Blog 5: Locovisual

Wellington Railway Station, Bunny Street (1933-1937)

The Wellington Railway Station has dominated Wellington’s northern access since the original construction was completed in 1937.  Due to the economic depression that had reduced manufacturing costs considerably, the Government was able to begin work.  Construction on Wellington’s railway station commenced in July 1933.  During the initial building of the station, economic conditions began to improve which allowed for design variations from the original plan, including additional stories and detailing.

In June of 1937, Governor General, Viscount Galway, officially opened the Wellington Railway Station. This station has been nationally recognized with architectural significance due to the design development of architectural firm, Gray Young, Morton and Young, and the physical construction of Fletcher Construction, a firm that continues its association with the station presently.

 The new station was designed to highlight the importance of the railways in New Zealand’s progress and development of the time as well as standing as an important symbol of governmental centralization.  The great physical size of the building reflects the importance of railways during the time, the beginning of the twentieth century.

The station is rather difficult to define as its architecture and design encompasses various styles.  However, according to McCracken (2008), the most prominent of these styles is the notable neo-classically design entrance, with its eight “Doric columns supporting a huge portico, four stories high” (SOURCE).  The immediate interior, from the front steps of the station’s entrance, provides Beaux-Arts influence, employing characteristics of French and Italian Baroque and Rococo styles.  The space is richly decorated and is clearly inspired by New York’s Pennsylvania Station (1910), designed by architects, McKim, Mead and White, and which also quotes Beaux-Art style.

Since its original development in 1937, the Wellington Railway Station has undergone various additions and modifications including platform extensions in the 1950s, redevelopment of floor interiors in the 1980s, and a supermarket construction in former booking office areas in 2006.  However, throughout years of alteration, the Wellington Railway Station remains to be one of Wellington’s distinguished prides and historical architectural achievement.

McCracken, H. (2008). Wellington Railway Station. New Zealand Historic Places Trust Pouhere Taonga. Retrieved from http://www.historic.org.nz/TheRegister/RegisterSearch/RegisterResults.aspx?RID=1452&m=advanced

Davidson, W. R. (1929). Wellington’s New Railway Station Layout and Architectural Features. The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 4, Issue 8. Retrieved from http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Gov04_08Rail-t1-body-d8.html