231 Stuart Street - ex Fortune Theatre

The Dunedin City Council is seeking proposals from prospective buyers of the property at 231 Stuart Street – formerly known as the Fortune Theatre.

Council agreed to list the property for sale on the open market in a Request for Proposal process, and interested parties have until Monday, 17 August to submit their proposals.

It is classed as a Category 1 Historic Place and identified in the heritage schedule of the Dunedin City 2GP. It previously operated as the Fortune Theatre, but has remained unused since its closure in 2018. The DCC has continued to maintain and repair the building over the years.

The building has a current Building Warrant of Fitness and is compliant with safety requirements on the provision it remains vacant. Repairs are needed before the property can be used.

Prospective buyers will have to undertake due diligence given the classified heritage status of the property, and provide detailed plans on what the building will be used for, how it will be brought up to standard, and what benefits it will have for Dunedin.

Background

First opened in 1870 as the Trinity Methodist Church, the building at 231 Stuart Street was taken over for use as a professional theatre venue in 1978. The DCC bought the property in 2000, and it continued to operate as the Fortune Theatre until its closure in 2018. Since then, the building has remained vacant while the DCC has continued to maintain and repair it as needed.

The former church and theatre is designed in a Gothic revival style and comprises three levels, basement, ground floor and a mezzanine area. It is constructed of solid masonry and timber, the primary roof is slate, and the secondary roof is clad in copper. Later alterations are constructed in steel and concrete.

A condition report was undertaken by Flanders Marlow Limited in 2024.

The property is identified in the heritage schedule of the 2GP and is listed as a Category 1 historic place, and is therefore subject to heritage protection. Resource consent will be required for any alterations or demolition to the exterior of the building.

Request for proposal

The Request for Proposal process provides equal opportunity for community, not-for-profit, and commercial initiatives to present their ideas.

Proposals must be submitted no later than 4pm on Monday, 17 August.

Proposals must include the following:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the building’s condition, the level of construction and costs required to bring it up to an acceptable standard for occupation.
• Describe the planned end use for the property and how the building’s heritage and historic fabric will be conserved.
• Describe what benefits the proposed use(s) have for the people of Dunedin.
• Provide an indicative timeline for undertaking the works to make the building fit for purpose.
• Terms of Sale i.e.  purchase price, settlement, special conditions, extended due diligence requirements.

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