Major DFS Galleria redevelopment gets approval from council
Ambitious plans to partly demolish two historically significant buildings in the Cairns CBD to make way for a 14 storey residential tower have been approved by Cairns Regional Council.
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Ambitious plans to partly demolish two historically significant buildings in the Cairns CBD to make way for a 14 storey residential tower have been approved by Cairns Regional Council.
The first part of the development successfully sought approval for a development permit to knock down sections of the former Cairns Telegraph Office at 4 Spence St currently occupied by up market resort wear brand Tommy Bahama.
Under the plan, parts of the former Cairns Post Office at 14-16 Abbott, which was part of the now closed DFS Galleria complex, would also be demolished.
But the facades of both buildings will be preserved.
The applicant Graf (Cairns) Pty Ltd, of which well-known Cairns developer Frank Gasparin is the co-director, also plans on fully levelling the DFS Galleria building which has been vacant since May 2023.
In its place will be a new 14 storey, 50m tall building containing 44 units and two commercial spaces.
Cairns city councillor Rob Pyne said a residential tower of this scale could, in-part, be a solution to well-documented problems in the CBD.
“We need more people living in the CBD and I acknowledge the problems that confront the CBD are best addressed by a vibrant inner city population that live in the area and that’s the reason I’m supporting it,” he said.
Councillor Cathy Zeiger also indicated strong support for the proposal.
“I’m also very supportive, it’s great to see some growth, it’s great to see more accommodation,” she said.
“I’m very impressed and hopefully it will spark more development in that area.”
Building owner Frank Gasparin, who has pushed council for years to invest in an improved Abbott St revitalisation, said there was a need to upgrade a prominent area of the CBD.
“I think it’s going to be great, we went to a lot of trouble to make it a different building and add character to the street,” he said.
According to the Flagstone Property Group website, the DFS Galleria building is for sale and its rumoured owner of the Cairns Post building next door, Russian rich-lister Alex Sekler has his eye on the landmark property.
Mr Sekler gained council approval for a 13-storey tower to be built over the historical facade of the Cairns Post building in March 2024 but construction is yet to kick off.
The second part of Mr Gasparin’s approved development application was to reclassify usage of the new building from retail only, to accommodation, shops food and drink outlets, a function centre, offices and a bar.
Councillor Brett Moller noted the detail contained in the 512 page planning report.
“It’s exciting to see the landscaping and terraced gardens, there’s a lot of native shade trees which is what we want with our tropical urbanism,” he said.
“We want to see the CBD transition to a central living district and this is what this development enables but importantly its driven by the market and we work with developers ensuring it’s a good development, in tune with our city, expected by our residents, so (I’m) very pleased to see that DA before our council.”
Council approved the development unanimously on Wednesday without councillor Matthew Tickner who declared a conflict of interest and abstained from the vote.
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