Sepia photograph of wellington harbour

Wellington’s Roaring Twenties – Boom time for high rise construction

Banner image source: www.wellington.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/5370

Join Richard Norman as he helps you to look with new eyes at the city’s heritage from the 1920s.

During the 1920s, Wellington grew rapidly as a result of the new technologies of the motor car, electricity, films, broadcasting and aviation and services such as rail, insurance, finance, road construction and government support for farm exports and research.

Planning changes and the use of steel enabled the construction of taller buildings, drawing particularly from architectural styles which were transforming American cities.

During the 1920s Wellington’s regional urban population increased by 30 percent to 130,000 and most of the major buildings from the 1920s were strongly built and continue to define the city. Despite recessions early and mid-decade this was a period of optimism as New Zealand established greater independence from Britain.

This talk builds on research for a centennial history of Rotary in New Zealand, founded in 1921 in Wellington and Auckland. Two Mayors of the period, Charles Norwood and George Troup were founders of Rotary and major contributors to the fast-growing economy of the 1920s.

Richard Norman, a member of Wellington Rotary and Wellington’s Historic Places Trust, will help you look with new eyes at the city’s heritage from the 1920s. The Wellesley Hotel, opened in 1927 and a Category One heritage building, is a symbolic place to reflect on the importance of the Roaring Twenties boom for Wellington.

This talk is held after one between 2-3:15 PM, titled "Freemasons in Wellington – from 1842 to the Wellesley Building" and one between 12.15 - 1.30pm "William Gray Young: Architect Extraordinaire".

Health & Safety

The Wellesley Hotel has recently been identified as a potential earthquake risk but remains fully operational while plans are developed for strengthening. Safety procedures will be explained at the talks.

Location
The Wellesley Hotel, 2-8 Maginnity St, Wellington 6011

Regions

Wellington CBD
Wellington

Tags

Talk
Accessible

Event times

3:45-5pm Thu 6 Nov


Booking required

Cost: $25 (or $20 if booking for the 3 Wellesley talks)

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Event hosts

Historic Places Wellington

Historic Places Wellington (HPW) in collaboration with Wellesley Hotel HPW is a membership not-for-profit organisation based in Wellington / Te Whanganui-a-Tara, New Zealand.We advocate for heritage in the wider Wellington region, and offer events such as talks, walks and visits to historic places and buildings. Wellesley Boutique Hotel is in a historic 1929 brick building is nestled in the heart of the Lambton Quarter.

Email: christina.mackay@vuw.ac.nz

Phone: 021476875

Website: https://historicplaceswellington.org/