Cbus Property donates furniture from former CBD hotel to Salvation Army’s Magpie Nest project

Beds, couches, lamps and other items from a former CBD hotel will get a second shot at life — and help Collingwood and Fitzroy residents in need.

The Salvation Army's Major Brendan Nottle testing some of the bedroom furniture donated by Cbus Property Group. Picture: David Caird

Salvation Army homelessness crusader Major Brendan Nottle found himself in bed on the streets today.

But he wasn’t sleeping on the job.

Major Nottle was sampling some of the furniture donated to the Salvos after the recent closure of a Mercure hotel on Spring St.

Cbus Property, which will redevelop the site with a $300 million luxury apartment tower, has given the charity hundreds of beds, couches and smaller items such as ironing boards, lamps and alarm clocks from the hotel.

It’s believed to be one of the biggest corporate donations in Victoria this year.

About 50 volunteers, mainly staff from Cbus and Coles, have been helping to remove and relocate the furniture.

It will be used for the 45 Magpie Nest homes - a joint project between the Salvos and Collingwood Football Club to provide housing for the vulnerable in suburbs like Collingwood and Fitzroy.

Maj Nottle, who runs Project 614 in Bourke St for the Salvos, said Cbus Property’s donation was very generous.

“It’s one thing giving people a house, but what they also desperately need is a home,” he said.

“You need to make sure that they feel like they’re being treated with dignity and respect, and we believe that’s what that furniture enables us to do.”

Cbus Property CEO Adrian Pozzo

Cbus Property CEO, Adrian Pozzo, said the contribution was in line with the company’s other community involvement like Melbourne City Mission’s Sleep at the ‘G event and The Big Issue’s CEO Selling Week.

“Following strong sales and sustained inquiry into the soon-to-be-developed 17 Spring St

residences, the most responsible, community-minded option was to repurpose the furniture with the assistance of The Salvation Army,” he said.

Magpie Nest resident Trevor Wulf takes a break from removalist duties. Picture: David Caird

Magpie Nest resident Trevor Wulf welcomed the donation.

“I’m trying to get a new couch and bed, my stuff’s getting a bit old,” he said.

Construction of the new tower is due to start next month.

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@JMasanauskas