The Legacy of Albert House.
History Lives Here.
Albert House has been part of Dunedin’s story for more than a century. Originally built in 1887 by George Munro, the property has served many roles over its lifetime, from early rental accommodation and horse stables, to a base for the St Clair Bowling Club. In 1912, it underwent a substantial expansion, wrapping around the southern and western sides of the building, and became the home of the Salvation Army.
In the years that followed, it evolved again into a boarding house. But as Dunedin grew, the area around Beach Street transitioned into a peaceful, family-oriented seaside neighbourhood, Albert House was left behind. No longer fit for commercial use and too vast and impractical for modern residential living, the building slowly fell into disrepair. For more than 25 years, it has stood vacant, derelict and beyond repair.
An independent engineering report confirmed extensive water damage, rotting timber, seismic hazards, and major structural failure throughout the building. It was formally classified as both Dangerous and Insanitary under the Building Act, with demolition deemed the only safe and responsible path forward. Heritage NZ, archaeologists and local Iwi have all supported the new chapter for the site.
While the original building will be removed, great care has been taken to preserve its story. Blue Sky Property has commissioned a full high-resolution 3D scan, archaeologists have documented the site, and original bricks will be reused in the fencing and landscaping. Subtle architectural references to the former building have been incorporated, and a street plaque featuring an historic photograph will be placed on the corner as a reminder of where this story began.
The new development has been thoughtfully designed to reflect the spirit of the original structure. In a fitting full-circle moment, Mason and Wales Architects, who were involved in the area’s early development, have returned to reimagine the site for the next century of life at St Clair.
THE DEVELOPMENT
Set on Dunedin’s most sought-after development site, this elevated north-facing corner sits just 150 metres from St Clair Beach. Albert House represents the transformation of a historic local landmark into a new era of boutique coastal living.
The design combines timeless detailing with a fresh, contemporary edge, celebrating both the site’s history and its unrivalled position within the city’s most desirable suburb.
THE LOCATION
It’s more than just a location, it’s a community. St Clair is absolutely thriving right now. It’s a place where the local barista knows your coffee order, and where good times and memories are shared daily. Just a short stroll to Piccolo Bar, Dunedin’s newest boutique wine and pizza bar, or grab an ice cream from Sorella Gelato after dinner at Salt Bar.
Start your day with a swim at the beach or a soak in the Hot Salt Water Pool, then enjoy a morning walk along the sand to St Kilda and back. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a few sea lions basking in the sun. Before long, you’ll be part of the St Clair story yourself, creating new moments in a neighbourhood that offers so much.
Open plan luxury.
Albert House offers a seamless transition to luxurious, modern living where every detail has been thoughtfully considered.
Including:
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Three spacious bedrooms
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Juliet Balconies off the primary bedroom
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Media or large study room
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Two well-appointed bathrooms
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Two-car garaging
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Separate laundry and ample storage areas
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Designer landscaped courtyards with hardwood timber decking
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Freehold property title
Albert House offers a seamless transition to luxurious, modern living where every detail has been thoughtfully considered.
Including:
-
Three spacious bedrooms
-
Juliet Balconies off the primary bedroom
-
Media or large study room
-
Two well-appointed bathrooms
-
Two-car garaging
-
Separate laundry and ample storage areas
-
Designer landscaped courtyards with hardwood timber decking
-
Freehold property title
Crafted, spacious living.
Indulge in the ultimate low-maintenance lifestyle, with more time to enjoy the pursuits that matter most. These homes are complete with an exceptional range
of high-end finishes, including:
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Premium ‘Fisher & Paykel’ appliances
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Sleek engineered stone benchtops
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‘Escea’ Holographic electric fires
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Luxurious ‘Bremworth’ wool carpets
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Elegant timber flooring
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Elevators in each home
Delightful entertaining.
Designed for effortless outdoor living, each home includes a warm, sunny north-facing outdoor space. Hardwood timber decking creates seamless indoor to outdoor flow, complemented by a thoughtfully designed architectural fence line and layered planting for privacy and atmosphere.
A Nod to the Past.
Mason & Wales have taken great care to honour the character of the original Albert House in the new design. Subtle architectural elements, including parapet and gable rooflines, bay windows, Juliet balconies, and the building’s original form, have been thoughtfully reinterpreted to carry the spirit of the
past into this next chapter.
Mason & Wales have taken great care to honour the character of the original Albert House in the new design. Subtle architectural elements, including parapet and gable rooflines, bay windows, Juliet balconies, and the building’s
original form, have been thoughtfully reinterpreted to carry the spirit of the past into this next chapter.
Ready to enjoy from the moment you arrive, these homes will be fully finished and crafted to the highest of standards. Every detail, from the layout to the materials, has been thoughtfully selected to create a warm and welcoming place to live.
Each residence is a masterpiece, meticulously crafted by Mason & Wales Architects, one of New Zealand’s most respected and multi-award-winning architectural practices.
Designed for effortless outdoor living, each home includes a warm, sunny north-facing outdoor space. Hardwood timber decking creates seamless indoor to outdoor flow, complemented by a thoughtfully designed architectural fence line and layered planting for privacy and atmosphere.
Indulge in the ultimate low-maintenance lifestyle, with more time to enjoy the pursuits that matter most. These homes are complete with an exceptional range
of high-end finishes, including:
-
Premium ‘Fisher & Paykel’ appliances
-
Sleek engineered stone benchtops
-
‘Escea’ Holographic electric fires
-
Luxurious ‘Bremworth’ wool carpets
-
Elegant timber flooring
-
Elevators in each home
FLOOR PLAN
SPECIFICATIONS
Quality & high standards you can trust.
Blue Sky property group prides itself on building to the highest of standards and supporting trusted local and kiwi companies. Where possible, we source quality local and NZ brands and products such as: ‘Escea’ Fires, ‘Bremworth’ Carpets, ‘Methven’ tapware, ‘Gib-Board’, Pink Batts ‘Ultra’ and locally made designer kitchens. We only use trusted quality products that come with excellent warranties.
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Construction Foundation - Concrete Slab
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Framing timber 90mm SG8 H1.2
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Framing Intertenancy Wall – combination of concrete block and Gib Intertenancy Barrier System (or similar)
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Insulation - Wall - Pink Batts ‘Ultra’ R2.6, Ceiling - Pink Batts ‘Ultra’ R7.3
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Exterior Roof - True Oak® Corrugate, Gull Grey
Exterior Cladding
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Cedar Weather Boards – “Dune” Colour Stain
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James Hardie Liner Weather board with battens.
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Painted Plaster “Dulux Cardrona”,
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Midland Brick, Euro Largo Range
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Juliet Balcony – Mix of steel, timber and hardwood decking
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Window & Door Joinery - Thermally broken window frames with high spec Low- E double glazed glass - “Gull Grey”
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Internal Doors - Paint Smooth Finish Hollow Core
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Door furniture – Windsor architectural series
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Lining - Painted Gib, Level 4 Plaster
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Water Heater , Mains Electric Hot Water
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Lighting & Electrical - LED Recess Down Lights
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Smoke Alarms
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Ceiling – Architectural battened and grooved
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Kitchen & Dining Flooring – Forte loft range timber flooring
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Lounge Carpet – Bremworth 100% Wool Levante
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Walls - Stopped and painted plasterboard
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Skirtings - Painted timber
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Entry Doors – Humes Ascent Series – Gull Grey
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Windows / External Doors - Double glazed powder coated aluminium hardware
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Heating - Escea Holographic electric fire
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Fujitsu 6kw Heatpump With Wifi and Remote
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Digital Touch Pad Front Door Lock – E-lok Smart key pad
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Window furnishings – Roller and Venetian Blinds
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Carpet – Bremworth 100% Wool Levante
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Walls - Stopped and painted plasterboard
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Primary Bedroom Ceiling - Architectural battened and grooved
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Bedrooms 2 & 3 Ceilings - Stopped and painted plasterboard
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Windows - Double glazed powder coated aluminium hardware.
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Built in wardrobes
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Skirtings - Painted timber
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Doors - Painted hollow core with selected Schlage door furniture
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Window furnishings – Roller and Venetian Blinds
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Kitchen Cabinetry - Premium locally made kitchens and design with European Hardware
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Large Single Sink - Stainless steel insert
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Benchtop- ‘Primestone’- Engineered stone – Fox Glacier
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Tapware – Progetto Tube – Brushed Nickel
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Oven – Fisher & Paykel 60cm Series 7 Contemporary Pyrolytic Oven 9 Function
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Cook top – Fisher & Paykel 60cm 4 Zone Induction Cooktop
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Dishwasher – Fisher & Paykel 60cm Energy Smart double dish draw
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Rangehood – Fisher & Paykel Integrated rangehood
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Refrigerator - Fridge/freezer alcove in kitchen joinery for owner-supplied fridge
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Flooring – Forte, Loft Range, timber flooring.
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Splashback Feature tile to architect’s specification
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Basin Mixer – Progetto Tube – Brushed Nickel
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Vanity Unit –St Michel wall hung premium vanity unit with vessel basin/s,
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Mirror - Double LED Backlit mirror with demisters
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Shower – fully tiled showers with niche and frameless glass
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Shower mixer – Progetto Tube – Brushed Nickel
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Toilet – Adesso Urban Back to Wall
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Bathroom Floor tiling – Wave 600x600 Bianco
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Heated towel rail
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Bathroom extractor fan
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Wall heater
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Robe hook
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Powerglide – Series A Elevator with 2 speed operation
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Carpet – Bremworth 100% Wool Levante
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Walls - Stopped and painted plasterboard
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Skirtings - Painted timber
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Window furnishings – Roller and/or Venetian Blinds
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Velux skylight
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Fujitsu 6kw Heatpump With Wifi and Remote
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Data points
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Mix of landscape pavers and hardwood timber decking
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Architecturally Designed front fence
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Either natural grass/synthetic grass
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Carpark, entry path and driveway – exposed aggregate concrete
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Planted with a mixture of plants and trees as per landscape plan
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Clothesline
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Garage carpets
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Custom laundry with cabinetry and bench top
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Storage and shelving
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Electric double garage panel door
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Smart WiFi enabled Heat pumps and Escea Holographic fire
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Thermally broken window frames with high spec Low- E double glazed glass
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Wired for high-speed broadband
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Above industry standard insulation throughout Exceeds Healthy Homes standards
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North Facing living areas and courtyards to maximise warmth and light - Minimising power bills
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WHO WE ARE
Dunedin’s premier new-home developer, leading the way in building better homes for modern living.
Blue Sky Property Group stands at the forefront of Dunedin’s luxury home development, setting the standard for exceptional living.
WHO WE ARE
With over 120 years of combined experience in property development, our expertise allows us to deliver homes that not only meet but exceed the expectations of today’s discerning homeowners. We craft residences that are both innovative and functional, with attention to every detail, ensuring unparalleled quality and comfort.
MASON & WALES
New Zealand’s first architecture practice, renowned for its enduring legacy of excellence.
Blue Sky Property Group is proud to collaborate with Mason & Wales, one of New Zealand's most respected architecture practices. Established in 1862 by William Mason, New Zealand’s first Architect and Dunedin's first mayor, Mason & Wales has since played a significant role in the development of architecture throughout New Zealand.
Based in Dunedin, the practice’s enduring legacy continues today through a commitment to thoughtful and innovative design creating some of the country’s most notable and iconic architecture.
We’re honoured to be part of this story again. It’s a privilege to be
involved to reimagine a project our practice was involved with more than 100 years ago. Our vision is to celebrate this heritage while crafting contemporary coastal residences that feel inherently at home in St Clair today.
Positioned on a premium, north-facing corner just 150 metres from the beach, these four exceptional homes are inspired by the
textures and materials that define St Clair’s architectural character.
The design will combine traditional craftsmanship and modern
coastal details, offering a refined yet relaxed lifestyle. A truly elevated living experience for their future owners.
Matt Barbour | Architect Associate
Mason & Wales Architects
HOW TO PURCHASE
Our experienced team are here to guide you through the purchasing process. We’ve designed it to be straightforward and transparent, so that you can be confident while making your purchase.
1
Choose your preferred property
Sign your contract and submit your offer.
2
Due dilligence period
There is a 5-business day cooling off period so that you can do your due diligence and make sure the property is right for you.
3
Pay your 10% deposit
This money is held in a lawyer’s Trust Account until it’s time for settlement.
4
Watch as the build progresses
You’ll get regular updates from our team on how it’s all progressing.
5
Get ready for settlement
Make sure your financing is in place and talk to your lawyer, so that everything goes smoothly on settlement day.