Kingsberry Harcourts undertakes $2m transformation of the former Paddy’s Markets
Formerly home to Townsville’s iconic Paddy’s Markets, a derelict building is unrecognisable after $2m renovation to become home to a thriving real estate agency. See how it looks now.
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A derelict 1950s warehouse is barely recognisable after undergoing a $2 million ground-up restoration to become the new office for a thriving Townsville real estate agency.
Once home to Townsville’s iconic Paddy’s Markets and Eureka Street Furniture, the building at 82 Charters Towers Rd, Hermit Park had been sitting empty for about five years before being purchased by Kingsberry Harcourts in May last year.
A locally owned and independent group of companies backed by internationally renowned franchise group Harcourts, Kingsberry Harcourts has over 40 years experience helping North Queenslanders buy, sell, or rent properties.
The move to 82 Charters Towers Rd maintains the agency’s enduring connection to the busy road in the “centre of Townsville”, having previously been based at 108, then 210.
Harcourts Kingsberry Townsville managing director Ben Kingsberry said the move was necessary given that they had outgrown their former office, where desks were positioned in the lunch room and 60 staff shared two toilets and 23 parking spaces.
“We needed somewhere that was large enough that we could accommodate the team and provide the amenity we have, along with needing a pretty significant amount of carparking space.
“(82 Charters Towers Rd) has 3500 sqm of land. That building needed a huge amount of work. It was reasonably derelict when we bought it … but we had a vision for that building and that space, and what it could be.”
The business worked over the past 12 months to design and build a state of the art workspace that was a warm and welcoming environment with first class amenities for the team, as well as clients and customers.
Backed by local businesses including Counterpoint Architecture, Gedoun Property Group, Milford Planning, NPS Commercial Furniture, the building underwent a significant restoration process to upgrade its dated internal fit-out and replace the 1400 sqm asbestos roof.
Since moving in early August, along with their neighbouring business Little Pegs Cafe, Mr Kingsberry said the team was “stoked” with their comfortable new office, serviced by around 50 parking spaces.
“We’ve tried to do something that sets a bit of a new standard for staff amenity which we think we’ve achieved pretty well,” he said.
Despite its open plan, he said the noise in the office was amazinging controlled due to the quality of acoustic design.
They also installed four soundproofed Framery booths, which act as private spaces for people to make phone calls without having to leave the office.
Happy with the room to grow, Mr Kingsberry said the business was on the lookout for skilled individuals who might be interested in new opportunities.
For more information, visit: www.kingsberry.com.au.
Originally published as Kingsberry Harcourts undertakes $2m transformation of the former Paddy’s Markets
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