The deadline sale of the former residence of Dunedin poet and editor Charles Brasch, is to proceed after the University of Otago decided against an 11th hour purchase.
Dunedin's literary community called on the Dunedin City Council and the university to buy the Heriot Row house where Brasch lived until his death in 1973. But it seems those pleas were unable to move the organisations in time.
‘‘The university only learned that the property was on the market via a phone call yesterday morning,'' a university spokeswoman said yesterday.
‘‘The call was from a local writer who suggested that the DCC and university purchase the property.
‘‘We take our property purchase decisions very seriously and each acquisition is considered in light of our strategic direction and financial resources.
‘‘In making our final decisions, we rely on well-developed proposals and a business case. For this particular purchase, we do not have the level of information required to make a considered decision.''
Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull said the council had contacted the vendor's estate agent to see what options were available, but was informed it was unlikely the sale could be delayed.
The property was being sold by the estate of its previous occupier and it appears it was the first time the house had become available since Brasch's death more than four decades ago.
Dunedin writer Gay Buckingham championed the preservation of the house, especially considering the city's status as a Unesco City of Literature. She proposed administering the house by trust after its purchase, as similar literary havens - such as Janet Frame's Eden St house in Oamaru - were being protected.
The agent selling the property, Lane Sievwright, of Edinburgh Realty, said any decision to delay the deadline sale - which takes place at noon today - would have to come from the estate. No such instructions had been received yesterday.
The house's current zoning did not allow any significant development. It was within the heritage precinct and any changes to the property had to be in keeping with the characteristics of the area.
However, under the mooted 2GP zoning up to 10 bedrooms could be accommodated on the section.
