Inside look at $250m Paloma Paloma site in Caloundra up for sale

Two businesses still use a bright orange building on prime Sunshine Coast real estate, as the future of the $250m development site remains unknown.

The bright orange buildings in the heart of Caloundra that were earmarked to become the $250m Paloma Paloma development.

The future of a prime site in the heart of Caloundra remains up in the air as the bright orange paint on the building flakes and more vandals use it as a canvas.

Two businesses, however, still call the Paloma Paloma site on the corner of Bulcock St and Knox Ave home for now.

Mystery had shrouded the future of the $250m Cura Habitats’ Paloma Paloma proposed development when an extension date to provide additional information to the Sunshine Coast Council passed in May.

It has been two years since the buildings were coated in fluorescent orange paint in a bid to draw attention to the project.

The Paloma Paloma application has since been withdrawn from the council.

An underlying development approval still lies over the 5289sq m and an expressions of interest sales campaign closed in July.

The $250m Paloma Paloma development on the corner of Bulcock St and Knox Ave was painted bright orange.

Crazy Horse Studios artist Steven Bordonaro said an amazing opportunity came along when he was offered space inside one of the buildings.

“I jumped at it thinking that I was probably going to be here six or seven months and then it was all going to be demolished,” he said.

Crazy Horse Studios artist Steven Bordonaro still calls the bright orange Caloundra building, which was earmarked to become Paloma Paloma, home for his studio.

The artist said it was a shame that not more parts of the bright orange building were used.

“Even for pop-ups, even for three months, like a wine bar or a ceramics shop, or a little funky vintage shop,” Mr Bordonaro said.

The lifelong artist has decorated the walls of his studio in murals and bright canvases.

He is hoping for development to revitalise that end of Bulcock St.

Vandals have spray painted some of the walls of the bright orange building on Bulcock St in Caloundra.

He has successfully sold art from the space and had also organised a live music event.

“Even though I’m in here and I love it, I’d love to see it how it was depicted,” he said.

Colliers is managing the sale of the site.

“It would have lifted the area.”

A barber is also still running a business next door to the art studio.

Brisbane visitor Zac Sweetman said it was an “orange eyesore” and he missed the “culture and vibe” of the bookstore, which had moved from the set of buildings.

“It’s a prime location, I feel, at the top of the hill, prime views, prime spot and there’s just not as much life going on up here,” he said.

The bright orange paint is starting to flake and vandals have spray painted some walls.

Colliers, which is managing the sale of the site, has been contacted for comment.

Originally published as Inside look at $250m Paloma Paloma site in Caloundra up for sale