text: Old lady of Ipswich gets well-earned renovation
  ONE of Ipswich's iconic city buildings is under going a renovation to restore its historical features as the search for a new tenant continues.
  The former Bendigo Bank site at the corner of Limestone and East streets has been vacant since the financial institution left the building last year.
  Specialist property advisors Trident Corporation are working with Ben Schodel from Blades Project Services to manage the works and Hutchinson Builders were the appointed as the building contractor.
  Working with the Ipswich City Council's heritage architect, the works included a full internal strip-out of the previous tenant's fitout, painting the façade of the building, installing a new air-conditioning system, new toilets, new lobby foyer, commissioning a new internal lift, new ceilings and lighting and rectifying the use of the existing timber windows.
  Neill Read from Trident said it was great to see another prominent CBD asset being refurbished.
  "The external façade and some heritage internal features have been maintained, such as high ceilings and casement windows," he said.
  "These features have created very light open space with contemporary finishes to the standards required by State Government and other tenants."
  The building was purchased from Bendigo Bank by the current owner Bill George in 2005.
  "The growth has all happened with the guidance of the Ipswich City Council to where we are today," he said.
  "The decision to attempt anything but to completely refurbish this beautiful heritage building wouldn't have done it justice.
  "We really wanted to maintain the heritage aspect of the building inside and out and whilst the outside was easy, the inside had to be brought back to its original state. "