72 Hobson Street

Constructed 1902 - 1904 to a design by the architect John Sydney Swan for R. L. (Robert Lionel) Levin (1878 - 1953), the son of William Hort Levin (1845 - 1893) for whom the town of Levin is named after.  One of the most extravagent houses ever built in Wellington at the time it was completed, it was demolished 1975 to become the site of the Australian High Commission. The house was orientated away from the street so the front facade faced Thorndon Quay and looked out over the harbour rather than facing Hobson Street. See this link for further information about the history of this house on our heritage blog and the link below for a description of the house published shortly after it was completed.