This building, built in 1952 as a nurses’ residential facility and left vacant for the previous 14 years, has now been completely refurbished by FDC. Work commenced with a full encapsulation of the building before removal of existing asbestos as well as major demolition and strip-out works. Major façade restorations were then undertaken with a significant amount of repairs to the concrete balcony areas, replacing the majority of 1000 window lintels and installation of new brick ties and more than 1500 new windows. Earthquake stability measures were introduced and new services and plant were also installed.
There were a number of heritage considerations such as retention and refurbishment of marble stairs, original glazed internal shopfront and reconstruction of an original communal bathroom and a residential wing, with items saved and refurbished from the old nurses’ quarters.
This work has been finished to a high standard by FDC and is an asset that blends old with new in quality and style.