When getting to the cache Cargill's Castle is on your left, where you will also see many other examples of modern day "castles" as progress encroaches on the past. Cargill's Castle, known as The Cliffs, was built by Edward Bowes Cargill, a member of the founding Cargill family and a prominent Dunedin business man and political leader. It was designed by Frances William Petre, a leading New Zealand architect, and its location on the St Clair cliff tops has ensured that it remains a Dunedin landmark.
In 1876 work began on EB Cargill's mansion on the cliffs above St Clair, which like the homes of other prominent Dunedin citizens, stated in miniature the same themes of certainty and progress that the city's public buildings were designed to convey.
The Italianate styled building was designed by one of New Zealand's most outstanding architects, FW Petre. Petre is best remembered for his superb church architecture, of which St Joseph's Cathedral in Dunedin is an excellent example. Known as 'Lord Concrete' for pioneering use of this building material, Petre constructed the walls of the Castle in poured concrete and the ruins make possible the study of his building methods.
The building had a number of unusual features, incorporating Cargill's original ideas on the subject of house design. All the main rooms faced away from the sun, and there was a toilet by the front door as it was 'a necessary function - nothing to be ashamed The drawing/dining, room was on the left of the main entrance, with the stairs to the right leading to the kitchen and utility areas. The bedrooms were located on the upper floor. In all, the building had twenty one rooms. A semicircular drive enclosed the front lawn, flanked by the croquet lawn to the east and the outbuildings to the West . The spectacular views were offset by the wind, so strong that parts of the shelter belt did not grow straight.
The issuing of a demolition order for the castle aroused strong community concern. A public meeting of approximately 80 people was held at the St Clair Surf Club on 13 August 1997. Notice of the meeting had been brief and not well publicised but the attendance was unexpectedly high, reflecting the high level of public concern that had already been noticed in calls to both the Dunedin Visitor's centre and the Regional Office of the NZ Historic Places Trust.
After this meeting, the Cargill's Castle Trust was formed and entered into negotiations with Mr Collett in order to retain the castle, which is a significant part of Dunedin's cultural heritage, as part of the future of Dunedin.