‘Looks more like a proper radio station now than it ever did when it actually was one!’ – Former KOFM and NXFM building now a music lover’s haven

For more than three decades Newcastle radio stations KOFM and NXFM lived at 252 Pacific Highway Charlestown. The stations moved harbourside in 2017 and KOFM became 102.9 Triple M and NXFM Hit 106.9 to align with other SCA stations.

The former site has sat idle, until now.

A local developer purchased the site from SCA in 2017 for $2.6m. Then last year it was up for sale again. Iconic Newcastle music shop Muso’s Corner purchased the property and over just 16 weeks the Musos team have set about transforming the building into a fit for purpose 2 level music haven.

Recently former KOFM and NXFM staff were invited to see the transformation for themselves. Former GM Ashley Myatt, group content director Mike Byrne, EA Mara Sazdanoff, creative director Gabe McGrath, production manager Terry Neeson, imaging producer Mark “Doogie” Brewer and announcer Nick Blanch were blown away.

Doogie suggested the old “bunker on the hill” looks more like a proper radio station now than it ever did when it actually was one!

2KO moved into the Charlestown in May 1988, converted to FM in the early ‘90’s and rebranded to KOFM. NXFM moved to the Charlestown building in the early ‘90’s. Other KO and NX alumni who graced the halls of the Charlestown building included David “DJ” Jones, Little Andy Simpson, Stewart Horne, Kev Kellaway, Mal Hedstrom, Todd Seargent, David Collins, Tanya Wilks, Steve Graham, Garth Russell and the legendary Newcastle broadcaster Barry Graham.

On their recent visit Former content director Mike Byrne was impressed with how the building had kept much of its original idiosyncrasies and added to them with some very cool guitar and drum displays.

Mike said:

“It’s great to see the old building, of which many many good times and great results were achieved in, get itself a second life!”

Silverchair drummer Ben Gillies playing drums in the voice over booth.

The staff of KOFM and NXFM out the front of the Charlestown building

Little Andy Simpson in the KOFM studio

Doogie in the Imaging Studio

Steve Graham doing his impression of Kylie in the downstairs kitchen

Gabe McGrath with some equally famous people

Commercial Production

Mara Sazdanoff with 2 young up and coming announcers

NXFM studio

NXFM’s Mark “Doogie” Brewer

Former NXFM announcer Jim Morrison

And below, the new Muso’s Corner digs

Left to Right – Terry Neeson, Mark “Doogie” Brewer, Gabe McGrath, Mara Sazdanoff, Nick Blanch and daughter Zoe, Mike Byrne, Ashley Myatt 

This was the boardroom!

Present day stairs to the old bunker

Reception

Back car park

Nick Blanch, Zoe and Ashley Myatt in the back carpark

Main image – the building now, from the front. All images supplied.