Plans for Scurr Bros Mitre 10 site, Mt Gravatt
IT was a go-to spot for hardware before the rise of Bunnings and a fixture on one of Brisbane’s busiest roads, now this well-known southside building is set for a facelift.
Southeast
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THE landmark Scurr Bros’ site is set to get a major facelift that will bring new businesses to Mt Gravatt.
The 7417sq m property at 1437 Logan Rd will be transformed into a health and wellness-style centre by May 2019.
The centre is expected to become home to retail outlets, a gym, physiotherapist, a medical consulting business and a childcare centre.
The site was first owned by the Scurr family in the early 1900s and RP Data records show it was sold in 2001 for $3.45 million.
The site is now valued at $4.7 million.
Current owner Pigozzo Group is keen to retain the iconic building but give the structure and the carpark a freshen up.
Helen O’Brien, a descendant of the Scurr family, is pleased with the new plans for the site and hopes the name will be retained.
“I am glad the building won’t be demolished,” she told the Southern Star.
A Development Application for the site was approved by Brisbane City Council more than five years ago, allowing demolition of the current building and creation of new retail and commercial spaces, including spots for a restaurant, shops and offices.
There was also approval given for 110 “multi unit dwellings”, ranging in size from one to three bedrooms.
However, Pigozzo Group has confirmed the demolition of the Scurr building and the creation of the residential component of the project will not go ahead.
Instead, Pigozzo Group spokesman David Seeney said they would be “retaining the existing building” as it was an “integral part of the history of Mount Gravatt” and the planned rejuvenation aimed to ensure this history continued into the future.
The Scurr Bros name will also be retained at this stage.
Mr Seeney told the Southern Star the health and wellness centre was intended to revitalise the Mount Gravatt area, with the hope the Scurr site and Mt Gravatt Central would feed into each other.
There would be a “focus” on the “transition” to and from Mt Gravatt Central, Mr Seeney said.
The former hardware store will be transformed into a multi-level office-style centre with different businesses occupying the space — about four or five in total.
“Each of these (businesses) will have individual entrances,” Mr Seeney said.
There will be “vertical access” within the building to the different floors and businesses.
The Scurr site refresh includes moving the telecommunications tower, which is situated on the Logan Rd side of the site, redoing the carpark and the levels and refreshing the inside and outside of the building, including the sunhoods and windows.
Mr Seeney said Pigozzo Group’s intentions were to maintain as much brick as possible and potentially retain the yellow colouring on the building. However, when the site was owned by Scurr Bros, the Mitre 10 symbol had a blue background and this was painted onto the side of the building.
Mr Seeney said the site had “icon status”.
Southside businesses love idea
Southside Chamber of Commerce president Kathleen Lewis told the Southern Star the Scurr site had been an “integral part of Mt Gravatt” for as long as she could remember.
“I grew up in Mt Gravatt and the site was the go-to before Bunnings,” she told the Southern Star.
“It is an iconic part of our history.”
Ms Lewis said the plans for the site would be “a great addition to the area”.
“Concentrating on health and wellness is good for everyone in the area,” she said.
Veteran businessman Michael Sunderland, who is the sales manager and trainer at Karalis Real Estate, said he hoped the health and wellness centre would bring new clients to the area.
“It is great to see the old Scurrs building will be back with new traders,” he said.
“We are seeing growth in the strip with four new businesses opening in the last couple of months.
“There was a large development plan for the site some years ago.
“It would be great for the community if the car park was open to the public.”
Balance between historic, modern
It is a fine line between remaining current and holding on to the history of a suburb, according to southside politicians.
State Member for Mansfield Corrine McMillan told the Southern Star she was happy with what the owners of the historic Scurr Bros site had in store for the Logan Rd building.
“The name Scurr has been synonymous with the Mt Gravatt district for more than 100 years,” she said
“The family business began as a blacksmith forge before moving into motor body works and finally timber and hardware, all on the same site on Logan Rd.
“I am very pleased that this latest Scurr’s building, which was built in 1973, will be retained as it will now be a visible link to this great family who served our community so well.
“Development and growth in a community such as Mt Gravatt Central is a part of the growing economy, but we should also be careful that in embracing change we do not destroy the things that made our community great. “The decision to refurbish the Scurr’s building is a fine example of the balance that can be achieved.”
Holland Park councillor Krista Adams said: “This site has always buzzed with activity and plans for the building to be transformed into a health and wellness centre is great news for the community, who are so enthusiastic about seeing this building restored to its former glory.”
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