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‘It looked so cute’: Owners fell for ‘Carmen’s’ Cuba St shophouse
This heritage-listed 1890s shophouse in Cuba St, Wellington comes with a colourful history.
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A historic 1890s shophouse on Wellington's Cuba St is for sale, offering a unique investment. The Historic Place Category 2 building is famously linked to Carmen Rupe, a prominent LGBTQI+ advocate who ran her curio shop on the premises.
This fully tenanted property provides dual income from a ground-floor commercial business and an upper-level residence. Featuring decorative fretwork and a rooftop deck, the building represents a significant piece of Wellington's colourful social history and a sound investment opportunity.
Currently a Thai massage parlour, the ground floor is notable for its large bay display window looking out onto Cuba St. The shopfront area is 39m².
Carmen (left) has left a lasting legacy in Wellington. From 1972-74 she owned a business here selling antiques and curios.
This portrait of Carmen by Sydney-based artist Nicolette Page was added to the NZ Portrait Gallery in 2019, part of exhibition Poutokomanawa: The Carmen Rupe Generation.
Bedrooms on the ground floor are currently used for massage rooms.
The original hand-carved staircase remains.
‘It looked so cute’
There is a one-bedroom residence upstairs, which can be separately tenanted.
The pergola is a more recent addition. During a massive renovation 18 years ago, a collection of lean-tos and “add-ons” were removed. RAY WHITE
There’s a view of city rooftops from the upper level.
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