After nearly three years of restoration work, Steamer Basin has opened new doors to a once derelict heritage building, between Princes and Bond Sts (accessed from Bond or Police Sts).
It has been worth the wait for the new tenants and brewery founders, Paul Kelly and Karen Gazzard, who say the building, restored by New Zealand Heritage Properties, has exceeded their expectations.
‘‘Even though it has taken over two years, we feel really lucky to be here now,’’ Mr Kelly said.
The couple started Steamer Basin when they returned to Dunedin after 20 years in Hong Kong and Sydney.
‘‘We started with the idea of being a neighbourhood brewer, making and selling our beer locally,’’ Ms Gazzard said.
The couple took samples to the Otago Farmers’ Market, receiving feedback from visitors across the world.
Now, the new brewery has a range of beer inspired by the US trend to make seasonal beer and by the farmers’ market to use fresh ingredients.
Mr Kelly saw ‘‘exciting potential’’ for the Bond St alleyway and hoped development would continue.
‘‘This is an investment, not just in the building, but in Dunedin.’’
Work to restore the 1870s building began in 2018.
New Zealand Heritage Properties managing director and principal archaeologist Dr Hayden Cawte bought the site in 2011, fearing it would be demolished after a fire tore through the building.
The original structure was built in 1871 by architect Robert Lawson, Dr Cawte said.
The building was built for Henry Fish, a painter and controversial former Dunedin MP, and was used by decorators and paint manufacturers until the mid-1900s.
Dr Cawte said, during restoration, part of an old sea wall was found underground, which confirmed the harbour had once come up to the building’s boundary.
He felt the project was an opportunity to show what could be done with a building that ‘‘arguably no-one would have touched’’.
The building is one of the first properties to be upgraded as part of the Dunedin City Council’s warehouse precinct revitalisation plan.
Related Stories
Comments
That looks very cool and a a credit to everyone involved. I'll be calling in to sample their wares sometime soon. The work that is going into the precinct is a city investing in a confident future.
I'm excited to check this place out. What a great idea. I'm sure this will be a popular spot and so cool to keep seeing these old buildings being reinvented.