ONE of the city’s first highrise office buildings has been given a much needed facelift.
The Ipswich Corporate Centre, built in 1973, is in the final stages of a $60,000 project updating the exterior and work is expected to continue on internal fit-outs during the next six months.
The seven-storey building has a commanding position at 16 East St.
Owners the Sayle family said the works brought the building back into the modern skyline the city was becoming.
Rob Sayle said when the business took over the building in 2000, the former Bendigo Bank office and the Bell St tower were the only other main highrise buildings in the CBD.
Since then the Metro Hotel Ipswich International, Aspire, Tower Central and Icon Tower have added their mark on the city.
“Ipswich is growing up,” Mr Sayle said. “We’ve seen a few buildings change. A lot of it is the smaller investors and they are proud of their city.”
The works include a new colour scheme for the exterior, wiping out the dated creme colouring, new artwork for the entrance awning and a renovated entry.
“You look around and you think the council is on the right track, we don’t want buildings looking old and dilapidated, we want to present a good impression,” Mr Sayle said.
Higgins Coatings manager Lachlan Jack said it took a crew of four painters and a team of abseilers four weeks to complete the external works.
A 125 foot boom was brought on site and workers abseiled the front of the building as part of the job.
Jenny Sayle said the project was a year in the planning but was spurred on by a letter from Mayor Paul Pisasale encouraging businesses to take part in the “Clean Up Business Month”.
That letter called for the business community to take on small tasks such as “cleaning windows, refreshing garden beds, removing old signage and posters or a coat of paint”.
The impact the “coat of paint” has had on the Corporate Centre and the city was something Cr Pisasale was quick to praise.
“It is tremendous to have the support of people like the Sayle family who put their heart and soul into the city,” he said.
“Rob is a great example of a good corporate citizen who not only invests in our city’s future but shows that caring factor and pride in Ipswich.”