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau
Completion Date
19th September 1991
Report Written By
Mary O'Keeffe
Other Information
This place was identified as significant under previous legislation with different information requirements. It remains significant under the current legislation. There is opportunity under our legislation and policies to add to this information. Further information about this place may be available from the Southern Regional Office of Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. A copy of the original report is available from the NZHPT Southern region office. 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. This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. The following text is from the original Proposal for Classification report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration.
Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau
Completion Date
19th September 1991
Report Written By
Mary O'Keeffe
Other Information
This place was identified as significant under previous legislation with different information requirements. It remains significant under the current legislation. There is opportunity under our legislation and policies to add to this information. Further information about this place may be available from the Southern Regional Office of Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. A copy of the original report is available from the NZHPT Southern region office. 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. This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. The following text is from the original Proposal for Classification report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration.
Current Usages
Uses: Civic Facilities
Specific Usage: Theatre
Former Usages
General Usage: Civic Facilities
Specific Usage: Opera House
General Usage: Civic Facilities
Specific Usage: Theatre
Current Usages
Uses: Civic Facilities
Specific Usage: Theatre
Former Usages
General Usage: Civic Facilities
Specific Usage: Opera House
General Usage: Civic Facilities
Specific Usage: Theatre
Location
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