Dunedin Community House is on the move after more than two decades at 301 Moray Pl as the hefty upgrade costs of the heritage building are outside the charity’s reach.
Its new location at 43 Princes St — Evan Parry House — is being prepared ahead of the shift set to take place late this month.
Dunedin Community House chairman Andrew Whiley said 18 of the organisation’s 20 office tenants had indicated they would move to the new location, although leases were yet to be finalised.
"We’re really excited about being in that location."
There had been strong support when the organisation took the decision process to the tenants in the building.
The building at 301 Moray Pl was constructed between 1908 and 1909, and had been occupied by the organisation since 2000.
However, the cost for necessary earthquake strengthening and repairs to water damage that had rendered two rooms uninhabitable last year were beyond what the organisation could deal with.
The costs were believed to be more than $2million.
"There’s a strong future for the building, and there’s a strong future for that location, but it was beyond the capacity of Dunedin Community House to undertake what was needed."
It was hard to get money for a heritage building and it had been an "extremely challenging" time.
Although they would miss the building, they looked forward to seeing what its new owners would do with it.
The new building was better suited to their needs, and although it was roughly the same size, it had more usable space.
"We’ve got a lot more meeting space that will fit the needs of the community."
One group was also taking up the new option of using a "hot desk" work space (where desks are on a rota) rather than an office, as Covid-19 had taught people to be more flexible with work locations.
A deadline sale of 301 Moray Pl closed on Wednesday.
Mr Whiley said there were various interested parties, and the organisation would now start negotiations.
