Whilst there is no public access – JMA Decorators Management and Operative alike were privileged to visit this Category 2 listed historic homestead as we had been awarded the contract to repaint the exterior of the Ambassador’s residence (also Embassy and Consular offices on the same site).
Situated on the city peripheral, the Thorndon homestead was originally built for notable New Zealand architect – Thomas Turnbull (1824-1907). Turnbull was born in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland in 1824 and was the first president of the Wellington Association of Architects, and a member of the Wellington City Council in 1891. He designed many notable landmarks including the Old Bank Arcade and St John’s Church in Willis Street.
Thorndon – part of the first Pakeha settlement in Wellington, has followed the pattern of development, decline and gentrification common to inner city suburbs. It does, however, have some marked unique features. Thorndon is one of New Zealand’s oldest residential suburbs. As part of the first planned settlement in New Zealand, many of its colonists were the New Zealand Company elite. They were progressive individuals and families with some means. As a result, Thorndon became the official centre of Wellington and since 1865 has been the site of Parliament. This has led to many notable New Zealanders living and working in the area and to events of national significance taking place within its boundaries. Being one of New Zealand’s oldest residential suburbs, Thorndon has a diverse architectural history. Settlers surveying and building in Thorndon in the 1840s divided the land into one-acre sections, which is still evident within the area today. The statley grounds of the Ambassador’s residence are no exception to this.
