A shining example of Dunedin’s heritage architecture has been freshly illuminated.
Moreover, the Dunedin Prison Charitable Trust revealed grand plans for the 1896 Dunedin Gaol, in Castle St, yesterday.
Dunedin Prison Charitable Trust trustee Norcombe Barker presided over a short ceremony about 5pm celebrating the trust’s more than $700,000 "stage 2" restoration work.
The stage 2 work included roof replacement, exterior refurbishment and seismic strengthening.
The trust also built two replica gate pillars at the front of the jail, a short length of iron fence on each side of the gate.
It also added asphalting and exterior lights, which were switched on for the first time, officially, by Dunedin Mayor Aaron Hawkins at the ceremony.
Mr Barker yesterday described the vision for the former prison.
Sydney heritage consultants Margaret and Chris Betteridge produced a conservation plan in 2014 that revealed the Victorian courtyard prison design was rare, he said.
"We envisage the courtyard being used for performances from theatre and musical productions, fashion ID, night markets, and pop-up cafe restaurants to name a few," Mr Barker said.
"It will be important to have a glazed roof and a lift inside the courtyard and we are in discussions with Heritage New Zealand on this."
Mr Barker said the trust research group was also undertaking an interpretation plan.
Trust chairwoman Virginia Nicholls said due to the building’s age there would always be something else to do to it.
"This is a long-term game of keeping the building well maintained.
"We’re just finishing our second restoration, there will be a third restoration, and a fourth, and a fifth."
The stage 2 restoration originally started in October 2018 when the trustees agreed to purchase 15,000 Spanish grey roof slates for the re-roofing.
The work began in September 2020, but due to delays with Covid-19 was not completed until July this year.
