Politicians visited the building on the north side of the tracks multiple times during last year’s election campaign and talked up the importance of the site as both sides of politics promoted high-profile changes to the railway precinct.

But the building has been left empty and up for lease despite renovations being completed in July. 

VicTrack senior communications and government relations adviser Nicola Holland said the funding was mostly part of a $1 million heritage program designed to restore Victoria’s heritage railway buildings. 

“VicTrack invested an additional $250,000 to fit out the north building with a view to finding a tenant,” she  said. 

“Ballarat-based Colliers Real Estate has been appointed to offer the opportunity to market and is actively seeking a tenant to lease the space. 

“VicTrack’s work on the north building included reinstatement of the original portico, external and internal rendering and painting, carpentry, flooring, electrical and other works.”

The work was seen by many as a key first step in the future of the precinct, showing the opportunities that exist in the area. 

Colliers International senior executive Charles Kennedy said the main reason for the delay in leasing the building was associated with timing.

“It has been pretty dormant in terms of the leasing activity, but that will change in the first part of this year,” he said. 

Mr Kennedy described the space as terrific and said there had been a big jump in interest over the past few weeks. 

“There has been some interest lately, half a dozen inspections in the past four or five weeks,” he said. 

“There is a number of retail people who have looked at it.”

matthew.dixon@fairfaxmedia.com.au