royal port nicholson yacht club photos

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Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 120, 17 November 1944, Page 3

National Library reference: New look to Port Nicholson Yacht Club, Oriental Parade, Wellington. Evening post (Newspaper. 1865-2002) :Photographic negatives and prints of the Evening Post newspaper. Ref: EP/1958/2623-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/23257002

Constructed

• 1943 - 1943

Heritage Area

Clyde Quay Boat Harbour Heritage Area

Architect(s)

United States Marine Corps

This building contributes to the Clyde Quay Boat Harbour Heritage Area.

Clyde Quay Boat Harbour brings maritime architecture into close proximity with inner city housing, a juxtaposition that occurs in few other New Zealand cities.

It is an existing example of a building constructed in the Wellington region specifically for military purposes during the Second World War.

The prominence and longevity of the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club with yachting in New Zealand is well known and the clubhouse is a bastion of the sailing community in Wellington.

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Clyde Quay was originally part of the rocky beach between Courtenay Place and Oriental Bay and was connected to the city by a narrow road that went around the bays. Early occupants of Clyde Quay included boat builders who had premises there in the late 1800s.

The area was set aside for boat sheds in 1902 as part of the Te Aro reclamation. Two breakwaters were built in 1903 to provide some shelter and a brick sea wall was constructed along the roadside. The first 24 sheds were built in 1905, in two lots of 12, by the Wellington Harbour Board. The sheds were leased by members of the Port Nicholson Yacht Club and other clubs, and used for boat and gear storage and workshops. To meet increasing demand another 14 sheds were built in 1922 and these were of similar appearance to the original sheds.

The first private club buildings were built before World War I when the Te Aro Sailing Club built clubrooms and storage. The US Marines built a hospital on the site during the Second World War that was converted into the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club’s clubrooms in the 1950s.

The Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club, established in 1883, is Wellington’s first yacht club. It was originally based in Thorndon and then moved to Evans Bay. When the Clyde Quay boat sheds were built, members moved over to the new complex. The club did not have the necessary resources to build a clubhouse straight away and had to wait until after World War I. The new clubhouse was opened in 1919 at the east end of Clyde Quay. The club received its warrant in 1921 and the title Royal was added to the club name. In 1942 American servicemen took over the harbour and converted the 1919 Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club clubhouse into a hospital, with the addition of a top storey. However, it was soon considered unsuitable and a new hospital was built.

The new hospital building was designed with the intention of ultimately becoming Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club’s new clubhouse although it was not until 1955 that the club was able to obtain the lease on the building. The Club finally owned the building in 1986 and the following year substantially refurbished its clubhouse. It remains the home of Wellington’s oldest and most prestigious sailing club.

• US Marines built a hospital on the site
• 1957 - 1957
• Internal alterations and conversion to a clubhouse for Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club
• 1958 - 1958
• Adding a starters box to the building at roof level
• 1964 - 1964
• Internal alterations to the lower floor
• 1971 - 1971
• 1987 - 1987
• Significant additions and alterations to the building by Interact Architects
• 1988 - 1988
• External canopy added on the seaward side
• 1999 - 1999
• Deck on seaward side extended
• 2003 - 2003
• Alterations to provide a kitchen on the lower ground floor

Not assessed

Of the original American Forces building the form particularly that of the roof with its hipped gables, remains to indicate its origin. It has been completely refurbished inside, and reclad outside with new naturally finished weatherboards and aluminium windows. On the landward side, the building rests on the old brick wall that runs alongside the footpath.

Timber construction

Sea wall is incorporated into the building as a strip foundation

Weatherboard cladding

Aluminium windows (replaced timber windows in 1987)

One of the most distinctive views of Wellington is that of the Clyde Quay boat harbour with the timber houses of Mt Victoria behind, and St Gerard’s Monastery and Chapel presiding over all from the bush-clad cliff above Oriental Parade. The view encapsulates the elements of harbour setting, timber houses, steep topography and landmark sites that the city is renowned for.

The boat harbour is formed by natural and man-made features. The south side follows the gentle curve of the original shoreline, with the land rising steeply behind to McFarlane and Hawker Streets. Prominent landmark buildings enclose the ends of the boat harbour. To the north, low sea walls are all that separate the boat harbour from the waters of Port Nicholson. It is a contained space, clearly demarcated by these features, with the boats at anchor as the centerpiece.

Is the item part of a group of buildings, structures, or sites that taken together have coherence because of their age, history, style, scale, materials, or use?

The Clubhouse contributes to the Clyde Quay Boat Harbour Heritage Area. It also is an existing example of a building constructed in the Wellington region specifically for military purposes during the Second World War.

Does the item have townscape value for the part it plays in defining a space or street; providing visual interest; its role as a landmark; or the contribution it makes to the character and sense of place of Wellington?

Association

Is the item associated with an important historic event, theme, pattern, phase, or activity?

The building is associated with military activity in New Zealand during the Second World War.  It is also associated with local, national and international sailors and yacht racing such as the Global Ocean Race and the Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race.

Is the item associated with an important person, group, or organisation?

The building is associated with the US Marines stationed in New Zealand during the Second World War.  It is also associated with the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club that was founded in 1883 and has been based at the boat harbour since 1905.

Identity/Sense Of Place/Continuity

Is the item a focus of community, regional, or national identity? Does the item contribute to sense of place or continuity?

Yachting is fundamental part of New Zealand’s maritime history and forms part of New Zealand’s identity. The prominence and longevity of the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club with yachting in New Zealand is well known and the clubhouse is a bastion of the sailing community in Wellington.

PublicEsteem

Is the item held in high public esteem?

The Clyde Quay Boat Harbour is an iconic and easily identifiable collection of buildings in Wellington. The achievements and standing of the Royal Port Nicholas Yacht Club also adds to the esteem of the collection of maritime buildings.

SymbolicCommemorativeTraditionalSpiritual

Does the item have symbolic, commemorative, traditional, spiritual or other cultural value for the community who has used and continues to use it?

The clubhouse has traditional and cultural values for the sailing community in Wellington given its association with the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club and other early yacht clubs, and the national and international achievements of associated members.

Is the item important for any of the above characteristics at a local, regional, national, or international level?

The building is important internationally due to its association with the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club, the prominent role the club plays in yachting in New Zealand, and the achievements of its members.

District Plan Number

Legal description.

SEC 1 SO 24076

Heritage New Zealand Listed

Archaeological site.

Risk Unknown

Current Uses

Former uses, has building been funded, funding amount.

Not applicable

Earthquake Prone Status

• Cochran, Chris and Four Decades Conservation, Clyde Quay Boat Harbour Wellington: Conservation Plan, 2005
• Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club, Accessed October 2012
• Wellington City Council. Wellington Heritage Building Inventory 2001: Non-Residential Buildings. Wellington City Council, 2001.
• Inventory Report
• 1957 drawings

Not available

Last updated: 7/31/2017 5:26:08 AM

Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club

A DigitalNZ Story by Ting Sun

Wellington's oldest Yacht Club, a flourishing yacht club that enhances the vibrancy of Wellington by providing a key sporting, recreational, business and social focal point for Wellingtonians. http://www.rpnyc.org.nz

Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club , Yacht , Wellington , Sailing , Ocean Sports

Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club, also showing St Gerard's Church and Monastery

Alexander Turnbull Library

Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club, Wellington

YACHT REGATTA (Evening Post, 24 January 1927)

National Library of New Zealand

US forces at Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club, 1942

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

PORT NICHOLSON YACHT.CLUB (Evening Post, 21 November 1924)

Evening Poet" Phot* Spectators at the Boat Harbour, last Saturday, when the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club opened iv J938-39 semen* (Evening Post,...

Evening Fost" Photo. Centrcboarders racing on the harbour last Saturday under the auspices of the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club. (Evening Post, 2...

Evening Tost" Photo. SAFETY OF YACHTSMEN.— Mr.-. N. D. Blair, commodore of Royal Port'Nicholson Yacht Club, wearing the new life jacket for yachtsm...

Scene in the Boat Harbour on Saturday afternoon just after the 1938-39 season had been declared open by the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club. "Kreni...

Green and Halin Photo. WELLINGTON'S HOPE.—The Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club's 14ft X-class yacht Lavina, which is to represent the province in t...

Evening Post" Photo. SANDERS CUP CONTENDER.—The Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club's X-class boat Lavina sailing well on the Waitemata this week in t...

The Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club s 14-foot square-bilge centreboard yacht Impudence, which is to race ai the Royal llobart Centenary Regatta nex...

Evening Post" Photo. WELLINGTON'S SANDERS CUP HOPE.—77ie Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club's X-class boat Lavina, sailed by J. Coleman, J. Nolan, B. ...

Royal port nicholson activities (evening post, 12 february 1938).

UNDER AUXILIARY POWER.-Fourtecn-foolers which participated in the combined Sanders Cup trial races and Campbell Cun contest far the Wellington prov...

Sport and General" Photo. The convoy system- betiveen New Zealand, Australia, and England is hoivin force. Here one of the convoys is seen leaving ...

Evenlnc Post' Photo. PREPARING FOR THE YACHTING SEASON.—During the past few week-ends the Boat Harbour at Oriental Bay has been the centre of much ...

Royal port nicholson club (evening post, 24 november 1941).

E. 1. Bobson Photo. MONICA WINS AGAIN.—The Jellicoe class boat Monica, vsinnei of three out of, four races in Sanders Cup trials. W. Hall Ralne Pho...

Evening Post" Photo. COLONEL AND MRS; C. C. DOWDING, ivho returned yesterday by the Rotorua after a short holiday _ spent in; Britain. • Both were ...

Deightoh (Studios) Photo.: THEiREV; HERBERT WILLIAMS, who., was\ yesterday consecrated Bishop of Waiapu at St. John's ■ Cathedral, Napier. ■ ■■ Cro...

Eiby, George Allison, 1918-1992 :[Oriental Bay, the Freyberg Pool and St Gerard's Monastery from Herd Street. 1968]

Photographs taken by Libby Kemp

Royal port nicholson yacht club. (evening post, 04 november 1932), port nicholson yacht club (evening post, 21 july 1919), port nicholson yacht club. (evening post, 28 september 1901), port nicholson yacht club ball (evening post, 16 september 1922), port nicholson club (evening post, 19 march 1934), port nicholson club (evening post, 23 january 1933), port nicholson club comment (evening post, 04 april 1936), yacht club's social (evening post, 23 october 1926), high water at port nicholson to-day. (wellington independent, 04 november 1873), with the yachts (evening post, 14 october 1922).

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Boats for sale

Spaces to hire

The Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club is a great venue to host your next occasion. Our three spaces each boast stunning water-edge views of the Wellington cityscape and Clyde Quay Marina, providing a truly unique and memorable experience for your guests.

Whether you are looking to host a corporate function, AGM, team building day, Christmas party, meeting, birthday party, wedding, or conference, The Yacht Club has a space for you.

The Wardroom

Situated right on the water’s edge with panoramic views of the harbour, the Wardroom is one of Wellington’s most breath-taking venues. A truly special feature of our venue that will really wow your guests

The Boardroom

A meeting space like no other with breath-taking second floor views over Wellington’s Harbour, the Noel Manthel Boardroom is available for hire as a meeting room, both day and night.

The Alan Martin Room

The Alan Martin Room is a casual style lecture room with polished wooden floors and French doors opening out to a deck overlooking the Clyde Quay Boat Harbour.

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