Tropical residential tower set to top former Cairns Post office
The 1908-built Cairns Post Office is set to undergo a major redevelopment which will seek to create a new hub for the Far North Queensland hub.
Sky Commercial Pty Ltd, directed by Alex Seckler, is seeking to redevelop the old 1908-built Cairns Post office at 22-34 Abbott Street in the heart of Cairns' CBD. Seckler, who acquired the heritage-listed building in 2021 for nearly $4 million, promptly expanded his holdings to include the adjacent strip of shops, creating an impressive 1.1-hectare amalgamated site.
The more than 100-year-old Cairns Post building has been dormant for many years since the newspaper's operations ceased on the site.
The development application, prepared by Kelly Reaston Development and Property Services and designed by Hunt Design, outlines a vision that combines luxury accommodation, dining, and shopping along Abbott Street. The premium apartments planned for the site aim to cater to a unique market demand in Cairns.
"The overarching design concept is to create a poster child for tropical urbanism, to formulate a building that amplifies that Cairns is a city in a tropical garden," the application states.
At the heart of the development is a tower that will rise above the existing structures, offering an array of amenities and lifestyle options. The tower's design incorporates three levels of parking, a residents' recreation area with a pool, and eight levels of short-term accommodation, featuring 75 units.
A mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments will be on offer, ranging in size from 67 sqm to 178 sqm.
The architects have responded to the evolving desire of people to return to city living, seeking the convenience of having everything at their doorstep.
"The introduction of a suite of new residences are designed to attract buyers seeking a premium product with limited intervention on maintenance, security and offering high levels of amenity," the Design Report noted.
This trend has been on the rise, driven by factors like proximity to The Esplanade with its various attractions, dining options, entertainment venues, professional services, and a diverse range of retail and commercial outlets.
The tower's design takes full advantage of the natural beauty and climate of Cairns. On the first accommodation floor, residents will enjoy a recreation area complete with a gym, spa, amenities, and a swimming pool. The pool features a glass frontage four levels above the street, creating a visually captivating element, while a wide sun deck on the same level enhances the overall experience, creating a tranquil space that further separates the tower from the lower-level heritage buildings.
The tower's aesthetic is characterised by its highly articulated design, with wide balconies that create horizontal lines and shadowed building facades. The architects have ingeniously employed a setback of the carpark face and a recessive treatment to allow the heritage buildings on the ground level to stand beside the tower structure.
Sustainability was also a focus in the design, with wide doors incorporated throughout that open alongside openable windows, facilitating cross-ventilation, naturally cooling the living spaces and minimising the need for air-conditioning.
