22 | REGIONAL Majestic Mansions T T Aimee Wilson New majesty rising at St Clair Apartment layouts have been redesigned to create more open-plan living. “This is not simply a construction job, nor only a heritage refurbishment. It is an exercise in design coordination, consent strategy, commercial planning and careful project delivery.” Applicators of sealant, waterproo ng, resin ooring and membrane roofs Dunedin • Phone 453-0791 • www.adhesionsealing.co.nz T T to page 24 St Clair’s Majestic Mansions is entering the most significant redevelopment of its century-long life, with owners Joff and Penny Riley leading an ambitious transformation of one of Dunedin’s most recognisable seaside buildings. The Majestic has always had presence. Planning began around 1916 and the building was completed late in 1920, at a cost of about £7000. Although Edwardian in style, it reflected the confidence of late Victorian seaside accommodation developments in the United Kingdom, giving South Dunedin a rare landmark for the end of the city. The owners purchased the Majestic Mansions in 2018, seeing the opportunity to restore and operate the building as boutique short-stay accommodation. Joff and Penny understood both the commercial potential and the responsibility that came with owning such a prominent heritage asset. For Penny, a former teacher, it offered a new hands-on project; for Joff, it provided an opportunity to showcase Feldspar Associates’ expertise in the heritage and reuse space. Feldspar Associates is a co-owned Dunedin based client-side project management consultancy, with decades of experience in heritage reuse and accommodation developments. This expertise is now central to the redevelopment. Feldspar Associates is overseeing the complex project, coordinating design, consenting, construction sequencing and consultant input across the building. All decisions must respect the original fabric while preparing it for modern use. This project work has reinforced the importance of thorough planning, with three years required to secure the necessary consents, funding, programme and build team before physical work could begin. The current 14-month restoration began in September 2025 with Stewart Construction, and includes a new rooftop apartment, a lift, significant earthquake strengthening, improved fire protection and a flexible ownership and operating structure through 14 separate unit titles. The rooftop addition has been carefully designed by architect Ruth Whitaker to bring a contemporary layer to the heritage building without being overwhelming. The top floor includes two apartments — including three bedrooms, two living and kitchen areas, three bathrooms, a study and an outdoor living area. It can operate as one three-bedroom unit or be divided into two separate short-term accommodation units, giving the business future flexibility. A glazed façade will open the new level to 360-degree views across the sea and city, while the wider architectural approach is focused on meshing old and new. Feldspar Associates’ role has been to help guide that balance: retaining the character that makes Majestic Mansions special, while ensuring the new work is functional, compliant and commercially practical. The interior planning of the existing building follows the same philosophy. Apartment layouts have been redesigned to create more open-plan living, with particular attention given to kitchens and circulation. Timber joinery and flooring help create a relaxed Scandinavian beach feel, supporting the boutique coastal accommodation experience while sitting comfortably within the heritage shell. For Feldspar Associates, Majestic Mansions is also part of a wider heritage-restoration story in Dunedin. The company’s recent work includes projects such as the Chamberson Hotel, the Robbie Burns complex, University Book Shop and WorkSafe Building at 43 Crawford St. That background has helped the team anticipate the demands of working with older
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