The shifting of the 71 staff has been in the planning for several months.
The majority of staff who work on the first floor and above in the Clocktower — including the vice-chancellor’s office, other senior leaders and support staff — will move.
The remaining staff in areas such as supporting international students would stay in the Clocktower building, Mr Robertson said.
"We want the university’s iconic Clocktower building more open to use by the whole university and the wider community, to better serve our community.
"Also, it is an opportunity to co-locate university leadership staff in an open-plan environment which will enhance our collaborative working culture."
Mr Robertson said the university was continuing to work though detailed plans for the future of the Clocktower building.
"I am really excited about the possibilities for the university and the wider community.
"In time, I hope that it will be utilised by the whole university for significant events, lectures and occasions to promote and celebrate our work."
The final cost of refurbishing the Consumer and Applied Sciences building is forecast to be $14.3 million. This includes seismic strengthening, heritage restoration and general refurbishment. It also includes the cost of relocating staff from the Clocktower.
Mr Robertson said these costs would have been incurred regardless of which staff were relocated to the building.
The Clocktower building, built in 1878, is a category one Heritage New Zealand-listed building.
A Heritage New Zealand assessment said although the interior had been largely altered, its exterior remained mostly unchanged and along with the Chemistry Building, the School of Mines and Marama and Allen Halls, the building formed "part of an outstanding group of well-related buildings which was erected in the period of Dunedin's pre-eminence and prosperity".
In 1957, the Department of Education recommended the tower be demolished, and a report by the Works Department stated the tower was unsafe, at risk of earthquakes and deterioration of masonry. The University Council obtained further advice and eventually took on the responsibility itself and carried out the repairs.
Mr Robertson said he wanted the Clocktower to be a place the wider community and visitors "can come to and learn about our history and be inspired by our present and our future".
