Why is this place significant?

Why is this place Category 1 / Category 2?

The Dunedin North Post Office, completed in 1879, served the community for over ninety years. At the time it was constructed post offices were an important part of the community as a meeting place and as a centre of contact with the outside world. The Dunedin North Post Office operated from 1 July 1879 to 4 August 1970. The construction of the Dunedin North Post Office followed the economic advancement associated with the gold mining of the 1860s and 1870s. Wealth from the goldfields and rich pasture lands led to many people moving to the area and resulted in a building boom. The Dunedin North Post Office was designed by William Henry Clayton. Born in Tasmania, Australia, 1823, he moved to Dunedin in April 1863 and worked with another prominent New Zealand architect, William Mason, as partnership Mason and Clayton. In 1869 Clayton became the first and only Colonial Architect for New Zealand appointed by the Colonial Secretary. He went on to design Post and Telegraph Offices, court houses, custom houses, Government department offices and ministerial residences while also continuing his private practice. Buildings of significance that he designed in Dunedin include the All Saint's Church (1865), Edinburgh House (1865), Otago Provincial Government Building (1867, demolished). He also made major contributions to the Exhibition Building in Dunedin (1865) and designed Government Buildings in Wellington, completed in 1876, the largest wooden building in the world. In 28 years, Clayton designed 300 buildings in Tasmania, 84 in Dunedin, and 180 while serving as Colonial Architect using a wide range of materials including brick, stone, timber and concrete. Clayton died in 1877 and was buried in Dunedin. The Dunedin North Post Office, completed after Clayton's death, opened in July 1879. Due to lack of records little is known about the building until the start of the twentieth century. Between 1907 and 1909 the Post Office underwent a series of alterations. The first was carried out by P. A. Lyders who received the contract from the Public Works Department and was completed in 26 May, 1908 for a price of £932. Another Public Works Department contract was given to McKinnon and Hamilton in 1909 for £350 and this work was completed by 21 May 1909. In 1926, the words “Dunedin North Post and Telegraph Office” were painted above the main entrance for the first time. A further £1094 was spent on renovations and extensions carried out by L.F. Woods between 19 August 1937 and 28 February. The work included new doors from the vestibule to the public space inside, several minor non-structural alterations, and an addition. By the 1960s there was a need for a new Post Office to service the Dunedin North Area, as a result of an increase in volume of business, the spread of the commercial area, the Post Office staff working in cramped conditions. When the Dunedin North Post Office moved across the road to new premises in 1970, the old building was empty for two years before the Otago Art Society's tenancy began. In 1972 the building was leased to the Otago Arts Society. Shona McFarlane, a past Otago Art Society President is considered to be responsible for saving the building from destruction and worked with Fred O'Neil, the Otago Art Society President at the time of the acquisition, to ensure the building was acquired and protection was guaranteed. The building was altered to suit the needs of the Otago Art Society. Outbuildings that once contained laundry facilities, toilets and storage were demolished. The majority of the inside was renovated to make room for three galleries, lecture studios and a new kitchen. The renovations took 12 weeks to complete, cost $20,000, collected through fundraising. The back wall was extended by several feet to make the room more suited as an art gallery. Bluestone for the addition was acquired from the Kaikorai Primary School which was demolished at the time. Stonemason Bernie Childs carried out the work and received an award from the Visual Arts Committee for the extension. Prior to moving into the old Dunedin North Post Office, the Otago Art Society had had no permanent home. An award was given to the Otago Art Society on 29 May 1979 by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust for its foresight in adopting the Post Office. The building continues to house the Otago Art Society who is responsible for the upkeep of the building. The building is used for art classes and as an exhibition space.

The Dunedin North Post Office (former), is a two-storey bluestone building situated on a prominent corner site. Its two storeys are separated by a string course. The roof-line is concealed by a parapet, accentuating its mass presence to the street. It has four-light double hung sash windows. It is simply composed, with the most notable detailing the contrasting quoins and window surrounds. The exterior windows and doors are the originals, with the exception of those in the extension added for the Otago Art Society. The original internal staircase remains, as does the original postmaster's door and two-sided clock. The fireplaces are no longer in use. As was typical of postal facilities from this period, the upstairs provided accommodation for the postmaster and family. The majority of the interior walls have been re-plastered since it housed the Dunedin North Post Office. The bluestone used for construction was a popular stone used in Dunedin from March 1866 when mining began in Port Chalmers until 1901 when the last building in Dunedin was constructed of bluestone. The stone was valued for it strength, durability and because it was possible to get large chunks of it making it well suited for architectural works. William H. Clayton recognised the value of the stone early and designed the Bank of New South Wales on Princes Street in 1868 with bluestone columns.

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A fully referenced version of this report is available from the NZHPT Otago/Southland Area Office Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rarangi Korero identifies only the heritage values of the property concerned, and should not be construed as advice on the state of the property, or as a comment of its soundness or safety, including in regard to earthquake risk, safety in the event of fire, or insanitary conditions.