Historic Chan Building walls start coming down to make way for State Square precinct redevelopment

THE walls of the old Chan Building opposite Parliament House are finally coming down to make way for the State Square precinct redevelopment

Demolition of the Chan Building is finally under way in Darwin to make way for State Square redevelopment. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford

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THE walls of the old Chan Building opposite Parliament House are finally coming down.

After preparation work, which began in May, a giant wrecking crane has started the slow task of bringing the building to the ground over the next three weeks.

The Chan Building was the eighth and last of the large government office blocks to be built in the centre of Darwin in the 1960s.

It was known as Block 8 for the first 10 years of its work life and was named the Chan Building after Harry Chan a Chinese-Australian businessman and former mayor of Darwin around 1980.

The walls of the old Chan Building opposite Parliament House have started coming down. Picture: Gary Shipway

It is the last of this group of office blocks left standing, with the others being demolished in the 1990s to make way for the Darwin Supreme Court and Parliament House State Square precinct.

The building served as a temporary Parliament House while the current building was being built.

The Chan’s demolition makes way for the next phase of the Gunner Government’s Civic and State Square Masterplan.

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The State Square overhaul is part of the $200 million Darwin City Deal, delivered in partnership with the Morrison Federal Government and the City of Darwin.

Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics Minister Eva Lawler said remediation landscaping will take place once demolition is complete.

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“It will consist of irrigated turf, which has the ability for repurposing as the Civic and State Square masterplan is developed,” Ms Lawler said.

“As part of the Cities deal, Darwin’s Civic and State Square precinct will be revitalised to create cool, green spaces for the whole community to enjoy through activated spaces.

“Demolition of the Chan Building is the next step of the State Square overhaul that has already seen the completion of the underground car park and landscaping.