Repairs at Quest top $5m

EXTENSIVE repair works on the smoke-damaged Quest Toowoomba apartments in the CBD continue five months after an inferno destroyed two neighbouring buildings.

More than $5 million damage was caused to the award-winning Margaret Street short-stay apartment complex when a fire broke out at Amigo’s Bar and Grill on June 13 this year.

The intense heat from the inferno caused extensive damage to the eastern side of the hotel with repair works starting a week after the devastating blaze which also razed the Adrenalin Climbing Gym.

FKG, which owns the building, has been carrying out repair works initially estimated to cost about $4.5 million but managing director Gary Gardner said that had since been revised to more than $5 million.

Mr Gardner said the hotel was likely to re-open in January next year and works were “going to plan”.

“Mainly the smoke damage has been the biggest (issue),” he said.

“The smoke acts like an acid.”

Initially it had been expected to re-open within three to four months but the extensive smoke damage had pushed out the re-opening schedule.

“It’s an entire new fitout on the inside,” Mr Gardner said.

“It has all been painted, with new carpets, furniture, the decks had to be re-tiled with new handrails.

He said the hotel would “come back as brand new”.