The C.H. Smith site is nearing completion, with Mr Stewart maintaining the building's heritage and history where possible.  

"We tried to keep as much of the structure as we could, because if we didn't, it would just be like any other office space," he said. 

The $34 million project is set to house government offices, a cafe and other tenancies.

All of the unpainted timber has been recycled from the former Woolstore site. About 20 kilometres of Oregon and hardwood was saved from the site, which Mr Stewart has been storing for sometime. 

The cafe, which already has a committed tenancy, maintains most of the building's history. However, it will be the last part of the site to be completed.  

It is remarkable, Mr Stewart said, that a lot of the timber in the cafe area could be reused despite not having a roof for a number of years. 

Two kitchens, both with intricate timber work are located in the building. The joinery was completed by Fairbrother. 

Off the kitchen on the ground level is an outdoor break-out area for staff, which has tables and seating. 

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Work is also progressing on a 1830s bond store. This part of the site does not yet have a tenancy, but Mr Stewart envisages it will be used for another office. 

This part of the site required the most work, Mr Stewart said.  

The final development application for the site has been lodged. The application if to erect the C.H. Smith site branding and directional signage at the main entrance of the site on the corner of Charles and Cimitiere Street.

About 350 workers are set to be based at the site.

The plans for the site were announced in 2016. 

The buildings at 22 and 24 Charles Street were listed on the heritage register in 1984. Two years later, Redline Coaches' Frank Larissey bought the site for a new bus terminal.

Demolition work for the depot started in 1990, but protesters stopped work. In April 2004, a new developer bought the site. The site then sold in 2007, and again in 2011. Mr Stewart and architect Scott Curran bought the site in 2016.

The site is expected to be completed by Easter. A commitment has been made to allow the government offices' to be functional by May.