Dunedin's Temple Gallery, one of New Zealand's most historic buildings and which once housed the world's southernmost Jewish synagogue, is up for sale.
Temple Gallery, in the heart of city, began life as a synagogue in 1864, dating it as the oldest such place of worship in New Zealand. In 1881 it was converted to a masonic hall and for the next 111 years was used by several of the city's lodges.
The Historic Places Trust lists the category one building as being "of outstanding historical significance".
The property is being marketed for sale by tender through Bayleys Dunedin, with tenders closing on November 7.
Bayleys Dunedin director Robin Hyndman said the imposing two-storey building was a masterpiece of Victorian architecture and was befitting of its ranking among the most important historical buildings in New Zealand.
"The multi-purpose nature occupation of Temple Gallery means the opportunities for its future are certainly varied, and as a result, we are expecting interest from a broad cross-section of parties," he said.
The 960sq m building was bought in 1992 by husband and wife developers and art dealers Peter Duncan and Victoria Timpany. The couple retrofitted the building's interior into two apartments and an adjoining fine art gallery. Peter Duncan died in 2005 his widow has put the property up for sale.
The synagogue was designed by Henry Clayton, who also engineered such other landmark Dunedin buildings as All Saints Church on Cumberland Street and the old Port Chalmers Post Office.
NZN