124 | REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Cargill’s Castle T T Alexia Anderson Iconic clifftop ruin set for restoration While the building has stood for nearly 150 years, decades of exposure to the elements have taken their toll. “The building has become quite fragile as it has been slowly deteriorating over the last 50 years since it was abandoned. This is to make it safe before we start stage two.” Work is underway to stabilise Dunedin’s historic Cargill’s Castle, with the aim of reopening the iconic clifftop ruin to the public. Built in 1877, the mansion — originally known as ‘The Cliffs’ — was designed by architect Francis Petre, who was known for using Portland cement, an innovative material at the time. The building has a Category 1 listing with Heritage NZ. While the building has stood for nearly 150 years, decades of exposure to the elements have taken their toll. Cargill’s Castle Trust chair Steven De Graaf said as a result, the trust is working to conserve the ruin, a project that will take shape over several stages. Stage one, which follows years of detailed planning and $300,000 of fundraising, is focused on stabilising the structure, including the addition of steel bands around the top of the walls to “lock them up”. “The building has become quite fragile as it has been slowly deteriorating over the last 50 years since it was abandoned. This is to make it safe before we start stage two,” Steven said. The Trust has worked closely with Heritage New Zealand, Dunedin City Council Heritage advisors, conservation architects Origin, and structural engineers Hadley & Robinson to get the project to this point. Contractors WAE are also working on the project, using cranes to carry out the work safely. “All of stage one will be from a crane working up high in a box. Therefore the wind and weather become the main factor when working on an exposed clifftop site like this,” Steven said. The Trust, formed in 1997 in response to a demolition permit issued for the castle, has overcome multiple challenges over the years, from purchasing the land, securing access, and obtaining resource and building consents, to commissioning a range of expert reports. It now has its sights set on opening the castle to the public in time for its 150th anniversary. Stage two will involve further structural reinforcement, including crack repairs, flooring, and a stairway that will allow visitors to explore the interior. There are also plans to provide historical information boards, QR-linked content, and landscaping that will be developed in keeping with historical photos. Overall, the project will honour the castle’s colourful past, which has included a private residence, cabaret, evangelical centre, and more. Steven said the structure is an important part of Dunedin’s early history with lots of events held there over the years, with the hope of many more yet to come. “The stories that go with the history are very important,” he said. “From stories of spies during World War I, police raids confiscating alcohol and an American serviceman falling over the cliff edge and perishing.” Looking ahead, the Trust wants the site to become a key stop along a future coastal walking track linking St Clair Beach and Tunnel Beach. The final park design will include pathways, seating, plantings, and open spaces for small events like concerts and picnics. “Our main aim is to have it open in some shape or form in October 2027 to mark the 150th anniversary of the building. There is a lot of work to do before then and much fundraising,” he said. info@wae.co.nz 03 465 7797 Medium to Heavy Fabrication |24 hr Crane Hire | Mechanical Services | Access Equipment WAE Engineering Ltd is proud to support Cargills Castle
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