Donating $50 million to build a new children’s hospital in Wellington has earned Mark Dunajtschik due recognition for his philanthropy.
However, the 82-year-old has also made his presence felt in the capital’s property market over the past three decades.
The flagship property in his $300 million plus portfolio is the 17-storey Asteron Centre on Featherston St, Wellington. Acquired in 2005 for just $12.6m, the site has a rateable value of $149m after more than $100m was spent in 2010 constructing Wellington’s largest single office building, with space for 2500 people.
Another gem is the Lambton Quay building that houses the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Acquired in 2000 for $15.55m, the rateable value is now a whopping $87.3m.
However, Dunajtschik is perhaps best known for his long and eventually failed legal struggle to demolish the landmark Category 1 Harcourts Building on Lambton Quay. Subsequently renovated into a hotel that will operate under the Hilton brand, the 1920s Chicago-style property was christened Mark’s Folly and is owned by a company of the same name.
Born in Yugoslavia but of German ethnicity, Dunajtschik spent three years in a Yugoslav concentration camp during WWII before escaping with his mother and becoming a refugee in Germany.
An apprenticeship in tool-making was put to good use when he came to New Zealand in the late 1950s to start a new life. Precision Grinding became Wellington’s largest tool, cutter and blade sharpening specialist before Dunajtschik sold the business to a nephew in 1987 and bought his first property from Sir Bob Jones. "I took up property investment and development more or less as a hobby and I'm still in it," he says.
Started as a hobby
Recognised as the 2017 Wellingtonian of the Year for his $50m donation, Dunajtschik’s philosophy is borne out of his own experience that people blessed with good health in mind and body can look after themselves but those born with or suffering ill health need help.
Rather than entrust the project to a government department, Dunajtschik has established the Wellington Childrens Hospital Charity to construct the building with his property partner Grant Corleison. “Most benefactors write out a cheque but, in this case, that wouldn’t get nearly as much done for the money. I can use my skill as a builder and developer to get the maximum value out of the $50 million I’m donating for our children.”
In addition to financing the establishment of Peter Button’s Life Flight Trust in 1975, he has also contributed to many education, health and sporting organisations including the Graham Dingle Foundation, Hohepa Homes and Hutt Valley Netball.
Behind the scenes, his business and life partner of almost 50 years handles the company accounts without the need for additional managerial support. In a rare interview for the Oriental Bay Residents’ Association newsletter, The Bay View, Dorothy Spotswood says the couple live a simple life and still enjoy various outdoor pursuits including deer hunting, skiing and travel.
Photo: Stuff