Premier House, Official residence in Thorndon, New Zealand
The official residence on Tinakori Road is a two-story timber house with bay windows and a conservatory at the rear. The white Italianate building contains eight bedrooms and sits on a property that extends up a gentle slope in Thorndon.
A mayor built the house in the mid-19th century before the government acquired it two decades later for its leading politicians. After its use as a residence ended in the early 20th century, it served for over 40 years as a dental training facility.
The building's nickname came from its decades as a dental clinic where trainee dentists practiced their skills. The original timber structure remains hidden beneath a later covering installed in the 19th century to protect the building from weather.
The public can only view the building from the outside, as it is not currently open for visits. Those walking the neighborhood will find a clear view of the facade and surrounding grounds from the quiet street.
An elevator was installed in the late 19th century for a premier who had difficulty climbing stairs due to gout. This technical addition made the house the first residential building in the country to have such a feature.
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