School of Arts project launch

Construction will start on the redevelopment of the School of Arts building in March 2016.

Cairns Regional Council today endorsed the Project Launch for the overhaul, which includes additional space for the Cairns Museum.

The building will be extended on the Shield Street side to provide two full floors plus a mezzanine level to be utilised by the Cairns Historical Society. This new museum space will be in addition to that which the organisation has tenanted since 1980, allowing the museum to expand significantly.

Upgrades to meet current Australian standards for mechanical and electrical services and accessibility will occur, as will replacement of the air-conditioning system.

The Art Deco awning and façade will be restored and the ground floor space will be upgraded and made available for commercial use.

Works have already been carried out to upgrade service connections such as water, sewerage, drainage, gas and electricity.

Built in 1907, the School of Arts is one of Cairns’ oldest buildings and is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. Improvements and extensions were carried out in 1932, 1939 and 1984.

Also at today’s meeting, Council awarded the major construction contract for the project to Hutchinson Builders at a cost of $6.45 million.

The upgrade is scheduled for completion in early 2017.

For more information visit Cairns Regional Council