A beauty, spa and wellness business will be the first tenant in Albury’s Australia Park building in more than a decade.
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The building formerly operated as part of a museum on Wodonga Place is adjacent to the historic Turks Head Hotel building, which was Albury’s first inn and hotel.
Albury Council sought expressions of interests for the building in 2016 and former Zen Day Spa owner Courtney Azzi put in a bid.
Ms Azzi received confirmation of her lease that year and after a few delays, she was able to begin renovations at the start of this year to bring BasQ into reality.
“The location is awesome; there’s so much exposure with most people going through this way at least once a week, and I love the river,” she said.
“I think its a really untouched spot, and hopefully something will go next door that complements this really well.
“It’s great having lots of accomodation nearby and a lot of the businesses around here are excited because it’s been empty for such a long time.”
The beauty and spa therapist sold Zen in 2014 and took up teaching.
“I’ve been in the beauty industry for 16 years and in the last two years I worked for a dermatologist doing more medical skin treatments, which is a where a lot of salons are going,” she said.
“I wanted to take it right back to wellness, mental and physical, focusing more on holistic health and well-being.”
BasQ will feature five treatment rooms, a sauna and a wet room.
Ms Azzi hopes to be open by May 21 but will be selling vouchers for Mother’s Day this weekend.
“Everything we use is Australian made and owned and eco-friendly while still being salon-quality.
“I’m a yoga teacher as well so I hope to bring a point of difference,” she said.
“I’m really excited to get going.”
Parking in the vicinity will be improved through a series of upgrades jointly funded by council and the NSW government.
Council is still assessing expressions of interest for the Turks Head building, which opened in 1840 as the Union Bridge Hotel and has been under council management since 1983.
The activation of the old pub has been identified as a goal in the 2018 Riverina Murray Destination Management Plan.