Council begins work on Courthouse Hotel
DANIEL BATEMAN to the state-approved removal of items containing asbestos within the nearly 100-year-old building’s roof cavity, as well as the removal of some of the non-heritage additions installed by the previous owner.
“These include shade sails, a deck extension, fencing, planter boxes, the bar and other internal fittings,” she said.
“This is a major step towards bringing the building back to its heritage stage in preparation for restoration works.”
The council bought the former CBD pub for $5.75 million, locking its doors in 2016 where it has remained untouched and left to deteriorate.
The council plans to transform the former courthouse into a world-class visual arts precinct, linking the Cairns Art Gallery, the former Mulgrave Shire Council building, and a new $13.7 million multistorey gallery complete with bar and rooftop garden.
However, the project has yet to be fully funded, after the Federal Government rejected a council application late last year for $13 million in funding.
Cairns Chamber of Commerce president Nick Loukas said it was great to see work finally starting on the courthouse, which had become a CBD eyesore.
“This has been a beautiful building left stagnant,” he said.
“I think everyone in this community looks forward to having it open and back to its former glory.”
He said the council’s plans for the arts precinct were “fantastic” and it would continue the beautification of the city centre.
“Hopefully, there will be plenty of support from the state and federal governments,” he said.
The earliest expected completion of the entire gallery precinct project is 2021.