HISTORY RESTORED: Currie Street’s Whalley Chambers’ facade being refurbished to former glory

“It’s amazing how many locals stop and express their excitement and appreciation for the work we are doing to this amazing building” …  Jason and Zane Williams and Stephanie Wilson reinstate the façade of Whalley Chambers.

The builder behind the restoration of the Whalley Chambers building at 65 Currie Street Nambour says he is proud to be bringing a piece of history back to life.

Jason Williams and his Son Zane Williams of JW Construction Management said they had completed extensive work on the building over the past 15 years and believed the latest reveal would add some long-lost character to the main street.

Jason has been working alongside his son Zane and several local tradies on the project to upgrade and restore the building to modern standards while aiming to retain the building’s original charm. 

Whalley Chambers original brick face was exposed to the street again in 2019 after many decades.

“It’s amazing how many locals stop and express their excitement and appreciation for the work we are doing to this amazing building,” said Jason. “We hear some great stories from long-term locals who recall all the different businesses that have been in this building over the last 100 years. One local recalls stopping every day on his way home from school and watching through the windows as the engineers serviced model-T fords. Another regular visitor past the site told us that his family frequented the Bistro that once existed on the huge basement level.”

“I have always been an advocate for fixing, repairing, recycling and up-cycling in the building industry to reduce waste and carbon footprint which is very high in this industry. It’s very rewarding to give extended life and new purpose to beautiful buildings. There is a very positive feeling that floods over you when you stand back and look at what you have achieved each day.”

Whalley’s Motor and Engineering Works  looking south along Currie Street 1930. Picture Sunshine Coast.

Whalley Chambers extensive restoration works include structural repairs including replacement of several main support beams and hydraulic jacking to repair some of the century-old hardwood support posts which will now last another 100 years. 

The roof has been replaced and now houses the largest commercial solar panel system in the area, providing free power to the buildings’ business tenants and returning excess green energy to the community via the power grid.

“Hopefully this spectacular building will encourage more building owners in Nambour to upgrade and restore their buildings to bring back the area’s former glory and invigorate business and patronage to this beautiful and important heritage town.”

ABOVE: An article from the Nambour Chronicle and North Coast Advertiser from Friday 25 July 1941.