Mackay architect lands dream job designing agave farm’s centres

Top Shelf International’s new agave farm south of Bowen will transform land-based tourism in the Whitsundays, and a Mackay architect is thrilled to be part of the journey.

Gordon Gould Ipson director Paul Ipson designed a concept for Top Shelf International's tasting silo at Eden Lassie, south of Bowen. Picture: Contributed

A Mackay-based architect has landed a dream job and client, developing plans for Top Shelf International’s agave farm experience south of Bowen.

Gordon Gould Ipson Architects director Paul Ipson said the opportunity to design the distillery showroom, restaurant and visitor information centre at Eden Lassie was a “once in a 25-year opportunity”, and a boon for regional skill sets.

“This is a dream for every architect to be involved from this stage, and something that is going to be game-changing and developing a whole new industry, let alone a product from a tourist perspective,” Mr Ipson said.

The farm perspective for Top Shelf International's agave farm at Eden Lassie, south of Bowen. Picture: Contributed

“It’s a once-in-a-25-year opportunity; I’ve been in Mackay 25 years and this is the first it has happened for me.”

Mr Ipson was given the proverbial clean slate five weeks before the project concept designs were revealed to a small group of local and national media at Eden Lassie, south of Bowen.

Gordon Gould Ipson director Paul Ipson says he is thrilled to work on a project like Top Shelf International’s agave farm at Eden Lassie, south of Bowen. Picture: Contributed

The group was given exclusive access to the farm and Top Shelf International directors as they explained how the first product would enter the Australian market in September.

They also revealed the ambitious plans Mr Ipson had drawn up and that would now go into the fine-tuning stage before being lodged with the Whitsunday Regional Council for approval.

Gordon Gould Ipson director Paul Ipson designed a restaurant perspective for Top Shelf International's agave farm at Eden Lassie, south of Bowen. Picture: Contributed

Mr Ipson said he was thrilled to be involved in the project from the ground up, and was thankful at the level of trust TSI had put in a regional architect.

“A client that is obviously of international standard has confidence to engage a local architect to do their project is great,” he said.

Top Shelf International says the Eden Lassie farm has the size capable of supporting a premium Australian agave spirit category and brand on an international scale. The size of the farm and production capacity will place TSI in the top 25 of the world's agave spirit/tequila producers. It has the potential to be a $100m -predominantly export – annual business. Picture: Contributed

“That’s all an architect wants, to have that trust to be given the opportunity to show their skills and abilities.

“And as a regional architect, that doesn’t happen very often.”

Originally published as Mackay architect lands dream job designing agave farm’s centres