Historic Significance

Historical Significance or Value William J M Larnach was born in New South Wales of a banking and merchant family. He came to Dunedin in 1869 as manager of the Bank of Otago, and started a milling, building and hardware form with Walter Guthrie, which did well during the 1870s boom but went into receivership in 1882 during the 1880s depression. Larnach was a Dunedin leading businessman with shares in many companies and was a director of several. He was a member of parliament between 1875-8, 1883-90, and 1894-98. He was involved in various ministries from 1877 onwards and pulled the Department of Mines into the modern age of large scale mining and proper reporting procedures. During the 1880s and 1890s Larnach ran a small kingdom on the Peninsula centred on the castle. As well as his family the castle had 46 servants. There were 35 acres of grounds, including a vinery, and a home farm of 300 acres. The great stables housed the carriages and horses which provided Larnach with essential transport to Dunedin. He was very proud of his animals which were meticulously cared for and housed in style.

Physical Significance

ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE: Larnach's Castle is the most grandiose private home in the southern part of the South Island and unique in its combination of styles. The outbuildings such as the stables are simpler structures and not quite such architectural failures as the main castle. The entrance to the great stables is pleasing in its proportions and the design well fitted to function. TOWNSCAPE/LANDMARK SIGNIFICANCE: The stables as such have no landmark qualities, being west downhill from the castle. They do however form part of the castle complex which has important landmark value on the Peninsula.