History is still standing in Queanbeyan despite the rumblings of high-rise development shaking the foundations.
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One of the city's oldest homes, now described as a dilapidated dump, will soon be part of a nine-storey residential development steadily progressing in the CBD.
Furlong House, which was built in 1850, is set to be restored in the latter stages of work on what will be the tallest development in the city.
The Georgian terrace house was built for William Hunt, who owned the first licensed establishments in Queanbeyan.
The iron lace was taken from the Royal Hotel while it was being renovated in 1912.
While part of the home's history will be lost due to the development the front of it will be restored and become space for commercial tenants and an office.
Work on the Furlong Apartments began in late 2012 after years of delays to the project, which was most recently approved by Queanbeyan City Council in 2009.
It was delayed again earlier this year by an internal dispute at the company that owns the site, Hanson Property Developments.
Work restarted on the Morisset Street site in April.
Builder Project Coordination is about to ramp up construction to allow completion by early next year.
ACT construction manager and director Gavin Murphy said the company planned to begin more significant work on the third floor of the development.
''It has taken longer than it should have because of our clients' internal issues, but things are back on track,'' he said. ''We will be really launching into it next week.''
He said Furlong House had provided a challenge as the workers had to cordon it off and take care not to disturb the foundations when operating heavy machinery.
Sales agent for the development, LJ Hooker's Chris Farmer, said the building had been problematic at first due to the historical significance of the house, but it had attracted a lot of interest. ''It's an iconic building in Queanbeyan that's a bit of a derelict dump - so it needs to be rejuvenated,'' he said.
Mr Farmer said people had contacted him wanting to run a bar in the building, but it was too small.
The agent has sold 25 out of 42 one, two, and three-bedroom apartments to a mixture of downsizers, first home buyers and investors. Defence Housing Australia had also bought into the development.
''It has been a landmark building in Queanbeyan … there'll never be another high rise like this in the centre of town,'' Mr Farmer said.
Richardson resident Michael Butler, who spent the first 16 years of his life in Queanbeyan, recalled the building from when he was about 11 years old.
He said it had been a gorgeous residence and it would be good to see it restored as part of the Furlong Apartments. ''You can just imagine what it would have been like,'' Mr Butler said.
The development is expected to be completed by early 2014, with residents moving in by April.