The
overall look of the Albemarle is that of a Baroque design. This can be seen in
the alteration of Classical forms such as columns and brackets in a stylistic
and superfluous fashion and also in the protruding, octagonal tower/dome which
was very popular for Baroque architects. It is often noted though that this
building has many other different styles incorporated in to it as well.
Examples of this include Doric style on the first floor, Edwardian grouping of
ornamentation and Corinthian capitals underneath the crown of the building. This
mixture was noted by Charles Fearnley, one of the founders of “Arch Centre”,
when he says in his book “Vintage Wellington” (1970) that “the exuberance of
decoration more than makes up for any lack of formality."
After its notorious usage as a gentlemen’s club, the building was abandoned. It was bought in 1994 by the Heritage Property Group who stripped the interior and restored the dome, but abandoned the project in 2010 as they could not find a joint venture partner. From then to now it has become covered in graffiti, bird droppings and posters. It was recently sold (over a week ago) to developer Ian Cassels for $82,000, a far cry from the rating value of $1.45 million and a demonstration of the drop in interest for unreinforced, masonry buildings after the recent Canterbury earthquakes.
After buying the property, Cassels said in an interview to the Dominion post that he could remember the Albemarle from the 60’s when it was a brothel. "Back then it was referred to as Heaven, Hell and Petticoat Junction I used to ask my father about it and never got a straight answer, but there were always girls hanging around it in the early hours of Saturday morning."
After its notorious usage as a gentlemen’s club, the building was abandoned. It was bought in 1994 by the Heritage Property Group who stripped the interior and restored the dome, but abandoned the project in 2010 as they could not find a joint venture partner. From then to now it has become covered in graffiti, bird droppings and posters. It was recently sold (over a week ago) to developer Ian Cassels for $82,000, a far cry from the rating value of $1.45 million and a demonstration of the drop in interest for unreinforced, masonry buildings after the recent Canterbury earthquakes.
After buying the property, Cassels said in an interview to the Dominion post that he could remember the Albemarle from the 60’s when it was a brothel. "Back then it was referred to as Heaven, Hell and Petticoat Junction I used to ask my father about it and never got a straight answer, but there were always girls hanging around it in the early hours of Saturday morning."
1906
Now
Fearnley, C. (1970). Vintage Wellington. Wellington:
John McIndoe Limited.
Heritage Buildings Search:
Albemarle Hotel. (2012). Retrieved May 28,
2012, from Wellington City Council:
http://wellington.govt.nz/services/heritage/details.php?id=264&m=search&street=ghuzneeCassels, I. (2012, May 23). Developer pays $820,000 for quake-prone brothel . (H. SCHOUTEN, Interviewer)
(Built 1906). The Albemarle Hotel. Wellington, New Zealand. Retrieved May 29 2012 from: http://wellington.govt.nz/services/heritage/enlarge_image.php?id=264&i=1
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