Generations of Lithgow residents once enjoyed flocking to the Theatre Royal on Main Street and the building, nearing its 100th birthday has been put on the market once again.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The grand building has been sitting empty for the past 12 years and LJ Hooker real estate principal Jamie Giokaris hopes that with a reduced price someone will want to snap it up.
"It is now being listed for $850,000, which is quite a bargain for a building of this size," he said.
"Considering the median house price in Lithgow is around $328,000, this is for sale for less then three residential houses."
ALSO MAKING NEWS:
The theatre which closed for renovations in the 80's was re-opened to a full house of over 900 people for the premiere of 'The Man from Snowy River'.
"I remember being seven or eight at the time and actually coming to that premiere," LJ Hooker principal Jamie Giokaris said.
Over the years the building hasn't just been used as a cinema, but also a nightclub, a restaurant and a function centre.
"The bar was most utilised in the 90s but it is still in really good condition," he said.
Hugh Dougherty, deceased, set up what became known as The Nitespot, with restaurant and disco facilities, all on the ground floor.
Tiring of the complaints that came with the behaviour of some of the late night patrons Mr Dougherty leased the premises to local hotel interests and continued to concentrate on his pharmacy role.
After the lease was terminated Mr Dougherty invested a substantial amount in upgrading facilities in the theatre including the latest fire safety requirements and put it on the market in 2011.
The art deco Royal has remained unused on the market ever since and was still in Mr Dougherty's ownership at the time of his death.
"He was part of the fabric here, doing renovations to turn it into something you could be proud of, " Mr Giokaris said.
The building which has been refitted with a fire lighting and heating system has been well kept due to keeping a care taker to look after the building while it's empty.
"It's not dust and mice, it is actually really well kept," he said.
Mr Giokaris said they are looking for someone who wants to come in and actually use the space.
So far the building has had four inspections, all from people out of town who have their own ideas for the building.
"It is a really multi faceted building, it could be used for live theatre, a restaurant, and could potentially show movies on the old projectors," he said.
With three large projectors, old film and splicing tables where films would have been produced, Mr Giokaris hoped that someone could make use of the unique features.
"The theatre probably won't go back to being a cinema because distributors want a certain amount of guaranteed showings," he said.
With an operational commercial kitchen, two bars, a nightclub space, tables and chairs for a restaurant, the original theatre seating and a 54 car park space block next to the building, Mr Giokaris said there were many options for potential buyers.
"Honestly there are so many different ideas that you could go for, there is so much space, and it's much larger then the union theatre, the acoustics are incredible, live music would be fabulous in here," he said.
"It's a really fantastic space.
"It's right for someone who has the energy and the right business model to make it work."
Do you want more Bathurst and region news?
- Sign up now for our free morning headlines and breaking news emails