Antrim House, Residential building in Wellington Central, New Zealand.
Antrim House is a two-story residential building in Wellington with 18 rooms, constructed primarily from totara wood and featuring a central tower with an iron crown. The structure exemplifies Edwardian architecture with details that combine skilled craftsmanship and locally sourced materials.
The house was built in 1905 for Robert Hannah, an entrepreneur who expanded his shoe business into a chain of ten stores and a factory. His commercial success required a residence that reflected his wealth and standing in Wellington society.
The house displays New Zealand craftsmanship through pressed metal ceilings and hand-crafted kauri wood panels that remain intact today. These details, along with the leadlight windows and grand staircase, reflect the skills of local artisans from that era.
The building underwent comprehensive restoration from October 2022 through May 2024, including seismic strengthening, roof work, and dome reconstruction by specialists. Visitors can access this well-maintained structure in the city center and notice the completed structural improvements.
The house once overlooked Wellington Harbour but now sits surrounded by modern high-rise buildings, showing how the city has transformed over more than a century. This dramatic shift reveals how the central district developed around this landmark structure.
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