1 The Strand, Townsville

Positioned on Townsville’s iconic waterfront, No. 1 The Strand is one of the city’s most sought-after addresses.

The location offers panoramic ocean views by day and the lights of Palmer Street by night, all set against the lively backdrop of a bustling promenade.

Featuring 26 two and three-bedroom apartments, the property is also within walking top-tier dining and entertainment.

To elevate its aesthetic, Grant Painters was commissioned to revitalise the four-storey building’s exterior – replacing dated golden hues with Taubmans Siberian Husky, a modern neutral that enhances the property’s sophisticated charm.

Several roofs were also painted to match the new wall colour. 

Before: The exterior’s dated golden colour scheme. 

The transformation:  Taubmans’ Siberian Husky gives the building a contemporary feel.

The challenge:

 Refurbishing a building of this scale comes with its complexities—especially when balancing the daily routines of residents with the demands of a major exterior repaint.

Key considerations included:

  • Ensuring Safety – Operating Elevated Work Platforms (EWPs) in public areas such as the pool and entertainment spaces required detailed planning to protect both workers and residents. Safety zones were created around four EWPs  – two spider lifts and two booms used to access all corners of the complex.    
  • Managing Traffic Flow – With large machinery on-site, coordinating access for residents entering and exiting the property was essential, with staff specially allocated for this part of the project.
  • Adapting to Resident Needs – Gaining access to private balconies while minimising disruption meant carefully scheduling work around residents’ lifestyles. We delivered letters to each resident’s door to update them on anticipated timings.
  • Painting method – Due to the strength of prevailing breezes, spraying any of the expansive exterior was not an option. Instead, it was brush and rolled.    

Brushwork:  The balconies get a makeover too.

Tight squeeze: Limited space between the building and boardwalk presented a challenge for scaling the four storeys. 

Another significant challenge was painting the eastern facade. Situated close to the boardwalk, this section of the building presented unique hurdles.

Unable to gain council approval to position EWPs on the boardwalk, we had to take a more complex approach  – constructing scaffolding instead.

The limited space between the property’s perimeter and the boardwalk meant we had to winch scaffolding and equipment over balconies to erect a structure reaching approximately 9.4 metres high.

When space is limited: Working off scaffolds at the tightest sections of the property.

With its prime waterfront location, the building is constantly exposed to the harsh effects of salt-laden air.

This meant that rust treatment was a top priority, particularly for metal elements such as grills, vents, and other components. Additionally, the exterior required a durable protective coating to withstand the coastal environment.

Prep work counts:  The exterior metal grills were rejuvenated, with stunning results. 

The preparation process alone was a massive undertaking, requiring 1600 hours of meticulous work  to ensure every surface was properly treated.

To safeguard the rendered exterior from the relentless sea breeze, we applied two coats of premium paint  – using more than 1000 litres. Water-based epoxy was used on all powder-coated surfaces.

 

The results:

The new colour scheme has given the apartment block a modern, distinctive feel.

Last painted in 2014, the work undertaken by Grant Painters – including extensive prepping and rust treatment  – will protect the building for many years to come.

The Project at a Glance

Project Name: No. 1 The Strand – Exterior Repaint
Location: Townsville, QLD
Client: Body Corporate, No. 1 The Strand
Building: 4 storeys | 26 premium waterfront apartments
Contractor: Grant Painters
Scope: Full exterior repaint, roof refinishing, rust treatment, and scaffold-based access solution

Project Snapshot:

  • Iconic location along Townsville’s waterfront promenade
  • Full repaint of rendered façade, powder-coated elements, and multiple roofs
  • Colour scheme update from dated gold to modern neutral: Taubmans Siberian Husky
  • 1600+ hours of preparation and over 1000 litres of premium coating applied

Key Challenges and Solutions:

  • Limited access: Tight building-to-boardwalk clearance required scaffolding to be winched over balconies for the eastern facade
  • Public interface: Careful EWP operations around shared areas like the pool and entertainment zones, using four machines (two booms, two spider lifts)
  • No spray application: Strong breezes prohibited spraying. All surfaces were brushed and rolled for control
  • Resident coordination: Work schedules communicated via door-to-door letters and on-site staff to minimise disruption
  • Salt exposure: Harsh coastal conditions demanded rust treatment across vents, grills, and metal components
  • Durability: Water-based epoxy used on powder-coated surfaces for long-term weather resistance