Olveston ready to open as electric upgrade nears completion

Olveston Historic Home will open to the public again from Thursday, 1 October now that the majority of some upgrade work is now complete. The heritage building has been closed to the public since July while the electrical system was undergoing an upgrade.

The upgrade was started following an assessment which identified some of the electrical components had degraded over time and posed a safety risk.

Dunedin City Council Project Manager Property Services Martine Smith says it was important that the building’s heritage status was taken into consideration to ensure the upgrades remained true to its historic character and appearance.

Some of the components in need of repair or updating date back to when the house was first built in the early 1900s. Work included the complete upgrade of the main switchboard and submain cables, and the replacement of subcircuit cables, as well as general repair and maintenance of outdated components as needed.

“Modernising the electrical components and ensuring everything is safe and operational for the current age without compromising the unique heritage value and aspects of the building was a top priority,” Ms Smith says.

The aim was to give Olveston some much needed improvements but not make it noticeable to the public.

“We worked closely with heritage advisors to make sure we didn’t lose sight of that vision. Olveston still looks and feels like Olveston.”

Ms Smith says some work is still ongoing, but it will not impact Olveston being able to open or encroach on any of the public areas. The overall project is expected to be completed by the end of October.

Aotea Electric was the main contractor for the upgrade.

Olveston Manager Jan Davies says “the contractors have been outstanding. Their care and professionalism have made this process incredibly smooth.”

The extensive collection of historical furnishings and art pieces had to be removed to make way for the work, providing an opportunity to clear out many of Olveston’s nooks and crannies.

“It’s been the perfect chance for the ultimate spring clean and get Olveston looking its absolute best,” Mrs Davies says.

“The Olveston team and I are looking forward to welcoming guests back. Bookings are already looking very positive – from local patrons coming along for private dinners, events, high teas, and exhibitions, to visitors travelling from across New Zealand and around the world,” she says.

Guided tours will soon be up and running again, and Dunedin residents and visitors will be able to wander the halls and peruse the gift shop, she says.

Olveston Historic Home is noted as being one the first private residences in Dunedin to have working electricity, which was originally generated using gas.

The residence was first built for the Theomin family, and later gifted to the City of Dunedin in the 1960s by Dorothy Theomin, the daughter of the original owner, David Theomin.

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