Longs could herald Margaret St boom
New tenants announced for redevelopment
THE launch of the redeveloped Longs Quarter building could help revitalise a section of the Toowoomba CBD, according to one agent.
Several tenants have already been finalised for the redevelopment on Margaret St, which was behind scaffolding for much of 2018.
These included newlyopened venture Sweet Talk Coffee, while clothing retailer Fox and Willow Boutique will actually move out of Grand Central Shopping Centre to relocate to the Longs Quarter.
The redevelopment was planned by Mark Adamson, designed by StruXi Design and built by McNab Construction. Colliers International has handled the leasing of the tenancies.
Mr Adamson said the entire top floor of office spaces were filled.
“The top floor is full and Fox and Willow are also opening up in January. We’re negotiating on the last of the spaces,” he said.
“The last of it will be able to be solved by the end of the January at this rate.”
LJ Hooker’s Mike Stewart said the redevelopment of the 103-year-old building represented what could be possible in the Toowoomba CBD with money and vision.
When I first came to Margaret St, it was basically offices. It’s now starting to pick up pace. This is a generational change,” he said.
“The Longs Building had been an issue for years, because until Mark and investors came along, nobody had the money or vision before to convert it.
“We’re starting to see a renaissance in Margaret St.
“You’ll never know until you give it a go, and we should be encouraging people like Mark to do what they’re doing.”
The redevelopment will be good news for Margaret St’s sometimes struggling retailers, who have had to endure the rise of Grand Central Shopping Centre and closure or relocation of several shops.
Recently, the Khan brothers relocated Cioccolato and Primitivo from the CBD.
Thai Royale shut its doors in May due to a staff shortage, and the issue of empty offices and shop fronts became a public debate between real estate agents in 2017.
The Toowoomba Regional Council has tried to improve access and patronage into the street by cutting parking limits to one hour.
The council was also investigating removing a building to create a new laneway onto the successful Walton Stores.