THE HISTORY OF THE VAN STAVEREN BUILDING  

Written by Mick Cader, Probus Wellington Central, September 2021
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The Van Stavaren building at 36 Taranaki Street - now named Valma House - is noted for for its “streamlined Moderne/Art Deco” style.

It was built in 1937 for van Staveren Bros who had established their general merchant and importing business in 1905.

The father of the brothers - Herman van Staveren, with wife Miriam and daughter Manarah - migrated from Freisland in the Netherlands to New Zealand in 1877 and served the Jewish community in Wellington as a religious leader.

He became involved in the wider community, which he called “his hobby”, serving on several local body committees as well as doing charitable works.

Barend van Staveren founded the firm with his brothers Isaac and Herman, importing and merchandising (among other items) sporting goods, tobacco and accessories, hair products, clocks and watches; the company had the New Zealand agency for Zig-Zig cigarette papers, Gillette razors and Cutex nail polish.

Barend was managing director for 58 years until his death in 1963. The firm closed in the 1980s.
The exterior of the building remains virtually unchanged apart from the bracing on the south side of the building in Lukes Lane, which is considered by some to be an unsightly addition (2003), to strengthen it against earthquakes.

The interior of the building has changed several times before it was converted to accommodate 51 studio apartments in 2004 and renamed Valma House.

According to Wellington Heritage, the stairwell and the foyer are largely original so the building holds considerable heritage value. While developers may have been changed the name its origins are solidly etched into the frontage, so it will always be van Staveren Bros.
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Thanks to Mick Calder (Sanctum Apartments newsletter editor) and Wellington Heritage for sharing this story.