Lancini in move to CBD

DEVELOPER Laurence Lancini is moving shop but not from Townsville.

The managing director of Lancini Property and Development and North Queensland Cowboys chairman confirmed yesterday his group was shifting from its prominent Garbutt premises after 24 years.

However, speculation he was leaving Townsville was misplaced.

“I’m not moving from Townsville. I love Townsville,” Mr Lancini said. “I’ve decided I’m going to move from ( Garbutt) and redevelop that site.”

Mr Lancini has been involved in the property industry for more than three decades, growing his company from a Townsville- based home construction business to a statewide operation involved in all facets of property development, particularly retail and commercial projects.

He said he had acquired an office building in the CBD at 52 Walker St.

Mr Lancini plans to move his group’s Townsville office into that property early next year and retain an office in Brisbane, where he has also traded for many years.

Mr Lancini said he had first bought the prominent site on Dalrymple Rd with a view to redeveloping it.

“I have got some ideas but I’m not quite ready to disclose what they are,” Mr Lancini said. “I want to finish what I’m doing in the city first.”

The Lancini group has developed the City Lane and City Arcade projects in Flinders St.

The company is redeveloping and expanding the City Point shopping centre at the corner of Sturt and Stokes streets. Tenants, including the Commonwealth Bank, are expected to move in later this year.

The Lancini group is also developing warehouse facilities for its business at Corporate Cres, Garbutt.

The Walker St property, opposite the law courts, has a freestanding office building and plenty of parking.

It is currently home to developer Lendlease which is believed to be relocating to offices in Denham St.

Mr Lancini said he wanted to move his office because he believed everyone needed to support the CBD.

“In the next three or four years we will look back and say, how great is this city,” he said. “I have great faith in the CBD. “When the stadium and other things happen, I think we will see a changed environment.”