Physical Significance

This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. The following text is from the original Recommendation for Classification report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Architectural: This is one of four sets of semi-detached villas (or townhouses) built in 1892 by the architect William Widdowson. The style of the house is a plain Victorian Italianate.

Detail Of Assessed Criteria

This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. The following text is from the original Recommendation for Classification report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. (g) The technical accomplishment or value, or design of the place: These two semi-detached houses were designed in a plain Victorian Italianate style and built in 1892. The main facade is symmetrical, with a double-storey bay window at either end. These bays are emphasised by a small pyramid roof over the upper floor, capped by an iron finial. The entrance porch features a verandah trimmed with iron lace under the eaves. (k) The extent to which the place forms part of a wider historical and cultural complex or historical and cultural landscape: This is one of four sets of semi-detached, late-Victorian townhouses. The group, as a whole, have considerable townscape and heritage significance. This type of residential development was relatively uncommon in the late-colonial era and is unique in Christchurch. Conclusion: The (semi-detached) Houses, Chester Street East, Christchurch are recommended for registration as a Category II as a place of historical and cultural heritage significance and value. As one our four sets of grouped townhouses, the houses are a comparatively unusual form of residential development for their time, and have considerable townscape significance. The houses were designed in a plain Victorian Italianate style.