Real Estate FROM COAST TO COUNTRY
Murwillumbah’s Art Deco treasure STRATEGICALLY LOCATED on the corner of Commercial Road and Wollumbin Street at the entrance to Murwillumbah, you can’t miss one of the finest examples of art deco architecture in the Tweed Valley at 15 Commercial Road. Built in 1935 by Con Vlismas, no expense or detail was spared to enhance the majestic Austral Building that proudly hosts local businesses including MANA Real Estate. With striking large windows wrapping around the corner and an elegant art deco glass strip highlighting the windows, it
Stepping over the historic tile entry
certainly makes a statement. It was described upon its launch by the Tweed Daily News as “one of the finest constructions on the north coast”. The building has a fascinating history. Thomas and Mary Tong were the first tenants in the building, opening Tong’s General Store on the ground floor in 1935. Here they sold groceries, produce, mercery, drapery, quilts, cushion covers and mats. In the early years, it was a family-run business, but during World War II when two of Thomas and Mary’s sons were conscripted, the Tong’s employed additional staff, with up to 12 people working there. One local, June Dwyer, was employed from 1942 to 1952 and used to ride her bike around town to collect customer orders, and after returning to the store to fill the orders, June would drive the delivery truck to personally deliver the orders in the afternoon. Tong’s General Store became a Murwillumbah institution and locals used to call it ‘Tong’s
Open Homes
Corner’. The ground floor is now occupied by MANA real estate, who moved into the site during 2019. “We couldn’t resist the opportunity to move into such a prime location. We are the first thing you see as you come off the bridge into Murwillumbah,” MANA founder and principal Julie-Ann Manahan said. Stepping over patterned tiles, you enter the space through the art deco double doors. It’s a grand historical entrance. You can’t help but wonder how many people have walked through those doors since 1935. “We wanted to honour and enhance the original features, rather than detract from them,” Julie-Ann said. “The space is so light and bright, however when we moved in it was a drab grey throughout. “We painted it white, with our signature orange, black and white branding on the back wall.” The window displays are eyecatching and are designed to create interest and intrigue.
The Austral Building is one of the Tweed Valley's finest examples of art deco
There’s a glass divider near the reception desk which lets natural light stream through to the back of the office. “It’s important we are always available and visible to the street,” Julie-Ann said. “We often have locals stop by for a chat, pick up a copy of The Weekly or wander in to enquire about a property. “That’s what we love about being in a central location, we feel a part of the community.” This prime position on Commercial Road has historically
1603/22 Kirkwood Rd, Tweed Heads South ‘Buyer
Saturday, March 18
Range $1.295M-$1.325M’ 11:30-12pm NSW Time
JET Real Estate 25 Stokers Rd, Stokers Siding. Sat 9.30-10.00 135 Bakers Rd, Dunbible. Sat 10.30-11.00 34 Ewing St, Murwillumbah. Sat 11.30-12.00 1 Tombonda Rd, Murwillumbah. Sat 12.30-1.00
$795K-$850K’ 11:30-12pm NSW Time
DJ Stringer 1054/14-22 Stuart St, Tweed Heads ‘Price Guide $750K-$770K’ 10-10:30am NSW Time 3 Highland Dr, Terranora ‘$1.695M-$1.795M Buyer Range’ 10:30-11am NSW Time 1102/14-22 Stuart St, Tweed Heads ‘Price Guide $780K-$790K’ 10:30-11am NSW Time
26/6-8 Thomson St, Tweed Heads ‘Price Guide 4/23 Ivory Cres, Tweed Heads ‘Buyer Range $795K-$845K’ 12:30-1pm NSW Time 3/12 Marian St, Tweed Heads West ‘Price Guide $420K-$450K’ 12:30-1pm NSW Time 8/182 Kennedy Dr, Tweed Heads West ‘Price Guide $450K-$470K’ 1:30-2pm NSW Time Local Realty 29 Seaview St, Tweed Heads South, 10.30-11am
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PROPERTY SYMPOSIUM manare.au
been a hub for the locals in Murwillumbah and will continue for years to come.
Beautiful Art Deco glass work
Tate Brownlee Real Estate 22 Curtawilla Street, Banora Point, 9-9:30am 11 Trutes Terrace, Terranora, 11-11:30am 62 Kimberley Circuit, Banora Point,12-12:30pm 9 Millers Drive, Tugun, 1-1:30pm 8/5 Boomerang Street, Kingscliff, 3-3:30pm MANA Real Estate 4/2 Nunyar Court, Ocean Shores, 9-9.30am 4/4 Halyard Court, Ocean Shores, 9-9.30am 60 Reserve Creek Road, Kielvale, 9-9.30am 4 Coonawarra Court, Ocean Shores, 10-10.30am 351 Zara Road, Zara, 10.30-12pm. 24 Rangal Road, Ocean Shores, 10.30-11am 1/8 Yengarie Way, Ocean Shores, 11-11.30am 2 Rangal Road, Ocean Shores, 11.30-12pm
Thursday March 23rd 5.30pm With the ever-changing property market, it’s good to stay updated on all the latest information. This is a great opportunity to get advice from industry experts. To find out more, or register your interest contact: hello@manare.au 89496
By Jonathon Howard