McConachie Stedman Toowoomba

Newlands Commercial Construction undertook the refurbishment and repurposing of the existing two-storey building at 160 Hume St, Toowoomba, which previously housed several dated tenancies. The result was the creation of a contemporary, open-plan office environment with facilities including a lift, private office spaces, high-tech meeting rooms, an admin/reception area, kitchen, dining area, and amenities on both levels.

Given the project involved renovating a 30-year-old building, there were several challenges for the project team to overcome. Among these was the discovery of inadequate parapet wall lateral restraints to several existing walls, demanding swift and innovative design solutions. Fortunately, the team were able to address the issue promptly, undertaking additional engineering and structural work with consent from the client.

Another significant hurdle was the retrofitting of a lift into the confined space of the building. This entailed meticulous cutting and removal of slabs, the construction of a concrete foundation and the erection of a brick shaft penetrating the roof structure – all while preserving the building’s structural integrity.

Along with these challenges, the building was located on a busy street which is considered a state-controlled road corridor, which posed additional constraints on access. This required the project team to adopt innovative working processes to mitigate the negative impact on neighbouring businesses and the public.