The Cobbler's moody, industrial aesethetic references its humble origins. Photo /Victoria Mu
Joanna Wane gets her foot in the door of a boutique hotel for the “well-heeled”, in an old shoe factory on Wellington’s coolest little inner-city alleyway.
Location: Hannah’s Laneway, which runs through the former Hannah’s shoe factory on Eva St and Leeds, right in the heart of the city.
Perfect for: A stylish inner-city base where it’s about the vibe, not the view.
First impressions: Dusk was falling and it felt very James Bond as I located The Cobbler’s discreet entrance from the alleyway, which I’d completely missed the first time I walked past.
Activating a hidden panel set into the black door handle, I keyed in the access code, slipped up the stairs to my first-floor apartment ... and kicked off my shoes.
Built in 1923, the Hannah’s factory once pumped out 1500 boots a week. The Cobbler is in a newer part of the building, which has seen a few changes since then.
It was a dilapidated block of student flats when local couple Jarrod Strong and Mady Duxfield-Strong (both former Wellington uni students themselves) took it on, opening for their first guests in mid-2023.
Almost the whole building was stripped out but some original features have been retained, including the exposed brick and concrete walls. The moody atmosphere – think base notes of industrial chic – was created by Mady, who’s a spatial designer.
It’s all very classy and minimalist, with dark hues offset by golden lighting and framed drawings by architectural illustrator Josh Currie hung on the walls.
Call me shallow, but what won me over was the goody bag of pretzels and lollies waiting for me on the table, including an oat milk chocolate bar from the Wellington Chocolate Factory, a few doors down.
I polished them off while perusing the in-house magazine Noho, which loosely translates from te reo as “settle in”. And that’s exactly what I did.
Rooms: A total of 12 units range from one-bedroom studios to two-bedroom apartments with more living space, and a roomy loft suite called The Library.
The bed, with its plump linen duvet, was luxurious to snuggle into, and I slept oblivious to the outside world.
However, some rooms overlook the laneway, and this is a working part of the city, so be prepared for the possibility of some noise.
Bathroom: A backlit mirror is surrounded by white tiling that seems to ripple down to the ceramic handbasin, its matte graphite finish echoed by procelain tiles on the back wall of the shower.
Great water pressure from the dual shower heads and accoutrements include bathrobes, a hairdryer and toiletries from RAAD, an Auckland skincare range that provides refills in biodegradable cardboard envelopes.
Facilities: The Cobbler is strictly accommodation only, with no in-house eatery or room service. All the studios and apartments have a kitted-out kitchen with cooktop, microwave, toaster etc so self-catering is an option.
Jarrod and Mady also own Eva’s Garage, which is right next door. A former mechanics workshop, it’s a cafe (you can sit at a table inside the shell of a red 1952 Chevy), a barbershop, a florist and an eclectic gift store.
There’s nothing like a bit of speed shopping, so while my flat white was being brewed, I scored a pair of silver drop earrings and a handcrafted coffee mug from Payge Ceramics, an artisan pottery in Tauranga.
Note: If you’ve come with a car, there’s no parking in the laneway itself but plenty of options nearby, including three carpark buildings.
Food and drink: Honestly, the choices within stumbling distance are dazzling. After my morning pit stop at Eva’s, I went to Shelly Bay Baker for a second breakfast.
At night, lights sparkle in the alleyway, luring you into cocktail bars, brew pubs and a score of restaurants ranging from Asian street food at Mr Go’s to the Gorilla Burger food truck on Leeds St.
In the neighbourhood: Flanked by Cuba St and Courtney Place, The Cobbler is right in the heart of Wellington’s shopping and entertainment district, and it’s only a few minutes’ walk from the waterfront.
Head north for Circa Theatre, Whairepo Lagoon and the New Zealand Portrait Gallery. Head south for Te Papa and the Sunday morning Harbourside Market (open 7.30am-1.30 pm in winter).
Keep on walking and Oriental Bay is a 20-minute seaside stroll away. There are plenty of fancier places, but I can recommend the empanadas and traditional Argentine pastries at Aye!, opposite the band rotunda.
Sustainability: A notable absence of plastic, from the glass milk bottle in the fridge to fully recyclable/reusable toiletries in the bathroom, LED lights and energy-efficient heating. The Cobbler is also signed up to Wellington’s Race to 2030 initiative to further reduce carbon emissions.
Accessibility: One fully accessible room and the entranceway, hallways and lift have all been designed with this in mind. Overall, good access for anyone with mobility issues.
Price: From $180 per night for a one-bedroom studio.
Contact: For more information, visit thecobblerhotel.co.nz
New Zealand Herald was a guest of The Cobbler and WellingtonNZ.