Noosiana / Atropica Leisurettes

DETAILS

Alternative NameSilver SandsMurcott's FlatsAdditional InformationNoosiana

Noosiana, also known as Murcott’s Flats, were built in the late 1950s. Arthur Murcott had been looking around Queensland for a location to build cavity brick luxury apartments. He wanted a parkland setting, quiet and restful, where he could locate the cool, comfortable flats he had in mind. He chose a site on Hastings Street as the ideal location and built Noosiana.

The eight soundproof brick flats began being advertised for rent in June 1954, being described as offering “every convenience of home” for a cost of £6/6/ per week.

Later Lionel Donovan bought the flats and renamed them the Silver Sands. They were subsequently purchased by Viv Monks.

Atropica

In 1968 Joanne and Lawrens Adair recognised the potential and bought the building. They determined that the style of construction didn’t fit the traditional flats or motel description and thought ‘leisurettes’ was more apt. Thus, the accommodation was renamed Atropica Leisurettes.

The property was situated on a large parcel of land with the units located well back from the street. The front approximately one and a half acres were not being used. Not long after the Adairs’ purchase, the Hastings Street frontage was subdivided for four shop sites, leaving a wide entrance to Atropica. The lots were quickly purchased and in April 1971 four shops opened: Roy Angove’s Coral Vogue, Phyllis Hocking’s Cake Shop, Les and Bev Clare’s Laundromat, and Charlie and Clarice Haswell’s Milk Bar and Take-Away Foods.

Safe swimming and fishing in the river and the lack of noise from the street were some of the attractions of the units. Each unit accommodated 5-6 people. They were fully redecorated in late 1969 and included a television in each unit – free. The tariff was $25 per week during the year and $48 weekly over Christmas. Four upstairs units featured private sun decks.

Ron Blakeney and Roy Angove served as letting agents. The resident managers in 1969 were Pat and Jim Scott.

The Adairs also owned the River Court units in Tweed Heads.

The complex was sold in a mortgagee sale in approximately 1982-83 and the advertisement describes the property as being 2,203 square metres (approx. ½ acre) with 9.5 metres of frontage to Hastings Street and a two-storey brick structure with fibro roof, verandah deck area at rear of first floor, 8 accommodation units, office area and storeroom. Tariff at the time was $20 per night low season, $25 per night high season and $30 per night peak season.

Bay Village now occupies the site.

Photograph

'Noosiana' Flats, Hastings Street, Noosa Heads, late 1953

Atropica Leisurettes (flats), Hastings Street, Noosa Heads, ca 1970

Construction, Murcott's Flats, 'Noosiana', Noosa Heads, 1953

Noosiana and allotment prior to building Sunny Snaps Studios, Hastings Street, Noosa Heads, March 1957

Noosiana flats and early days of construction, Sunny Snaps Studios, Hastings Street, Noosa Heads, April 1957

R. M. Blakeney Real Estate, Hastings Street, Noosa Heads, ca 1960s

Atropica Leisurettes sale notice, ca 1982-83

IDENTIFIERS

Subject (Keywords)MotelsAccommodation

CONNECTIONS

LocalityNoosa HeadsPlaceHastings StreetPersonLionel DonovanMenuTopic | TourismLocation | Noosa Heads