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McGavin House

Coordinates: 41°17′33″S 174°46′22″E / 41.29238°S 174.772651°E / -41.29238; 174.772651
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McGavin House
A Tudor-style historic building in Wellington
McGavin House
Map
Former namesMcGavin House and Surgery
General information
Architectural styleTudor
Location200 Willis Street, Wellington, New Zealand
Coordinates41°17′33″S 174°46′22″E / 41.29238°S 174.772651°E / -41.29238; 174.772651
Construction started1907
Completed1908
Design and construction
Architect(s)Thomas Turnbull and Son
Designated15 Feb 1990
Reference no.1342

McGavin House, also known as the former Red Cross Building, is a building in Wellington, New Zealand, classified as a Category 1 Historic Place (places of "special or outstanding historical or cultural heritage significance or value") by Heritage New Zealand.[1]

The building was designed by Willilam Turnbull and constructed in 1907 for Dr Donald McGavin as his home and surgery.[2] The building is constructed of brick with decorative jarrah timber facings in a Tudor style. It was painted white in the 1940s. Other Tudor features are the leadlight windows, slightly projecting upper floor with exposed beams and lead rainwater head with the date 1908 beaten into it.[2][1] Inside, the original hall, staircase, dining room and drawing room were lined with wood panelling, and the plaster ceilings were decorated with cornices and modelled ornament.[3]

Black and white photograph of building in 1960.
Red Cross Building, 1960

Dr McGavin lived in the building until the 1940s. From 1944 to 1947 the building was occupied by the United Industries Club, an organisation created to support young women living away from home in the city.[2][4] In 1947 The Red Cross bought the building and it was used as their regional centre until 1981.[2] It later became known as 'The Manor' and rooms were rented out as medium- to long-term accommodation.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Red Cross Building (Former)". Heritage New Zealand. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d "McGavin House and Surgery (Former) – Wellington Heritage – Absolutely Positively Wellington City Council Me Heke Ki Poneke". www.wellingtoncityheritage.org.nz. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  3. ^ "Dr. McGavin's House". Progress. 1 December 1909. Retrieved 9 July 2021 – via Paperspast.
  4. ^ "Club in the City". Evening Post. 19 July 1944. Retrieved 14 July 2021 – via Paperspast.
  5. ^ Shaw, Bob (5 May 1998). "Old world charm in newly restored city building". Evening Post. p. 14. ProQuest 314558150. Retrieved 9 July 2021 – via Proquest Australia & New Zealand Newsstream.
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Media related to Former Red Cross Building, Wellington at Wikimedia Commons