Oriental Parade Sea Wall Oriental Parade

Date: 27 June 2013

WCC 2014

Summary of heritage significance • The Oriental Parade Sea Wall is an important early civil engineering structure in the Wellington region designed to protect the shoreline and the reclamations. It is a simple work that deals with an exposed location and severe maritime environment so has a high amenity value as well as an aesthetic value for the materials and the patina of age that the structure possesses. • It has a distinctive form and profile and a strong continuity of line along Oriental Parade, defining the promenade and making a significant contribution to the character of Oriental Parade. It has attained landmark status and provides a number of meeting places. • When taken together with the Island Bay Sea Wall, Lyall Bay Sea Wall, and the Evans Bay Sea Wall, the Oriental Parade Sea Wall is one of a number of early civil engineering structures constructed to deal with the issues presented by the maritime environment. These Sea Walls create an interesting group of early protection works in Wellington.

1 Date: 27 June 2013

District Plan: Map 12, reference 42 M55 (12,17) Te Herenga Waka Marae; M66 (12, 17) Archaeological Site: Kumutoto Kainga; M67 (12, 16) Te Aro Kainga; M71 (12) Te Wai-hihere Pa; M72 (12) Matairangi/Tangi te keo Key physical dates: Constructed 1920-1930 Architect / Builder: City Engineer, Wellington City Corporation Former uses: Sea Wall Current uses: Sea Wall

Extent: Cityview GIS 2013

District Plan Map 12 – Oriental Bay Sea Wall DP reference 42 (marked by triangles)

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1.0 Outline History

1.1 History

Oriental Parade has always been a popular area of Wellington city, and as such, has a long history of undergoing improvements, construction, and alterations. The Sea Wall is one element of the changes that have occurred along Oriental Parade and is an integral part of the developed Oriental Parade and Oriental Bay Beach. The construction of the Oriental Parade Sea Wall had been debated by the Wellington City Council between 1905 and 1915 as one of several different proposals for improving Oriental Bay with another option being the creation of a park. The City Engineer W.H. Morton argued that the creation of a sea wall would be the best way to improve Oriental Parade as it would allow for a marine esplanade to be established. He also stated that the Oriental Bay sea frontage was an ideal place for a walk or promenade, and was within easy distance of all residents of the city.1

Construction on the Oriental Parade Sea Wall began in approximately 1922 and it was decided at this time to extend the Wall from the Clyde Quay Boat Sheds around to Evans Bay.2 Work had progressed well by 1925 and the Wall had extended around to Point Jerningham where it was intended to join up with the Evans Bay Sea Wall,3 and construction on the Wall continued through the 1930s.

The Oriental Parade Sea Wall appears to have been constructed in similar materials and to a similar design to the Lyall Bay Sea Wall and the Island Bay Sea Walls, both of which were built following the Oriental Parade Sea Wall. The Wall has been constructed in sections, with a wave break coping below a top element, situated on a lower wall that descended down below the level of the sand. The wall was originally constructed with iron railings, but these were removed when it became apparent that the sea air and marine conditions were rusting them.4

The Oriental Parade Sea Wall is an impressive example of early civil engineering works in the Wellington region. It is a relatively simple structure in what appears to be cast in-situ concrete that was designed to address a specific need and cope with an extremely exposed and severe maritime environment. It has become an important historic object that contributes significantly to the character of Oriental Parade. It contributes a significant amount of visual amenity and a sense of history to the area. The Sea Wall has played an important role in the establishment of Oriental Bay as an Esplanade and community area and has contributed significantly to the popularity of the Bay.

1 ‘Sea Wall or Park’, Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue LXXXVIII, 30th October 1914, Page 3, http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=EP19141030.2.21&e=------10--1----0-- 2 ‘Oriental Bay Wall’, Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 65, 14 September 1922, page 8, http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgibin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=EP19220914.2.84&srpos=1&e=------10--1----0oriental+bay+sea+wall+construction-- 3 ‘Oriental Bay Sea Wall’, Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 28, August 1 1925, page 8, http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgibin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=EP19250801.2.37&srpos=1&e=------10--1----0Oriental+Parade+Sea+Wall-- 4 ‘Pulled Down’, Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 151, 23 December 1935, page 11, http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgibin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=EP19351223.2.134&srpos=2&e= ------10--1----0Oriental+Parade+Sea+Wall--

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1.2 Timeline of modifications

Ca. 1920-1930 Original construction 2012 Repairs – some strengthening work carried out

1.3 Ownership history

Wellington City Council

1.4 Architect

City Engineer

2.0 Physical description

2.1 Architecture

The Oriental Parade Sea Wall is a relatively simple early civil engineering structure. The easterly portions of the wall have been constructed in a similar way to the Lyall and Island Bay Sea Walls, presenting a curved face to the seaward side, overtopped with a heavy concrete coping.

2.2 Materials

The Oriental Parade Sea Wall appears to have been constructed in cast in-situ concrete.

2.3 Setting

The Oriental Bay Sea Wall is a prominent landmark along the Oriental Bay seascape. It is an important part of the chain of sea protection along Oriental Bay that carries along to Evans Bay. The Sea Wall is associated with other historic features, in particular the Band Rotunda a prominent landmark and self-assertive piece of nautical architecture, the Evans Bay Sea Wall, and the Clyde Quay Boat Sheds. At the time of construction a number of Norfolk Pines were planted alongside the wall.

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3.0 Sources

Papers Past

‘Sea Wall or Park’, Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue LXXXVIII, 30th October 1914, Page 3, http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgibin/paperspast?a=d&d=EP19141030.2.21&e=------10--1----0--

‘Oriental Bay Wall’, Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 65, 14 September 1922, page 8, http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgibin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=EP19220914. 2.84&srpos=1&e=------10--1----0oriental+bay+sea+wall+construction--

‘Oriental Bay Sea Wall’, Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 28, August 1 1925, page 8, http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgibin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=EP19250801. 2.37&srpos=1&e=------10--1----0Oriental+Parade+Sea+Wall--

‘Pulled Down’, Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 151, 23 December 1935, page 11, http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgibin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=EP19351223. 2.134&srpos=2&e=------10--1----0Oriental+Parade+Sea+Wall--

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Criteria for assessing cultural heritage significance

Cultural heritage values

Aesthetic Value: Architectural: Does the item have architectural or artistic value for characteristics that may include its design, style, era, form, scale, materials, colour, texture, patina of age, quality of space, craftsmanship, smells, and sounds?

The Oriental Parade Sea Wall is an important early civil engineering structure in the Wellington region designed to protect the shoreline and the reclamations. It is a simple work that deals with an exposed location and severe maritime environment so has a high amenity value as well as an aesthetic value for the materials and the patina of age that the structure possesses.

Townscape: Does the item have townscape value for the part it plays in defining a space or street; providing visual interest; its role as a landmark; or the contribution it makes to the character and sense of place of Wellington?

It has a distinctive form and profile and a strong continuity of line along Oriental Parade, defining the promenade and making a significant contribution to the character of Oriental Parade. It has attained landmark status and provides a number of meeting places.

Group: Is the item part of a group of buildings, structures, or sites that taken together have coherence because of their age, history, style, scale, materials, or use?

When taken together with the Island Bay Sea Wall, Lyall Bay Sea Wall, and the Evans Bay Sea Wall, the Oriental Parade Sea Wall is one of a number of early civil engineering structures constructed to deal with the issues presented by the maritime environment. These Sea Walls create an interesting group of early protection works in Wellington.

Historic Value: Association: Is the item associated with an important person, group, or organisation?

Association: Is the item associated with an important historic event, theme, pattern, phase, or activity?

The Oriental Parade Sea Wall is associated with urban expansion and the requirements for new amenities that this produced. The Sea Wall was intended to make Oriental Parade a more popular recreational area and the Sea Wall was a major element in the creation of the Esplanade. The Sea Wall contributes significantly to the historic character of Oriental Parade and is associated with the development of the city, early engineering works, and urban design that was focussed upon the beautification of the city.

Scientific Value: Archaeological: Does the item have archaeological value for its ability to provide scientific information about past human activity?

The Oriental Parade Sea Wall is associated with several known and listed archaeological sites including: M55 (12, 17) Te Herenga Waka Marae; M66 (12, 17) Kumutoto Kainga; M67 (12, 16) Te Aro Kainga; M71 (12) Te Wai-hihere Pa; M72 (12)

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Matairangi/Tangi te keo, as well as a number of listed for information sites known to be of significance to Maori.

Educational: Does the item have educational value for what it can demonstrate about aspects of the past?

The Sea Wall has educational value for what it can demonstrate about early civil engineering and urban design in Wellington.

Technological: Does the item have technological value for its innovative or important construction methods or use of materials?

There is some technical value in the construction of the Oriental Parade Sea Wall for its design to protect the coastline and the reclamations, as well as dealing with an exposed maritime location.

Social Value: Public esteem: Is the item held in high public esteem?

The Oriental Parade Sea Wall is held in high public esteem as it is a popular element of the Oriental Parade promenade.

Symbolic, commemorative, traditional, spiritual: Does the item have symbolic, commemorative, traditional, spiritual or other cultural value for the community who has used and continues to use it?

Identity/Sense of place/Continuity: Is the item a focus of community, regional, or national identity? Does the item contribute to sense of place or continuity?

The Oriental Parade Sea Wall is an important historic object for Wellington City which has become a feature of Oriental Parade. It helps to define the beach and separates it from the street. It is a popular resting and meeting place and contributes significantly to the sense of place and continuity along Oriental Parade.

Sentiment/Connection: Is the item a focus of community sentiment and connection?

Level of cultural heritage significance Rare: Is the item rare, unique, unusual, seminal, influential, or outstanding?

Representative: Is the item a good example of the class it represents?

The Oriental Parade Sea Wall is a good example of an early engineering and urban design project in Wellington City. It is built in materials and to a design that appear to have been common during the period of its construction. It is also a part of a group of Sea Walls that were built as early protection works in Wellington.

Authentic: Does the item have authenticity or integrity because it retains significant fabric from the time of its construction or from later periods when important additions or modifications were carried out?

The Oriental Parade Sea Wall maintains a high level of historic integrity and authenticity as it has undergone few significant modifications and retains much of its

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original materials. Repairs that have been undertaken have made positive impacts upon the wall and ensured its survival.

Local/Regional/National/International Is the item important for any of the above characteristics at a local, regional, national, or international level?

The Oriental Parade Sea Wall is important at a local level due to its associations with early civil engineering and urban design in Wellington city. It has had a long history and is an integral feature of the Oriental Bay Parade. It helps to define the promenade from Clyde Quay to Point Jerningham and around Evans bay. It is also important for its design which has effectively controlled sand drift and erosion along Oriental Bay. As one of a group of sea walls associated with early protection works, this sea wall presents an interesting element of Wellington’s development and the responses to the environment. It retains significant original fabric although has had some repairs made, these however, have made positive contributions to the retention and survival of the wall.

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4.0 Appendix

Research checklist (desktop)

Source Y/N Comments 1995 Heritage Inventory 2001 Non-Residential heritage Inventory WCC Records – building file WCC Records – grant files (earthquake strengthening, enhancement of heritage values) Research notes from 2001 Non-Residential heritage Inventory Plan change? Heritage Area Report Heritage Area Spreadsheet Heritage items folder

(electronic) HPT website HPT files Conservation Plan Searched Heritage Library

(CAB 2)

Background research

Insert any relevant background information into this section. This may include: • Additional plans, such as those for alterations • Chunks of text from other sources such as Cyclopedia of NZ, Papers Past • Additional images