Historic Buildings

The majority of the Trust’s facilities are located in historically significant buildings and have direct relevance to the activities of their current occupants. These buildings are owned by the Wellington City Council, with the Trust acting as steward and manager.

William Wallis Cottage (1858) – Colonial Cottage Museum

NZ Historic Places Trust Category 1 

The Colonial Cottage Museum is located at 68 Nairn Street, Te Aro and is housed in central Wellington’s oldest identified building, which was built in 1858 by carpenter William Wallis shortly after he arrived in New Zealand. The wooden cottage, which remains in its original form, is of the elegant late Georgian style and is regarded as being of outstanding historical significance. It is similar to many houses built in Wellington from that date through to about 1870. The cottage remained in Wallis family ownership for 119 years and was opened as a museum in 1980.

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Bond Store building (1892) - Museum of Wellington City & Sea

NZ Historic Places Trust Category 1

The original Bond Store and Head Office of the Wellington Harbour Board, located on Queens Wharf, is recognised as one of the finest and most architecturally significant heritage buildings in the country. It was designed by Frederick de Jersey Clere, who designed many Wellington landmarks including the former St Gerard’s Monastery above Oriental Bay, the church of St Mary of the Angels and the Wellington Rowing Club. The Bond Store was first used as a museum in 1972, was later expanded into a maritime museum and in 1999 became the home of the Museum of Wellington City & Sea.

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Winding House (1902) – Wellington Cable Car Museum

NZ Historic Places Trust Category 2

The original winding house for the cable car system was the first building on Upland Road and was used until 1979, when the modern day system was introduced. The building has been altered extensively over the years, most dramatically in 1933 with the switch from steam to electrical power. It was refurbished and opened as a museum in 2000 and still contains the winding gear (now restored to working order).

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Basin Reserve Pavilion (1925) – New Zealand Cricket Museum

NZ Historic Places Trust Category 2

This pavilion was designed by the City Engineer’s department to replace the original 1860s Caledonian Grandstand, and stood in solitary splendour at the Basin Reserve until the R.A. Vance Stand was built in 1981. The now-disused luncheon area on the pavilion’s ground floor was turned into a museum in 1987.  In 2002, the museum gained the addition of the J. H. Oakley Gallery, a new collection and
archives room, library and theatrette.

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Former Wellington Public Library building (1939)  – City Gallery Wellington

NZ Historic Places Trust Category 2

This building was Wellington’s main library for over 50 years before becoming home to City Gallery Wellington, continuing its role as a key civic institution with a cultural tradition. Designed by architects selected as a result of a national competition and located on a prime site in Civic Square, the building is a fine example of the Stripped Classical style. The only significant alteration to the main façade has been the incorporation (in the window openings) of an art installation, Fault, by prominent New Zealand artists Bill Culbert and Ralph Hotere.

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