A $2.7 MILLION facelift is well underway for what was once voted among the ugliest buildings in Bathurst.
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The former McIntosh, McPhillamy & Co building on the corner of George and Howick streets was “well overdue for a bit of love”, according to owner Meg Bolam-Williams.
Ms Bolam-Williams – who worked for years with her father, the late Bruce Bolam, a well-known Bathurst property investor - said she was looking forward to turning his dream into a reality.
She said she and her father worked closely on the building’s design.
“This was his crowning glory. He was thinking it could be the best building we have,” she said.
The development will be undertaken in three stages. The first is the construction of three new shops in what was previously a car park on the George Street side of the complex.
The former Flower Box store on the corner will also have floor-to-ceiling glass installed along its front.
In the second stage, modern panels will be fitted to the outside of the building and an awning will be erected that will cover the entire footpath.
In preparation for this, huge concrete panels, each weighing three tonnes, were removed from the outside of the building in late May.
The third stage of construction will include a new foyer, a lift and the refurbishment of the first floor.
A new coffee shop will take up residence next to the former Flower Box store on Howick Street. There will be no change to retailers on this side.
Ms Bolam-Williams said she was yet to find tenants for the three new shops along George Street, as well as the former Flower Box shop.
The first floor of the building has been vacant for the past five years, however, Bolam Property Investments is hopeful of a “blue chip tenant” moving in.
“We’ve been having very encouraging discussions with a government agency and they’ve had a test fit-out,” Ms Bolam-Williams said.
She said the “building will really bring something to the city”.
“This is one of the busiest corners in Bathurst … it’s full of cars right through until nine or 10 o’clock at night,” she said.
Ms Bolam-Williams is the first to admit the building was outdated.
“It was a masterpiece in the 60s, but it’s well needed for a bit of love,” she said.
A heritage style was considered for the building, but Ms Bolam-Williams said its layout would not allow for this to happen.
In the end, its design will be modern and bright and in the style of American architect Richard Meier.
“It’ll be a bright, very light, modern, well-lit building,” Ms Bolam-Williams said.