Imagine an airport at the end of Otago Harbour, a tunnel under Mt Cargill, and aerial walkways connecting buildings on the University of Otago campus.
These are just a few of the bold plans that would have transformed Dunedin’s landscape if they had been realized.
Unfortunately, many of these visionary projects remained confined to architects’ offices and old newspapers, overshadowed by changing trends, public opposition, and political conflicts.
Some of the most ambitious schemes can be traced back to the 19th century, a time when Dunedin was the industrial and commercial hub of New Zealand.
Even before then, the locals were dreaming big.
For instance, in 1846, surveyor Charles Kettle briefly considered Bell Hill as a suitable site for a castle in his town plan, following instructions from the New Zealand Company to include fortifications.
Fast forward to 1852, when the Anglican community planned to build a church in the Octagon, only to be redirected to a new site due to opposition from the Presbyterian community.
Decades later, in 1968, the city planning department proposed closing the main road through the Octagon, a concept later taken up by the Otago branch of the New Zealand Institute of Architects.
One of the most ambitious proposals came from Ernie Webber in 1931, envisioning a tourism operation in Southland that included steamer and motor boat services, light rail routes, and hotels. However, the economic depression thwarted this venture.
Even when projects were completed, funding limitations often led to compromises in their original designs. St Joseph’s Cathedral and St Paul’s Cathedral are examples where the structures were scaled back from their initial plans.
Architectural competitions also shaped the city’s landscape, with the municipal chambers and other landmarks taking different forms than originally intended.
Some proposals, like the demolition of the municipal chambers in the 1960s, faced public backlash and were eventually abandoned, leading to alternative developments.
Among the numerous unrealized projects were plans for a ship canal to Dunedin wharves, a reconstructed early settlement at Jubilee Park, and a viewing tower at Toitū Otago Settlers Museum.
Proposals for a two-way tunnel under the University of Otago campus and large shopping malls in the suburbs were limited by the city’s district plan.
Redevelopment of Dunedin’s waterfront has also been a topic of discussion, with various visions put forward over the years, such as Damien van Brandenburg’s 30-year plan for the Steamer Basin.
These unrealized dreams are a testament to Dunedin’s history of ambition and innovation, where grand ideas sometimes remain just that – ideas.
10 Unbuilt Landmarks in Dunedin:
1. THE BRIDGE ACROSS OTAGO HARBOUR
In 1886, plans for a toll bridge across Otago Harbour faced opposition and were eventually abandoned.
2. THE HARBOUR AIRPORT
Debates around building a city airport in Dunedin lasted for over 30 years before being overtaken by progress at Momona.
3. THE CIVIC SQUARE
Proposals for a civic square in the Exchange area during centennial celebrations were never realized.
4. THE TUNNEL UNDER THE MOUNTAIN
Plans for a road tunnel under Mt Cargill in the 1950s were replaced by the Northern Motorway.
5. THE PENINSULA RAILWAY
A private railway line to Portobello in 1874 faced competition from horse-drawn trams, limiting its reach.
6. THE HOSPITAL AT PINE HILL
A proposed hospital in Pine Hill in 1912 was abandoned due to concerns over location and cost.
7. THE ELEVATED RAILWAY
A viaduct proposal for the railway line through the city in 1920 never came to fruition.
8. THE SMELTER AT ARAMOANA
A controversial plan for an aluminium smelter at Aramoana was abandoned in 1981 due to public opposition and financial constraints.
9. AERIAL WALKWAYS ON CAMPUS
Proposals for pedestrian overpasses on the University of Otago campus in the 1960s were replaced by a traffic-free campus.
10. THE WATERFRONT HOTEL
A 27-storey hotel project on the waterfront in 2012 was scrapped due to public opposition and planning constraints.
Additional information provided by Hocken Collections archivist David Murray.
