Built in rough-faced bluestone ashlar, these forbidding buildings are the impressive design of architect, P F M Burrows. After Clayton's death, Burrows, who had worked under Clayton, assumed the responsibilities of Colonial Architect without receiving the title. Burrows designed a number of important public buildings including the Christchurch Post Office, the Wellington Supreme Court House and the Waimate Court House.
The Mt Eden Prison has considerable architectural merit. Enclosed behind a massive wall the prison has a medieval character incorporating square castellated towers and Gothic windows. Some towers were later removed and the excellent chapel was destroyed during a prison riot.
Burrows had been supplied with plans of a gaol in Malta as a guide. However, he appears to have used an amalgam of ideas from pattern books for public buildings Clayton had received from England.
The prison is an impressive, albeit forbidding, landmark in the Mt Eden district and it is an important record of penal building in the 19th century.
List Entry Information
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 1
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
88
Date Entered
24th November 1983
Date of Effect
24th November 1983
City/District Council
Auckland Council
Region
Auckland Council
Legal description
Pt Allots 105 177 Sec 6, Area A on SO 51947-GAZ 1876 P-427
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 1
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
88
Date Entered
24th November 1983
Date of Effect
24th November 1983
City/District Council
Auckland Council
Region
Auckland Council
Legal description
Pt Allots 105 177 Sec 6, Area A on SO 51947-GAZ 1876 P-427
Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau
Public NZAA Number
R11/2408
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 Northern Regional Office of Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. 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 the original citation considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Information in square brackets indicate modifications made after the paper was considered by the NZHPT Board.
Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau
Public NZAA Number
R11/2408
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 Northern Regional Office of Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. 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 the original citation considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Information in square brackets indicate modifications made after the paper was considered by the NZHPT Board.
Former Usages
General Usage: Law Enforcement
Specific Usage: Prison
Former Usages
General Usage: Law Enforcement
Specific Usage: Prison
Location
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