A Rockhampton Icon: The former post office that evolves with the times
In Rockhampton, the former Rockhampton Post Office at 80 East Street is one of the most prominent and grand buildings in town, reflecting both the city’s boom years and its ongoing ability to evolve with the times.
“It is a standout building in Rockhampton, and almost every local is aware of ‘The Old Post Office on East Street’, says Mitchell Coombe of mrrealestate.
While it was once used to package and send parcels and letters to loved ones, it now serves as a commercial site for cafes, restaurants and community hubs with a current opportunity to join the residency as a tenant.
A civic centrepiece born in boom times
Designed by colonial architect George St Paul Connolly and built between 1892 and 1896 by builder Dennis Kelleher at a cost of £14,368, the Post and Telegraph Offices (as it was originally known) rose during a period of economic prosperity, sparked by mining and pastoral expansion in central Queensland.
The two-storey brick edifice, faced with local sandstone and crowned by a clock tower, embodied the ambitions of a city defining itself as a regional centre of commerce and communication.
The Old Post Office is a prime example of Victorian classical architecture. Key features include its double-level colonnades, triangular pediments over entrances, intricate stonework from Stanwell Quarries, and the central clock tower that has overseen Rockhampton’s changes for more than a century. Despite interior modifications to meet modern needs, the building retains its original street-front facades on both East and Denham streets.
From postal hub to versatile heritage space
Although its primary function as a post and telegraph centre has long ceased, the building has evolved with changing times. It has housed various tenants, including cafes and community organisations, and in recent decades has undergone restoration works, including lift installations, upgrades to electrical and air-conditioning systems, and improved internal fittings to adapt it for modern commercial use whilst respecting its heritage envelope.
While the tenants and interiors have been updated, there are still remnants of the past to be found across the building.
“There is still a safe from when the Australia Post was in the building, although we cannot access it,” says Coombe.
Opportunity at 80c East Street
Now, one portion of this heritage icon, known as 80c East Street, is being offered for lease. At 338 square metres, the space is suited for a restaurant or cafe. It features a large and versatile layout with high visibility frontage on East Street, plus, of course, its heritage charm and historical reputation within the town. The lease is listed at $126,000 plus GST and outgoings.
“The opportunity for the new tenant isn’t limited; although the current fitout of the vacant suite is set up for a restaurant,” says Coombe.
“There is a fair few commercial opportunities on East Street, but this building is one of a kind. Once a tenant has secured the lease, it is usually a long-term agreement.”
