Heritage Strata Painting in Manly Restoring the Historic Dungowan Building

A strata building like Dungowan does not let you forget how long it has been standing. Originally constructed in 1919, it is an iconic part of the South Steyne beachfront streetscape in Manly and has been for more than a century. Recently, we had the honour of restoring its heritage interiors with a fresh look while respecting the historical architecture. It is a project we are genuinely proud to have delivered.

At Dukes, we’ve been transforming spaces with high-quality, safe commercial painting solutions since 1958. We work across various sectors, including strata, education, commercial property, aged care and retirement living, and government, and we have extensive experience working with heritage assets. We take real pride in our work and see each project as another quiet contribution to the fabric of Sydney.

When you’ve seen Manly evolve over more than one hundred years, you’ve seen a lot. Buildings from Dungowan’s era are integral to the character and charm of this high-end suburb and contribute to its identity.

What stands out architecturally is the strong symmetry and proportion in the arches and columns, the fine plaster detailing and decorative ceiling features, and the grand yet balanced entry sequence, supported by a thoughtful interior design direction. When you walk through the doors of Dungowan, you’re not entering an ordinary strata building. You’re entering a piece of history.

The scope of works for any project must be clearly defined before a single stroke of paint is made. That is even more important for heritage properties, where there are additional considerations. For this magnificent building in Manly, the scope covered the ground floor ceilings, walls, columns, skirtings and decorative features, along with entry doors and frames, service and fire doors on the common sides, and hallways from Levels 1 to 6, including balustrades and architraves. For these projects, the intention is to enhance, not reinvent. The space must be elevated while protecting its original character.

The brief was clear, even if the work itself was detailed. The repaint needed to align with the design direction from designer, Monica, of Hamptons House Sydney and Monica Ford Interiors, while respecting the 1919 architecture. Decorative elements required precise multi-colour application, and all works had to be carried out within a fully occupied building. Coating systems also had to suit the coastal environment to ensure long-term performance.

Structurally, the building was sound, but visually it was beginning to show its age. Finishes were tired, and previous colour schemes no longer complemented the architecture. Surfaces reflected years of wear, metalwork required careful preparation, given the coastal setting, and there was extensive plaster failure that had to be repaired before any new paint could be applied.

That kind of deterioration is typical in heritage buildings. It rarely happens all at once. It builds slowly over time, which is why it needs to be addressed properly rather than simply painted over.

Work like this is not just about colour. It is about control. The lobby and stairwell required mobile scaffolding to reach the required heights safely. Ladders were used for detailed ceiling and wall work. Floors and surrounding surfaces were fully protected with plastic and plywood or core flute sheeting, and access to unit and service doors was carefully managed so residents could move in and out without disruption.

The detail is in the preparation. Surfaces were cleaned and washed down, loose and failing paint scraped back and sanded smooth, cracks and defects repaired, stains sealed and metal treated for rust before any new coating was applied. On a building of this age, you just cannot skip the remedial repair stage.

Being in a coastal location greatly impacts the selection of paint and materials. For Dungowan, that meant opting for a Dulux system designed to withstand ongoing salt exposure and moisture. Ceilings and walls were sealed with acrylic primers and finished in durable low-sheen and flat coatings, timber doors and trims were undercoated and finished in gloss and semi-gloss for resilience, and metalwork was treated with rust guard enamel to reduce the risk of corrosion.

A project of this nature depends on more than just the painting contractor. From the outset, we had a clear structure around communication, and our dedicated Project Manager oversaw delivery and provided weekly updates to keep stakeholders informed. Site samples were applied and approved in writing before full application began to ensure alignment before any final decisions were made.

We were very fortunate to have the assistance of a resident project lead, Sheridan, who worked closely with the designer, Monica (Hamptons House Sydney and Monica Ford Interiors), and our foreperson, Camilla, throughout the process. That collaboration was particularly evident in the selection of the main entrance wall colour, where Camilla applied two alternative samples to assess tone and depth in natural light. Reviewing the options on site allowed everyone to make a confident final decision and strengthened the overall result.

The final product? The shared spaces now feel considered and cohesive. Residents have expressed genuine appreciation for our professionalism and workmanship, and there is a clear sense of renewed pride in the building. In heritage properties, presentation has a direct impact on perceived value and long-term asset performance.

Our resident project lead, Sheridan, is a long-term owner and resident at Dungowan. As Secretary of the strata committee, she took on coordination of the project from the resident side, and her previous career as a project manager meant she approached it with a unique perspective and understanding.

For the strata committee and the owners at Dungowan, the priority was achieving a high-quality finish that respected the building while remaining within a sensible budget. The job needed to be done once and done right, so when Dukes came in with a competitive quote and a like-minded philosophy, it felt like the right fit.

Sheridan also spoke highly of the collaboration involved, highlighting designer Monica Ford (Hamptons House Sydney and Monica Ford Interiors) and Dukes foreperson, Camilla.

Monica had prepared storyboards months earlier to help owners begin visualising the direction for the foyer. Before the final colour selection was made, Camilla painted large swatches on the walls in different locations so they could be viewed under various lighting conditions and changing light throughout the day. Sheridan said seeing the colours in the actual space gave Monica and all decision-makers the clarity they needed. And when it came to decision-making throughout the project, the rest of the strata committee was extremely supportive, which was instrumental in keeping things moving as the work progressed.

Final touch-ups are currently underway, but the transformation is already obvious and has been very well received. Sheridan says the atmosphere in the building feels lighter, and the refreshed interiors have lifted the energy in the shared spaces. Neighbours regularly stop in the halls to say how much they love it. With new furniture and artwork planned, the owners and residents at Dungowan will soon be able to fully enjoy the finished interior.

Over six weeks, the works were completed while Dungowan remained fully occupied, with careful staging around resident needs.

This was more than a simple refurbishment for us. Projects of this magnitude require patience, precision, collaboration and thoughtful design input. Being able to apply that care to a building of this significance and see it given renewed life is deeply rewarding.

If you own or manage a heritage-listed building, delaying maintenance because it feels complex or sensitive can cost more in the long run. With the right approach, experience and respect for the original architecture, remedial and repainting works can be carried out carefully and confidently.

Contact our team to discuss your needs today.

Project design by Monica Ford (Hamptons House Sydney and Monica Ford Interiors).
Contact: 0414 770 225 | monica@hamptonshouse.com.au