| 95 T T Emma Bailey A new chapter for historic city site Each bespoke home will have three bedrooms and a media room, over 200sqm of sun-soaked living, double garaging and premium finishes, all just moments from the beach, cafes and coastal walkways. Blue Sky Property DEVELOPMENT Dunedin landmark Albert House is to be reborn as four luxury homes on one of the city’s best locations – just 150 metres from St Clair Beach. Blue Sky Property is behind the development of the historic site. While derelict Albert House could not be saved, in its place will rise four stunning, architecturally designed residences. Each bespoke home will have three bedrooms and a media room, over 200sqm of sun-soaked living, double garaging and premium finishes, all just moments from the beach, cafes and coastal walkways. “A 1000-square-metre site on a prime elevated north-facing land in St Clair is a development that cannot be repeated. It’s a classic case of location, location, location,” Blue sky property Director Lyndon Fairbairn says. In a fitting full-circle moment, Mason and Wales Architects, which was established in 1862 and involved in the area’s early development, has returned to re-imagine the site for the next century and beyond at St Clair. Each luxury home has been designed to honour the history of Albert House, with nods to the past including bay windows, Juliet balconies and similar entrance-ways and gables in the roofline. Brick will be recycled from the original building, which will form part of the fence line. Albert House was built in 1887 by George Munro and served many roles, from early rental accommodation and horse stables, to a base for the St Clair Bowling Club. In 1912, it became the home of the Salvation Army and then a boarding house. “It is one of the first sites we have bought that has quite a bit of history behind it,” Lyndon says. The company had been very thorough in its due diligence. “When we first got in and had a look it was rotting and leaking and had earthquake damage from the 1970s, which had broken the back of it.” An independent engineering report confirmed extensive water damage, rotting timber, seismic hazards and major structural failure throughout the building. It was formally classified as both Dangerous and Insanitary under the Building Act, with demolition deemed the only safe and responsible path forward. Heritage NZ, archaeologists and local iwi have all supported the new chapter for the site. “It had been derelict for so long and unfortunately it couldn’t be saved,” says Lyndon. “Everyone has got on board; locals have said they are happy it is going because it has become an eyesore. “When we put up construction fencing around the site, local families and children from St Clair School came along and painted murals, which will be gifted back to the school when the fence comes down.” Blue Sky property has used the latest technology to preserve the building’s history. “We had it 3D scanned and that allows you to virtually walk through the building that will go to the Hocken Library. Archaeologists will also be there for the excavation.” The building is likely to come down and construction to begin mid-year. We are proud to support Blue Sky Property PLACEMAKERS DUNEDIN & MOSGIEL 50 Burns St & 34 Carncross St Phone: (03) 466 4617 Email: orders.dunedin@placemakers.co.nz PROUDLY SUPPORTING PLACEMAKERS DUNEDIN & MOSGIEL Proud to support Blue Sky Property 608KAIKORAI VALLEYROAD P.OBOX 502, DUNEDIN | PHONE 03 488 2371 Blue Sky Property
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