Former chief post office wins top award

The redevelopment of Dunedin's former chief post office building has won the overall category at this year's Heritage Re-use Awards tonight.

The awards were presented at Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, with the redevelopment of the former chief post office at 283 Princes St into Distinction Hotel beating the other contenders for the award.

The hotel also won the award for best interior, with the Standard Building at 201 Princes St winning the earthquake strengthening award and Iona Presbyterian Church Restoration Trust winning the David Cox Memorial Award for the restoration of the Port Chalmers church.

The Heritage Re-use Awards were established to encourage the owners of Dunedin's heritage buildings, to keep them economically viable and re-used, which was important to ensure their future survival.