Cairns Post says goodbye to Abbott St building, moves office to Grafton St

The Cairns Post has moved offices, waving goodbye to the pillars of Abbott Street as they set up shop in a new location at the centre of Cairns CBD. FIND OUT WHERE

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THE Cairns Post’s team of reporters, photographers and sales staff have made the move to a modern new base in the heart of the city.

In a fresh chapter for one of the Far North’s oldest businesses, the Cairns Post has moved out of the iconic Abbott St building that has been its home since 1909.

But the team has made the short trip to 111 Grafton St – a fresh and bright building that reflects the vibrant modern approach of the business.

Cairns Post general manager Andrew Reeves said while it was sad to leave behind the institution of the well-known old building, the team is in a better position to look forward from here.

Cairns Post's Yashee Sharma, Harrison Murtough and Stephanie Campbell show off the new home of Cairns' local paper. Picture: Isaac McCarthy.

“For us, it’s business as usual and the team has hit the ground running, embracing the new office space and the future we’re going to create in it,” he said.

“We wanted to move to a more modern building that reflects our future and reflects the modern approach we’re taking to news.

“There is a nostalgic, historical sense of loss when move from a building like that but it’s set us up for a really interesting future.”

Although the business itself will no longer operate from Abbott St, Mr Reeves reassured readers that the old building will remain standing strong in the centre of the city.

“That beautiful heritage-listed facade of the old building will remain and broadcast the fact that the Cairns Post is Cairns’ oldest business,” he said. “The Cairns Post has always been about longevity and serving the community.

Reporters Andreas Nicola and Yashee Sharma work on a story together. Picture: Isaac McCarthy.

“We’re about advocating for this region, and that’s done through the people who work here and the paper we print, not the four walls we reside in.”

When asked what is to become of the future of the original Cairns Post building, Mr Reeves shared potential plans that new owners – Alex and Violetta Sekler – are thought to have in store for the site.

“I believe there are plans to turn our old building, and a number of others, into apartments,” he said.

“I fully support it. Our CBD desperately needs an increase in population density to support the businesses we have here.

“It’s a positive step forward for the region.”

Danny Betros, managing director at CBRE – a business of commercial property estate agents which handled the sale, said the new owner fully intended to retain the heritage facade and is currently developing new plans for the purpose of the building.

Originally published as Cairns Post says goodbye to Abbott St building, moves office to Grafton St