The bluestone landmark, located at 3 Dawson Street Ballarat, was originally designed and built in the 1860s and has since served as a church, and later a nightclub and restaurant, before falling into disrepair.
Owner and restorer, Michael Whitehead, seized the opportunity to salvage the building which had lay dormant and become overrun with vermin, engaging local company, Nat Twaits Building, to manage and complete the project.
Mr Whitehead outlined that the design philosophy of the project was to bring the property into the modern era, while retaining the architectural style and unique elements.
“Our focus was to honour the architecture of the building while also creating a liveable, modern residence,” Mr Whitehead said.
“We not only retained and restored the building’s striking roman columns, but have also incorporated the original Baptism pit as a feature of the main living area.”
Project leader and builder, Nat Twaits of Nat Twaits Building has been working on the restoration since 2019.
Nat highlighted their specialisation in intricate builds and renovations as the catalyst for being selected for this project.
“Michael had a clear vision for what he wanted to achieve and we worked closely with him to bring this to life, using our eye for detail and commitment to high-quality to produce an outcome befitting the building’s architectural history,” Nat said
“We’re excited to reveal the finished product with the Ballarat community, and beyond, many who have fond memories of the building over its lifetime.”
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