Fred Murray building hits market after years sitting idle

Council and the Queensland Government said conversion to residential was not viable.

A long-vacant Nambour office building once considered for emergency accommodation is now being offered for commercial lease, marking the end of three years of uncertainty around its future use.

The Fred Murray building – empty since 2022 when Sunshine Coast Council staff relocated to the new Maroochydore City Hall – was examined by both Council and the Queensland Government as part of early discussions about potential short-term accommodation options during the region’s growing homelessness crisis. Ultimately, authorities concluded that converting the site for residential use was not viable due to the significant investment required to meet building compliance standards.

With the building now returning to the market, Council says the focus is on supporting Nambour’s economic revival. Division 10 Councillor David Law said leasing the site offered “a great opportunity for businesses, small, medium or large, to be part of Nambour’s future”.

“It is hoped that new tenants will also provide a significant boost to the local economy as well as building their own success story in Nambour,” Cr Law said.

The Fred Murray building includes two levels of office space, secure basement parking and end-of-trip facilities. Preference will be given to a single tenant or whole-floor leases.

Council says the decision aligns with its wider efforts to revitalise the CBD, supported by more than $5 million in joint State & Council investment through the Namba Place Plan. Works underway include new pedestrian crossings, improved walkability and upgraded public spaces.

The building had limited use during its vacancy, aside from short-term occupancy by the Sunshine Coast Screen Collective.

While there had been community suggestions to repurpose the Fred Murray building for emergency and/or transitional accommodation, Council and the Queensland Government said conversion to residential would require significant investment to meet building compliance standards for such a transformation.

Council will continue to retain and operate the nearby Eddie De Vere building as a hub for Council staff, customer service counter, Local Disaster Coordination Centre and a venue for community use through the foyer and the Namba Meeting Place.

Council said the leasing opportunity aligned with its broader effort to revitalise Nambour as a creative, connected and economically vibrant centre.

Interested parties are encouraged to arrange an inspection of the building via the appointed agents.