Client Challenge: This site—now home to Fairfax as well as The Courier, Ballarat’s daily newspaper—sits at one of the city’s most prominent intersections. While the central location was ideal, it came with a major complication: Peplow House, a heritage-listed building directly adjacent to the site. Any development would require sophisticated engineering to protect the historic structure during excavation and construction.

• Our Solution: To unlock the full potential of the site while preserving its historical neighbor, Macneil Group delivered a highly engineered solution. A major basement wall was designed and constructed using advanced technology. This ensured Peplow House remained undisturbed throughout the build and protected for the future. Our meticulous planning and execution allowed the project to progress smoothly despite the site’s inherent challenges.

• Result: The final building is a high-quality, purpose-built commercial facility that respects its surroundings. The building provides The Courier with a downsized, modern office that enabled them to separate from Fairfax while maintaining an iconic location in the heart of Ballarat.