New ‘custodian’ of historic 231 Stuart Street selected

The Dunedin City Council has completed its open-market process and is now negotiating terms with a community-based Charitable Trust which wants to restore and maintain the city’s historic 231 Stuart Street building.

Expressions of interest for developing the 156-year-old building were called for in July, with the DCC’s requirements of the new owner being to bring it up to current building standards, so it can continue to be of benefit for the wider Dunedin community.

The DCC received three applications and selected The Fortune Trust's proposal to establish a community-focused performing arts venue.

Deputy Mayor Cherry Lucas says respecting the building’s heritage was a critical component considered by Council when deciding which proposal to pursue.

“This building has already served Dunedin residents in a variety of ways – first as a place of worship, then as a home of art and entertainment. The next owner will become custodian of a critical part of this city’s heritage, and whatever the building is used for, ensuring that custodial care is taken seriously had to be our focus.”

- Cr Lucas

Cr Lucas says DCC favoured the Fortune Trust’s proposal as it included a heritage-led approach to restoring the building, with a conservation plan, specialist heritage input and staged works. The team has significant experience in restoring and redeveloping heritage properties.

“Ultimately this building will always play an important part in the city’s history, so conserving its historic character while adapting it for a new purpose was the balance we were looking for.”

The DCC and the Fortune Trust are now working through the terms of a potential sale, including protections for the building's heritage values.

The proposal would see the building change hands for $1, and the Fortune Trust would have up to 12 months to secure funds to undertake its development plans. The proposed sale is subject to that funding being secured, but the trust is already progressing these fundraising efforts.

If the deal goes ahead 231 Stuart Street will become an intimate, full accessible venue of up to 200 seats, accommodating a range of users including theatre companies, touring productions, musicians, dancers, comedians, schools and community organisations.

The venue would be operated as a charitable enterprise, with surpluses reinvested in the building, its facilities and the performing arts experience.

The Trust's current aim is to open the venue in late 2028, with further improvements continuing through to 2031.

Trustee and heritage developer Ted Daniels says, “It is an honour to be given the opportunity to get the lights back on in this beautiful and important heritage building. With the doors open and activities happening it will add to the vibrancy of the heart of the city.”

The building first opened in 1870 as the Trinity Methodist Church before becoming a professional theatre venue in 1978. The DCC bought the property in 2000. It is classed as a Category 1 Historic Place and identified in the heritage schedule of the Dunedin City 2GP.

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