Mark Baker here. I'm The Examiner's managing editor and I'm hijacking this email while editor Courtney Greisbach is on leave to invite you to be my guest at a special tour of the C.H. Smith site.

For most Launcestonians, and certainly in my time growing up in the city, the C. H. Smith building were a metaphor for stagnation.

Blighted by failed development plans, the site sat at the entrance to the city, slowly falling into disrepair.

Graffiti that adorned the western side spelled out what it had come to represent: "Progress in this city is dead," it decried.

However, the rebirth of the site, under the guidance and investment of developer Errol Stewart and architect Scott Curran, has given the city renewed confidence.

The metaphor has changed to one of rebirth and confidence in a strengthening economy.

Before the buildings are handed over to their new tenants, The Examiner has arranged a very limited number of tours for its readers.

Mr Curran will be on hand to describe the complicated task of retaining the site's heritage and blending it with a modern office and parking space.

Launceston author, historian and former associate editor of The Examiner, Julian Burgess, will also be there to tell the story of the site.

As well as detailed knowledge of this site's history, Burgess has a personal connection; his father was company secretary of C. H. Smith in the 1960s.

"As a kid I used to play in the buildings with the Smith boys," Burgess said.

"The chandlery storeroom was like an Aladdin's cave to me with all the brass and chrome fittings and old style navigation lights.

"It was a very diversified business, they were importers and exporters, shipping and travel agents and retailers of marine hardware.

"Over the years they shipped wool and apples to the United Kingdom and even bought mutton birds from Flinders Island for resale

"There were a lot of other different tenants in the Charles Street buildings in the 1960s including sailmakers, metalworkers and boat builders."

Space on the April 27 visit is limited to three tours of 15 people and will be first come, first served, starting at 10am.

To register go to https://form.jotform.co/90989526217873