A new Bolands Centre office precinct is expected to open for trading in September with the owners saying it will fill a niche in Cairns commerce.

Owners, the Christie Group, are renovating the building into a precinct with 35 office suites, targeting short to medium-term leases.

Half the suites will be fully furnished and tenants will have access to a central reception service.

Suites will be built on the ground, first and second floors, catering for between two and 15 people.

Paul Marshall, from Christies, said the suites would service an overlooked section of the market, businesses with small staff numbers.

"This won’t appeal to 100 per cent of the market but it will appeal to a substantial section," he told Business Week.

"Having lots of businesses operating together means there will be opportunities for networking."

Also targeted will be professionals needing rooms for meetings and conferences and operators of "virtual offices" – people needing bases for mail, internet and meeting clients.

"Virtual offices are really booming in the world," Mr Marshall said. "They appeal to the Gen Y age group as being cost effective."

Christies will avoid chasing tenants until the renovation is complete, allowing clients to see the finished product.

A coffee shop called "Bang" will open at the centre in August, before the rest of the centre is finished.

A new lift will be installed and the building’s historic wooden lift, a favourite of many older people, is being restored and will be displayed in the reception area.

A silky oak balustrade on the top floor also is being restored.

The Bolands Centre opened in 1912 and has been the home for a department store and a prominent toy shop.

More recently it was used by a Japanese tour company and an email and fax business.

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