History
319 Willis Street Relocation - 30 November 2005
This building is part of a wider Willis Street precinct, which includes a number of original doctors' residences/practices that existed around the turn of the 20th century.
This two-storey timber house was designed by Thomas Turnbull and constructed in 1896 by the Wellington builder A King for H Wright Esq as a private residence.
It was modified in 1928 to accommodate a waiting room, laboratory and clinic for an estimated cost of £1,440.
The architect for these later alterations was FE Gooder. In 1952 a first floor room was added over the front porch and in 1995 a fire in the upper floor caused considerable damage.
This part of the city was renowned for its medical surgeries and a number of large homes were built to incorporate doctors' practices and homes. This building remains one of the few which have retained their original function until recently, with most others becoming offices or private residences.
319 Willis Street Relocation - 30 November 2005
For the best part of 80 years this building has been the location of various Wellington GPs and medical specialists.
Between 1901 and 1903 John F Orr and Arthur Venn Lodder, hotelkeepers, owned the house. Alexander William Hogg, a doctor, owned the house between 1908 and 1914, while another doctor Thomas Corkill owned and worked from the house between 1921 and 1966.
The style of architecture is Late Victorian Italianate, which was a popular style for houses of this size during the period it was constructed. It is a good example of this style. It retains high levels of authenticity of design, setting, material and workmanship.
This building is listed on the Wellington City Council heritage inventory.
New Location
20 metres along Able Smith St to the corner of Able Smith and Victoria Streets.
319 Willis Street Relocation - 30 November 2005
New Address
81 Abel Smith Street.
New Colours
Green Mist
English Sage
Locust
Nelson Red
Sienna
Construction Update
30 November 2005 – Relocated. The final heritage building to be relocated.
June 2006 – Restoration commences
