121 Cimitiere Street, Launceston TAS 7250

Johnstone & Wilmot - Residential Apartment & Commercial Possibilities Plus!!!
174 years after it was constructed this site is still locally known as the Johnstone and Wilmot buildings. It comprises two substantial, adjacent buildings in the heart of Launceston city. William Johnstone left England aboard the "Arab" in 1841 aged 22 to make his name and fortune in Van Diemen's Land setting up as William Johnstone, Merchant on this site in 1842. Johnstone and Wilmot became one of the most respected merchants in the colony bringing not only welcome wine and spirits to our wharfs but tea, coffee, tobacco and a vast variety of essential supplies to a fledgling Commonwealth outpost. A likely true popular story has it that young boys were stationed on the roof to watch and wait for tall ships to berth at the North Esk wharf before sending horse and dray to ferry much needed supplies back to the building.

An interesting feature of 1842 is the rare and intact ‘Tin Room' fully lined with tin sheets purpose built to keep vermin out of the precious supplies. It also has several vast warehouse floors, a dungeon, servants' quarters and hidden secret rooms. Considered to be an architecturally unique building in Australia, it was purchased by the Launceston City Council in 1982, extensively refurbished to become the Community History Museum until 2003 when purchased and restored by the current owners.

1842 is now a stunning fine art and furniture showroom, community art gallery, huge rooms with enormous potential. The outstanding top floor 2 bedroom residential apartment is currently being run as overnight accommodation.