Mount St Mary’s Convent spent the last 15 of its 99 years fenced in and unoccupied on Katoomba’s doorstep but could get a rare opportunity for a facelift should it be purchased at auction on July 23.
Originally built for the Sisters of Charity in 1910, the convent — known for many years as the Renaissance Centre — is a grand four-storey ‘Federation-Italiante Free Style’ building with a floor space of more than 3000 square metres on a 17,652-metre block.
It’s been a convent, a college, a boarding house, an international language school and an arts and craft venue, but the heritage-listed building’s recent history is one of neglect, with no restoration work done by its owners and the roof being the target of occasional trespass and vandalism.
Strong interest in the property surfaced since the auction campaign by joint selling agent Jones Land LaSalle got under way on June 20, according to manager of metropolitan and regional sales Anthony Bray.
“We’ve registered interest from seven individuals and companies that requested more information about the building,” Mr Bray said.
“It’s rare that a building with such a unique story and prominence becomes available to the public and we’re hopeful that someone will look to restore the convent to its former glory.
“It’s got to be refurbished, but the opportunity the building provides is outstanding and the floor space is much bigger than most people think.
“We expect the price to be in the $5 million range.”
An educational organisation agreed to purchase the property earlier this year, but the sale fell through.
The convent has been listed on the NSW Heritage Register since mid 2003 and was granted development consent for the construction and addition of two residential blocks and commercial, educational, recreational and cultural components on the site, subject to the convent building being retained and restored.
Mr Bray said the auction campaign is being directed towards potential buyers refurbishing the building and putting it to use.
“We believe the way the economy is at the moment there is not a great need for more residential accommodation (in Katoomba), at least not to the extent (proposed in the existing development application for the site).
“This is a place of significant local importance for both its architecture and setting as much as it is an opportunity for development as a centre for cultural interest and activity.”
The Katoomba Chamber of Commerce and Community (KCCC) is keen for the convent building to be refurbished and put to use for the betterment of that area of the town.
“It would be good for it to be sold to someone or an organisation with more enthusiasm to do something than the previous owners,” KCCC president Robert Stock said.
Mount Saint Mary’s Convent will be offered for sale via public auction on the morning of Thursday, July 23 at 123 Pitt Street, Sydney.
Email a friend
Favourites
Del.icio.us
Facebook
Digg
StumbleUpon
MySpace
Reddit
Newsvine
LinkedIn
Kwoff
Twitter