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The City of Gold Coast will unlock the doors to some of the most fascinating buildings on Saturday 17 October 2015 at the inaugural Open House.

The 2015 Gold Coast Open House will feature around 20 properties including quirky, interesting and significant buildings, which will open their doors to local residents and tourists for a behind-the-scenes tour of private places not typically available for public access.

Among the properties listed in the Gold Coast Open House are the old Southport Drill Hall constructed in 1890 and the Hot Tomato on-air studios in High Street, to the iconic 80s Paradise Waters mansion of Gold Coast pioneer Keith Williams.

Chair of Gold Coast Open House 2015 and Chair of the Gold Coast and Northern Rivers branch of the Australian Institute of Architecture, Greg Ewart says the list is impressive and diverse. He hoped Gold Coasters would get behind the Gold Coast Open House with the same enthusiasm shown for the Brisbane Open House, an event that has grown to more than 100 buildings over the past five years.

He explained that Open House will provide a snapshot of the future of urban design on the Gold Coast as well as a journey into the past, with a collection of both contemporary and historic architecture open to the public.

Ewart added that the buildings this year will appeal to all ages and people from all walks of life, from those with an interest in architecture and sustainable design to the inquisitive and creatively inclined.

Gold Coast Open House also offers a children’s program with free and entertaining activities available at many of the buildings open to the public.

A photographic competition, open to junior, amateur and professional photographers, will be held in conjunction with Gold Coast Open House. Sponsored by Hickey Lawyers, the competition offers prizes valued at $1,400 across the three categories.

Gold Coast Open House is calling for volunteers to assist in the facilitation of visits by the general public to the 20-plus buildings across the City.

Volunteer greeters and hosts are required for the event in addition to volunteer photographers to help boost the Gold Coast Open House image library for this year’s and future Open House events.

More details about the inaugural Gold Coast Open House can be accessed on www.goldcoastopenhouse.com.au.