The old Junction Hotel

This old building has been a sad wreck for about 40 years having been built in the 1870's! Crumbling walls, windows fallen out, yet still stands tall. The good news is that it is going to be renovated: Downstairs, there will be a restaurant with adjoining bathroom facilities.

Next door to the restaurant, which will be run by a third party, the renovations will create a bar, with a private nook opening off to one side.
They will be lowering the ceiling in the downstairs rooms and refurbishing the beautiful heart timber, such as kauri and rimu, which has been used in the original construction. Many of the original features, which are still in situ in the building, will be refurbished and if possible, made into operational units.


The upper level, which will be converted into three accommodation rooms, is accessible via a wooden staircase which will also be refurbished as work progresses.

They will be working closely with engineers and the Historic Places Trust as the refurbishment and renovations progress.

The building also requires a new roof, steel strengthening beams and new windows and doors,

As this is just down the road from us, this will be our local pub! And overflow of guests if needed

[judith deacon]

What a beautiful old building, I'm so glad they are going to restore it to it's former glory!

[Austin]

What a great story. Can hardly wait to hoist a pint.

[Lorna]

This lovely old building definitely deserves the tlc you describe. Who's paying? Great it will be somewhere you can use, Maggiemae.

[Kerri]

Beautiful building

[Ann Stenson]

WOW!......Fabulous capture of this Awesome building! : )

[Sharon Lee]

Glad it's getting a renno… great capture before hand, will be great to compare afterwards

[Catherine W.]

Cool building and looks like a fun place to hang out!!!

[Myrna O'Hara]

quite the interesting building. Congrats on the flowers on the PP the other day.

[Sheila]

That is an amazing old hotel. Wish it could be restored!

[Vee]

Looks like a promising watering hole! Hope you can post an "after" photo!

[Kathryn Marshall]

Great architecture shot. I am glad this building is being saved and put to such a good use.

[Sharon]

Nice capture. Sounds like a big project.Bet it will look great when finished. I would love to see it after it is done.

[Maggiemae]

@sailingmusic Thanks for that, Myrna - not expected of course but nice when it happens!

[Maggiemae]

@tesnonian That is planned - might be some months away though!

[Maggiemae]

@lornareid It is actually privately owned by someone in another town!

[Maggiemae]

@austin1966 Meet you there for that pint, Austin! Hope we aren't in wheelchairs by then!

[Yvonne]

That sounds like a lot of work--can't wait to see the "after" shot. Great shot, maggiemae.

[Marie]

Wow ... love it against the white sky

[Mags]

Wonderful capture and narrative, Maggiemae! Always happy to read about stories like this!

[Caryn]

So glad they are making use of this building...it is beautiful.

[☠northy]

wonderful photo of a very cool looking building!

[Harry J Benson]

glad they are preserving it :)

[Michael Elliott]

Love all the colors on that bright white.

[sue-capetown]

Love the shot what an interesting building - standing alone and proud even in its 'decline' the white and the colours make it a great subject choice. very pleased that it will be renovated to its former glory, shame no one did this earlier .. but glad it will happen.

[Maggiemae]

@suelaubscher It is going to be so interesting to record when the windows go in, when the stone exterior is cleaned and new doors!

[sue-capetown]

Yes we we want to be kept updated with a photodiary :-) And the interior too.

[Maggiemae]

@suelaubscher I'l have to go and make myself known to the owner! Holp!

[Darlene]

What a gorgeous old building. How nice that they are renovating it. Sounds like it will be a great place for many to enjoy and a great addition to where you live.

[sue-capetown]

@maggiemae oh they will probably love to have a photographic record of the progress :-) from dilapidation to glory!

[Maggiemae]

@suelaubscher Thanks Sue - I'll remember those words!

[Arthur Loosley]

Good to know that it is going to be saved, and will no doubt continue to serve for many more years than a modern replacement.

[Maggiemae]

@wordpixman Yes that is so important! Not those chrome and glass structures!

[jerry plume]

I love seeing old buildings like this being renovated! Sounds like its going to be a great spot! Can't wait to see your selfie of you sitting inside with a glass of suds! :)

[Tessa]

Glad to hear they are going to do something with the building. It has fantastic charactor

[Maggiemae]

@orangecrush I hope it's not to long but I can actually get down there in a mobility scooter! Lol!

[Maggiemae]

@tesssa At one stage, Tessa, about 40 years ago, there was a second hand bookshop in there and I bought a full series of leather bound Hammond Innes which will remain a treasure forever!

[Amanda Thepanda]

lovely old building

[Maggiemae]

@corymbia Thanks for your comment - if you look at the detail above all the windows and the main top facade, it's too good to lose as in demolition!

[Diana Moss]

So glad to hear this grand looking building is going to be saved

[Carole Imes]

So happy to hear they are renovating this lovely structure with an old world look. It will be a fabulous site for a restaurant and look fwd to seeing photos of the finished work.l

[Lillian]

I use to go out and photograph old abandoned houses. I haven't done it for quite some time (can't find any). I love old buildings, barns, and houses.

[Peter de Graaff]

Great that it will be restored. Looks to be a piece of history

[cynce frantz]

this building even though looking so rundown has so much character and elegance. wonderful capture and back story.

[Ruth Moucharafieh]

Fabulous building even in its current state...will wait to see the new look!

[tony gig]

Beautiful old Building, hope they do it justice Maggie

[Sebella O'Donovan]

Good shot.

[Gerry]

Maggiemae this very impressive . Gerry.

[Jim Reid]

Fantastic looking building. Hope you can post a photo when its finished.

[Mick]

That's great news about the restoration Maggiemae, it's sad that lovely old buildings like this so often get neglected.

[robinwarner]

now that looks like a cool hotel....i bet it will look great...

[Margaret Gozzard]

nice to see this building being given a new life

[Mary Downing Hahn]

It's great the building will be saved -- nice photo.

[Linda]

Wonderful old building, so glad they are restoring it! Good capture!

[Linda Lorraine]

Great that they are going to renovate! Love the building...great processing too

[Laura Thornton]

I love it when beautiful buildings are restored. Nice shot.

[Juliette Packham]

great capture of the dereliction - love the colours - good to hear it's going to be restored and put to good use

[michelle mcintyre]

Love that they are going to restore this lovely old building - great shot!!

[Julian]

You have some wonderful buildings in Oamaru. I visited your town in 2008 on a trip to NZ and photographed two similar buildings. All this and penguins - what a great place to live!