Charles Street Cafe and Units

Cairns, Queensland

Brief & Context

This is an upgrade of an existing set of sixties style units on a 400m2 inner city lot. The existing carport is being removed to make way for a tiny cafe that is half verandah.

The eight existing units are being upgraded with the shared access balconies being divided and extended to create larger outdoor living spaces and better security and privacy.

The cafe has a massively cantilevered roof and concrete hooded servery to attract attention and customers.

Negotiations with council resulted in zero off street car parking requirements in return for new roadworks.

The result is a mixed use, inner city development that maximises use of a very small lot while increasing amenity for residents, and improving the streetscape.