Grab your dehumidifiers and dustiest mates, notorious Castle Street flat The Dairy is available to rent in 2025. After a year or two of sitting unoccupied, the infamous six-bedroom flat is up for grabs for $150 a week, a price that’s been labelled “expensive” by a previous tenant (still cheaper than the rest of Castle, though).
The Dairy’s deep origin story is that it used to be a dairy (figures). Specifically, a bright, Shrek-green abomination called ‘King’s Corner Dairy’. Since its days selling energy drinks and pies to hungover students, it (allegedly) went through refurbishments to establish a six bedroom flat on the pivotal corner of Howe and Castle St. Four bedrooms occupy the main building, while two bedrooms sit in the back as a sleepout.
Taking advantage of the flat as advertising space, Kirin Hyoketsu temporarily leased the building to use during the 2024 O-Week period, eventually repainting the building blue after the season was over. With so much lore surrounding The Dairy, Critic Te Ārohi sought to get to the bottom of its arrival back on the market in the only logical way possible – booking in for a flat viewing. With pleas for fake breatha flatmates on the staff group chat going unanswered, it may have been fate that the viewing was cancelled.
Undeterred, Critic continued our sleuthing by hitting up Dunedin Property Scouts to yarn with the property manager about The Dairy’s comeback to the rental market. That plan also failed, with calls going unanswered.
Left with little other option, Critic chatted to Ryan, our very own spot the difference master and former resident of The Dairy who lived (survived?) there for a year in 2021. “Well, it wasn’t really my choice [to live there],” said Ryan. “I had a couple mates that were studying down here and they wanted to live on Castle Street and I think it was a bit late so it was the only option left for them.”
When asked why The Dairy has a reputation of being a shitbox, he replied, “Cos it is. Doesn’t have any windows in the lounge, it’s a big L. There’s probably some inherent problems with the architecture. But you could probably add some nice stuff.” He added, “It was an amazing flat though, if you’re brave enough.” Critic Editor Nina, who had visited the flat while they lived there, said she assumed he was referencing the confidence it took to pee in a bathroom with the door off the hinges.
As for the new rent of $150 per week, Ryan said, “[That’s] expensive I reckon, but the location is good. When we were there we paid $130 per week in 2021 for six of us. Back when it was green, I was sad to see that go. It was just green for many years, and we were the last flat for it to be green. Don’t know why they did that.” Can we get an RIP in the comment section for the green paint.
As of writing, The Dairy is still up for grabs, allowing you and your mates to live your Castle Street breatha dream. But maybe don’t show your mum the property listing.