Chief Post Office - Distinction Dunedin

Absolutely imposing and maybe a little American, the 'other' choice for Heritage accommodation in Dunedin's CBD could not be more different from pretty and romantic Wain's Hotel across the Princes Street.

The heritage represented by the Former Chief Post Office is of a different era, when social services were at the forefront of Government ideals, and nine stories of office space on a central city block was assigned. Government architect J T Mair designed this sealed U shaped monolith in 1934, the shape allowing light into most offices for a healthy work environment. It was finished in 1937. The design was flat fronted, symmetrical and serious, a few roman columns adding to the impression on the Princes Street side. Parallels have been drawn with the Departmental Building in Wellington, also by J T Mair, discussion being about architectural representation of the sheer presence of government.

This was the zenith of the New Zealand Works Department. It soon stopped building these grand government monuments, and departments shrunk and moved away. In Dunedin, the Post Office itself was downstairs and was the last department to vacate into a more modest home, in 1997. The building has since been converted, at great length and expense, to hotel purposes. A modern parking building on the Crawford street side completes the conversion, leaving Bond street as vehicle access to the hotel.

None of the grandeur or elegance has gone astray, the corner entrances still inviting, the front and rear still impressive. And the reviews from hotel guest define the Distinction as 'the' place to stay in Dunedin. A full service hotel, with spa and restaurants, the character and qualities of the Post Office shine through, especially if you take your meal in one of the 'main vaults' which have been turned into private dining rooms. The project won Dunedin's 2016 heritage re-use awards.

Image Credits: Jackie White and Construction of Dunedin Chief Post Office, Dunedin City Council. Distinction Dunedin, Booking.com.

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