Work starts on 'cornerstone' CBD redevelopment project

THE upcoming redevelopment of one of the Toowoomba CBD's most beloved retail stores will be a flagship project for a burgeoning section of the city.

Shots of Rowes redevelopment in the Toowoomba CBD. Picture: Contributed

THE upcoming redevelopment of one of the Toowoomba CBD's most beloved retail stores will be a flagship project for a burgeoning section of the city.

Work has already begun on a $10 million transformation of Rowes Furniture Store across Russell and Victoria Sts.

LJ Hooker Toowoomba agent Chris Stewart said stage one of the project would focus on the facade and the downsizing the showroom.

"The façade is getting changed, it's getting replaced with a lazer-cut screen," he said.

"We're halfway through stage one, nearly. Stage two will be the upstairs tenancies and the car park out the back.

"Then there's a retail grassed area that backs onto Victoria St."

Rowes redevelopment in Toowoomba CBD. Picture: Contributed

The redevelopment will downsize the showroom, while creating 1400sq m of flexible premium office space upstairs and create cafe tenancies at the back of the premises.

Mr Stewart said the mix of old and new would be a shot in the arm for the Toowoomba CBD, especially in highlighting its growing laneway culture.

"The main thing we're doing is bringing it back to its historical flavour," he said.

"It's about making sure we're giving this modern amenity but bringing it back to those historical roots.

"A big focus for us is bringing that CBD vibrance back to Toowoomba. 

"When we were consulting with the Rowes family, we were asking about what would draw people back into the CBD.

"Connectivity and technology were big on our agenda, but we're making sure we're paying homage to the history of Rowes. It was a collaboration between us."

The project is part of the Railway Parklands priority development area, which was created to encourage inner-city living and support CBD businesses.

Mr Stewart considered the Rowes redevelopment as an essential cog in the precinct.

"It really lends itself to anyone and the CBD location allows you good access into Grand Central and it's in the PDA," he said.

"We see it is as the cornerstone with that parkland precinct.

"We're hoping that will bring some foot traffic down Victoria St a bit more and back onto Russell St."

The redevelopment is expected to be finished in May 2020.

Originally published as Work starts on 'cornerstone' CBD redevelopment project