Community Contributed
James Bennie
Kete Horowhenua2020-03-23T16:51:41+00:00Early Wellington architect who designed many churches, picture theatres, churches and a library.
| Date of birth | 1873 |
| Date of death | 1945 |
James Bennie was born in Scotland, emmigrating to New Zealand with his family. His father settled in Brunnerton on the West Coast where he was a mine supervisor.
James Bennie studied architecture in Melbourne then returned to New Zealand to practice firstly in Greymouth, then moving to Wellington in 1903 and setting up a practice.
He designed several public buildings in Levin including:
- The Levin Carnegie Public Library on the north-west corner of Oxford and Bath Streets.
- The Deluxe Theatre later called the Regent Theatre in Oxford Street (now demolished).
- The Levin Borough Council buildings in Bath Street.
- The Levin Swimming Baths.
- A commercial building for jeweller Mr Worsfield in Oxford Street comprisingtwo shops and accommodation above.
- The Central Buildings on the south-west corner of Oxford and Bath Streets.
In 2006 Tony Froude, a Kapiti-based historian, published a book on James Bennie.