It was once a carpet and flooring warehouse, a woodwork factory, a law firm and a glamorous events centre — now number 1/34 Geelong Street, Fyshwick, is looking for a new owner.
But don’t let its unassuming exterior fool you: this red and white double-brick construction – which came to life in the 1960s and claims to be one of Fyshwick’s oldest industrial buildings – is an actual wonderland on the inside.
Most recently the home of event space HQ Thirty Four, the building has a fully renovated interior, including a full kitchen, a foyer bar and private bathrooms.
The cavernous ground and level one floors are 270sqm each and can only be described as “industrial luxe”. Supported by exposed iron beams, both levels have a reclaimed hardwood floor underneath and lofty ceilings.
Real estate agencies, creative and digital companies, and dance teachers have so far inspected the building, hoping to build their business dreams out from what is quite literally a blank canvas.
And because the building is zoned for mixed use, you can actually live there too.
Ray White Commercial’s Frank Giorgi attended an engagement party in the building early this year, and says it could easily be home to two separate businesses.
“Because it's over two levels, it has that flexibility to have two separate businesses, or even a residence upstairs,” Frank says.
“Imagine having your house upstairs and your business downstairs in a warehouse like this. It’s hard to come by in Canberra.”
If the building itself isn’t enough of a drawcard, there’s the evolving suburb it’s located in. Once a heavy-use industrial area for carpentry workshops, furniture shops and grocery wholesalers, today small bakeries, retailers and restaurants are popping up between Fyshwick’s behemoth buildings and car yards.
“With the ACT Government moving most heavy industrial activity to Hume, Fyshwick is becoming more gentrified,” Frank says.
“A lot of the heavy industrial users and heavy vehicles are now out of Fyshwick. So it's mainly light industrial users and a lot of retail and office users.
“We’re seeing a lot more creatives moving to Fyshwick. Real estate agencies. Advertising companies. Architecture firms. And IT businesses who appreciate the price point Fyshwick offers.”
Ray White Commercial’s Piette Roberts says the 400sqm carpark at the back of the building make it perfect for businesses who need extra space for storage or to park vehicles.
“It’s so unique, and Geelong Street itself is just so individual, you’ve got this funky mix of character buildings and new buildings,” Piette says.
“It’s quintessential Fyshwick.”
1/34 Geelong Street, Fyshwick, is for sale for $2,275,000 (ex GST).
By Bree Element