Frederick de Jersey Clere

The Redevelopment | Historic Building | Former Maritime Museum

A pioneer of concrete structures, Frederick de Jersey Clere's name remains steadfast in the legacy he has left behind.

Aged 21, Clere arrived in Wellington in 1877 (from England) with his family and proceeded to design more than 100 churches, homes, commercial buildings and schools between 1883 and 1948.

Much of Clere's Wellington work still stands today - St Mary of the Angels on Boulcott Street, St Andrew's on The Terrace, the Wellington Rowing Club and the familiar St Gerard's Monastery (above Oriental Bay).

Amidst a changing city-scape this is certainly a tribute to both his style and the concrete construction techniques used.

One of his significant designs is the Bond Store and Wellington Harbour Board Head Office building, soon to re-open as the Museum of Wellington City & Sea.

Frederick de Jersey Clere's sketch of the Bond Store building.

Originally commissioned as a bonded warehouse (customs house) and Harbour Board Head Office in 1892 by the Wellington Harbour Board, it later incorporated the Maritime Museum in 1972.

For a functional building Clere imparted some unusual design elements like the nine ramparts mimicking the lookout posts of sailing ships and an entranceway adorned with carved relief panels.

Now classified as an Historic Places Category 1 building it is one of the Capital's most important heritage buildings. Well-known about town it has become something of a Wellington Icon - remaining true to its original design. Now fully restored, earthquake strengthened and spatially enhanced, it is the perfect home for Wellington's history.