Prison decoration finially completed
THE final fibreglass finial was fitted at the former Dunedin Prison yesterday as the historic building is brought back to its 19thcentury best.
The work ends the first stage of the new life of the 121yearold Victorianstyle courtyard facility designed by John Campbell, who also designed the neighbouring courthouse building.
The prison was decommissioned in 2007, and the Dunedin Prison Trust took on the building and raised about $500,000 to start the first stage of a redevelopment programme to return it to its original appearance.
Architectural conservator Guy Williams said yesterday’s work involved installing the two finials and decorative ridge tiles.
The finials were originally made of terracotta, but their replacements were made of a much lighter fibreglass material.
Mr Williams said now stage one was finished, the trust would raise more money for the next stages, and make decisions on what they would be.
The trust has said restoration work was its first priority, and decisions on what to do with the building would follow.
‘‘They have that decision to make of what the next stage is,’’ Mr Williams said.
The trust recently took on its first tenant, business Escape Dunedin.
david.loughrey@odt.co.nz