Bar and offices planned for infamous ‘grease building’

Grant gives iconic building owners confidence to push forward as Townsville’s Deputy Mayor revealed as a past ‘frequent flyer’ on Flinders St.

Developers and joint owners of the historic Queens Hotel building, Brodie Jankovic and Kayle Wright. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Mark Molachino has revealed he was a victim of Townsville’s infamous “grease building”.

It gave the city’s deputy mayor even more reason to welcome the council’s decision — now some years later — to provide funding to help restore and clean up the building.

As a younger man Cr Molachino was a “frequent flyer” of the nightclub strip on Flinders St East where the building’s former owner used to smear it with grease to deter young people congregating outside.

Cr Molachino said the grease spoiled one of his shirts.

“I was a victim. I was a frequent flyer in Flinders St East back in the day. I spent a bit of time in the Bank nightclub next door and came outside for a rest, lent against the window and the rest is history. I’m not the only one who suffered through that,” Cr Molachino said.

Developers and joint owners of the historic Queens Building, Kayle Wright and Brodie Jankovic with Deputy Mayor Mark Molachino. Picture: Shae Beplate.

He was now excited to see the building’s new owners — Brodie Jankovic and Kayle Wright — be awarded a council grant under its city activation policy.

“That we are going to activate this (building) is exciting because that’s exactly what we want to do with these policies,” Cr Molachino said.

Jack Cooper, owner Foundation Carpentry, is restoring the historic Queens building on Flinders Street. Picture: Shae Beplate.

The building’s owners with the help of Foundation Carpentry are restoring the two-level building — heritage listed and one of Townsville’s most historic — for use as a bar on the ground floor and offices above.

Mr Wright said a scrubbing brush was used to remove the grease from its walls.

“I was still getting grease on me ‘til yesterday,” Mr Wright said.

Mr Jankovic said the council grant gave them the confidence to push ahead with the work.

It has been reroofed, its facade restored and windows repaired. More work is awaiting the approval of the council and the state’s heritage council.

Called the Queens Building, it was built in 1887 and named in honour of Queen Victoria who celebrated her Golden Jubilee that year but in recent years it was a daggy barber shop which also sold souvenirs and gifts.

Mr Jankovic said they were discussing its future lease to a local bar operator who would provide canapes, table service and cocktails.

He hoped it could be operating before winter next year.

Originally published as Bar and offices planned for infamous ‘grease building’