Social Housing Apartments Open in Dunedin

In a New Zealand first, a heritage building in Dunedin has been transformed into community housing. But that’s just part of the story. Ben Mack reports on the opening of the newest Salvation Army Social Housing (SASH) property.

As the sun rose on a crisp winter morning, cold enough where you could see their breath, so too did the birds begin their chatter. Of all the things they had to talk about that June 5, an exciting new topic of conversation was the opening of the newest Salvation Army Social Housing (SASH) property, in the Loan and Mercantile building at the corner of Willis and Thomas Burns Streets, mere metres from Dunedin’s waterfront.

The Suzanne Lund Community Loft Apartments were officially opened with a dawn blessing delivered by Moeraki Edwards, followed by a reception including Minister for Housing Hon Chris Bishop, Dunedin City major councillors, and developer Russell Lund and his wife Suzanne, who the complex is now named after. Also among the dozens of attendees were community social service providers, builders and tradespeople involved with the renovation of the property, media, Salvation Army members from across the motu (land)—and some of the future tenants of the property’s 30 units.

The building’s history

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co Ltd building, originally known as the Otago Wool Stores, was built in 1872 for stock and station agents Driver Stewart and Co. Used for such varied purposes as goods storage and go-kart racing, the conversion of such a historic building into community housing is a first in Aotearoa.

‘There’s a real need for housing in Aotearoa New Zealand,’ said Territorial Commander Commissioner Mark Campbell at the opening. His speech was delivered under skylights and exposed wood beams in a light-filled loft on the second level of the building—the same spot where go-kart racing used to be.

‘I pray that there is a flourishing for the people here,’ said Mark.

Purposeful housing

Flourishing was a theme Chris Bishop touched on in his speech, too. ‘The purpose of housing is people,’ he said. ‘Housing people in warm, dry homes they can go home to.’

It’s certainly possible to flourish in the 30 units, which are also accessible to people with varied mobility needs, thanks to an indoor lift and ramp going into the building. There’s also a metal staircase which hangs from the roof on steel struts—Russell Lund says it’s a particular architectural highlight because of its uniqueness. Twenty-eight apartments have one bedroom, one has two bedrooms and another has three bedrooms.

Regardless of size, each apartment has points of interest: exposed native timber; soft carpets; bathrooms with showers; huge arched windows with thick curtains (many in bold colours like orange); brick walls; and lots of storage. This being the deep south, there’s also plenty of heating. In the kitchen, the chopping boards are even shaped like The Salvation Army’s red shield logo.

The unique features don’t stop there. The hallways are decorated with art created by Suzanne Lund herself, including brightly-coloured still-life paintings. Some of the original machinery from the building’s earlier days also remains. Overall, the effect is like visiting a five-star hotel—which Russell Lund said is intentional.

‘We want these spaces to be beautiful, uplifting spaces,’ he said at the opening. ‘A building is the product of many hands. You have a sense of wellbeing when you are part of something bigger than yourself.’

Onsite support

To help with wellbeing, the ground floor has an office for a full-time housing support manager, who can assist residents with their transition into the building. It’s important because residents are, or have been, on the Housing Register, and many have never had a stable home before.

Also on the ground floor is a community room tennats can use. Among its features is a salvaged window that came from the historic Caversham Presbyterian Church. There is also a courtyard with outside seating and a trampoline, a drying room and bike storage. In addition to the first floor being solely community housing, the second floor contains units that are available for private rental.

Collective agreement

The story of the units goes back to 2020, when Territorial Director of Social Housing and Property Greg Foster was approached by Russell Lund about the possibility of building and leasing social housing in the building. As with all renovations of heritage buildings, there were many challenges with design and engineering—and approvals for the project. But the Dunedin City Council was supportive, and plans submitted to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development were approved for a funding contract of an initial 15-year lease.

‘Building homes in a warehouse building that also happens to be a heritage-listed building is fraught with risk,’ says Greg. ‘But the end result that Russell and Suzanne Lund have come up with is of the highest quality.’

Greg hailed the community support and how so many people came together to get the project finished. He said while it’s a beautiful building, what’s more beautiful is the way it can hopefully help change lives. ‘It’s going to be transformational for people.’