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Carrigafoyle, Wellington facts for kids

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Carrigafoyle
Carrigafoyle - Wellington 1.jpg
General information
Architectural style Edwardian
Location 195 The Terrace, Wellington, New Zealand
Completed 1903
Design and construction
Architect Penty & Blake
Main contractor W Fyfe
Designated: 11-Jul-1986
Reference #: 1345

Carrigafoyle (meaning "on a rock overlooking water") is a historic building in Wellington, New Zealand.

P-25126-enz
A stained glass window in the porch of Carrigafoyle

The house was designed by Penty & Blake for Robert and Elizabeth O'Connor. Robert's Irish ancestors were said to extend back to Carrigafoyle in Ireland. Elizabeth was a daughter of the Hon John Martin, after whom Martinborough is named. The house as designed had two main floors plus a basement and sub-basement. There were seven bedrooms and various living spaces. There was a 'principal staircase' for family and guests and a smaller staircase on the opposite side of the building for servants' use. The basement held the billiard room and a museum, which was a private project of the O'Connors' son Albert Creagh O'Connor. 'Spectacular' art nouveau stained glass windows were designed by Charles Edward Carter of Robert Martin Ltd.

After Elizabeth O'Connor died in 1919 the house was put up for sale. A real estate advertisement at that time said the house had 11 bedrooms, a dining room, morning room, drawing room, lounge hall, full-size billiard room, conservatory, telephone room, dark room and two balconies with "glorious" views of the harbour. The building was restored in the 1980s by Rex Nicholls (a former Deputy Mayor). It is flanked by an art deco building bearing the same name.

The building, is classified as a "Category 1" ("places of 'special or outstanding historical or cultural heritage significance or value'") historic place by Heritage New Zealand.

It is mentioned in the song 'Adelphi Apartments' by Tiny Ruins , New Zealand singer-songwriter Hollie Fullbrook.

Carrigafoyle - new building
The new Carrigafoyle building adjacent to the old one. This is not heritage listed
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