Moresby House To Be Restored To Former Glory
A building originally constructed in 1899 at the Royal Naval Dockyard is set to be restored to its former glory and converted into office space, WEDCO said today.
Moresby House – later called HMS Malabar – was built in 1899 as the residence of the Office-in-Charge of Works, or OCW, and will be restored and converted into office space under plans submitted by the West End Development Corporation [WEDCo].
General Manager, Andrew Dias said: “The plans are already with the Planning Department and we hope to advertise tenders very soon. The idea is to have the work finished by April 2017.
Historic photos of the building:
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“The reason this project has been able to be delivered is because the Ministry of Works has provided a grant.”
The Minister of Public Works Craig Cannonier said: “To see this fine building restored to its formal splendour will be fitting tribute to the building’s rich history.
“Located at the mouth of Dockyard, this culturally and historically significant building will serve as a precursor of what’s to come for those entering our historic Dockyard – where the buildings tell a tale of times gone by.”
The OCW managed the construction and maintenance of all buildings, roads and bridges and was a pivotal position overseeing major works such as the building of South Yard, now the site of Oracle Team USA and SoftBank America’s Cup bases, as well as the construction of the first Watford Bridge.
Moresby House was severely damaged in a hurricane in 1916 and substantially rebuilt to its present design at a cost of £9,000 later that year.
The building ceased to be used as a residence in 1951, when the Dockyard closed, but was resurrected in 1965 as the Royal Navy shore establishment HMS Malabar – all RN shore establishments are commissioned as ships.
Initially the headquarters of the Senior Naval Officer West Indies, HMS Malabar continued in operation in a variety of roles until 1995 when the Royal Navy presence at Bermuda was withdrawn.
The renovation is the latest investment in Dockyard by WEDCo which is planning to invest about $10m in the area this financial year.
Projects already completed include the renovation of the Glassworks building, a make-over of the Sail Loft, work on the North Basin building and renovating the Spar Lane Apartments.
Mr Dias added: “We decided that commercial office space would be a good option for Moresby House as we want Dockyard to be a place where people work, rest and play.
“We want the area to be a vibrant, year-round place to be, which offers places to work, as well places to relax and to have fun.”
The Minister, PS Francis Richardson and Andrew Dias inside and outside the building as it today:
Surely as Minister of Public Works, he would set an example by at least wearing a hard hat.
No brain. No need.
If I fix it up myself can I claim dibs on that front porch for America’s Cup?!
So when can I expect my personal invite to the Americas Cup Parties that are going to be hosted here Andrew/Craig? Perfect spot! Who’s going to be paying for it?!
What a load of sheet.
Who the hell is going to pay for this. WEDCO ?
Government.
April 2017?
That’s like just under 6 months.
Which Government department will inspect it so it is sound to be occupied.
If I ever needed a dark and stormy it is right now.
Folks………you can’t make this sheet up.
Once the Ac is done your gonna see what happens.
There will be a new PLP government.
But of course it will not affect the profits but sure will re-direct them.
Only idiots and paper people dislike reality.
About time such a beautiful building that has gone unnoticed for a long time. Now the AMC is coming now WEDCO notice.
2 cruise ships parked with a bunch a bored tourists walking round like zombies but its gonna be a office space..bermuda is a joke
Glad to see it is being repaired. If not for the Americas Cup it would have stood until it fell down! I guess they wanted to smarten up the entrance to the dockyard and have a place for a party.
What a gorgeous old building! So cool that it will be restored….and create some construction jobs in the meantime! Well done, Wedco.
Another expensive job for one of the “boys”. Knock it down, it will cost the taxpayers a lot less.
Amazing no money to fix up Victoria Row but they find the money for this serious.
Smh
WHAT FOR that is a waste of money , you cant even look after way you have ,let alone open another can of worms.
They used iron RE bar back then, don’t you lot know when a building has seen better days
Now go pay of our enormous debt
So sad to see how many replies don’t value historic buildings. I wish they wouldn’t demolish Albert Row I used to live there many years ago when no one cared about that end of the island
Terribly sad that this beautiful and historically important building was allowed to decay like this.
Why not approach the British, Royal Navy and other British interest for input and financial investment; I’m sure they are very much interested in this project.