Leys Institute
| Leys Institute | |
|---|---|
 The Leys Institute Gymnasium (left) and Leys Institute Public Library (right) | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Status | Closed for seismic strengthening |
| Type | Gymnasium and library |
| Architectural style | Edwardian Baroque |
| Location | Three Lamps |
| Address | 14–20 St Marys Road, Ponsonby |
| Town or city | Auckland |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Coordinates | 36°51′S 174°44′E / 36.85°S 174.74°E |
| Named for | William Leys |
| Year(s) built | 1905–1906 |
| Renovated | 1991, 2024 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Robert Martin Watt |
| Designated | 11 November 1981 |
| Reference no. | 612 |
| Designated | 11 November 1981 |
| Reference no. | 613 |
The Leys Institute comprises two early 20th century public buildings in Ponsonby, Auckland, the Leys Institute Gymnasium and the Leys Institute Public Library. Both have category 1 heritage listings.
The Leys Institute was founded by the will of William Leys and designed in an Edwardian Baroque style by Robert Martin Watt.
Description
[edit]The Leys Institute buildings are both Edwardian Baroque with the library being two storeys tall and the gymnasium being a single storey. The windows are very narrow and have pilasters separating them. The pediments have a volute on each side which is similar in style to a Dutch gable.[1]
The first floor of the library contains the library itself whilst the second floor contains a room for recreation, lecture hall, and a meeting room.[1]
The gymnasium bears the inscription Mens sana in Corpore sano (a sound mind in a sound body).[2]
History
[edit]The Leys Institute was founded by the will of William Leys following his death in 1899. William wished to found a library and mechanics institute but his will did not have enough funds for it. His brother Thomson Wilson Leys negotiated a deal with Auckland City Council that he would contribute half the funds and the council the land for the institute. The Council agreed to this.[1] Additional funding came from the estate of William Mason, a local resident; and two mayors of Auckland.[2]
Both buildings were designed by the architect Robert Martin Watt. On March 1905 the mayor Edwin Mitchelson opened the Leys Institute Public Library. The Leys Institute Gymnasium opened on 4 July 1906 by Thomson Leys.[3]
The Leys Institute was run by the family Leys family with Thomson the first president. Thomson donated his personal collection to the library and established a memorial fund for his wife which resulted in the Hilary Lays Memorial Wing extension. Thomson was succeeded by his son sir Cecil Leys. In 1965, with no beneficiary to inherit the institute, it passed to Auckland City Council and became part of the Auckland Public Library system.[1]
The library building grew as both the local population and collection increased. In 1909 the library building was expanded with a new room and in 1922 it was expanded further with a basement added. A rear addition and basement extension was done in 1939 and in 1958 a two-storey children's library was constructed, known as the Hilary Leys Memorial Wing from the memorial fund that funded the project.[1]
The gymnasium saw a two-storey extension built by Auckland City Council 1967–1968 but this was later demolished during the 1991 renovation and instead the main gymnasium area was extended.[2]
In 1991 John Gummer led a restoration funded by the William Leys Trust.[1]
Since 2019 the Leys Institute has been closed due to being earthquake prone. Auckland Council has since committed $9.6 million to strengthen the building.[4]
Legacy and use
[edit]The Leys Institute has served as a library and gymnasium but also as a community centre with artistic and sporting groups utilising the facilities.[1]
Heritage New Zealand describes the Leys Institute as a 'nationally significant ... monument to the Victorian ideals of education and self-improvement, and the philanthropic ideals of sections of the Victorian middle class.' and that it contributes to the streetscape of the Three Lamps area alongside the Ponsonby Post Office.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h Cox, Elizabeth (6 June 2015). "Leys Institute Public Library". Heritage New Zealand.
- ^ a b c Cox, Elizabeth (6 June 2015). "Leys Institute Gymnasium". Heritage New Zealand.
- ^ Conservation Plan for the Leys Institute Library and Gymnasium (Report). Matthews and Matthews Architects Ltd. 2000.
- ^ Orsman, Bernard (24 July 2024). "Auckland Council set to approve $22m to earthquake-strengthen four heritage buildings". New Zealand Herald.
External links
[edit]
Media related to Leys Institute Library Ponsonby at Wikimedia Commons