Latest news with #HeritageCouncilofNSW
The Advertiser
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
Iconic Star Hotel in the mix for state heritage listing
Newcastle's iconic Star Hotel is being considered for heritage listing 100 years after the building was constructed. The Star Hotel in Newcastle West, now known as Bernie's Bar, is being considered by the Heritage Council of NSW and may meet the criteria for state heritage significance. The infamous Star Hotel riot of 1979, which inspired the Cold Chisel song 'The Star Hotel', was noted in a statement of significance with the application. The statement says the building's history as a "countercultural melting pot and its sudden closure and expulsion of LGBTQIA+ patrons in 1979 is representative of broader historical trends in NSW and beyond". It also noted the venue was collectively remembered as a LGBTQIA+ meeting place and venue for Newcastle's first public drag performances. The venue started as single-storey timber building built in 1855 on Blane Street (now Hunter Street), which was demolished in 1910 and replaced with a new hotel. The block then grew to surrounding lots, and in 1925 a new two-storey brick hotel was built spanning from Hunter Street to King Street. After the 1979 riot, the Star Hotel was transformed into a 22-shop shopping centre known as the Star Complex. The site underwent four major renovations before the Hunter Street portion and first floor of the King Street building were converted into a residential complex known as the Star Apartments. The venue re-opened as queer-friendly Bernie's Bar in 2023. While Bernie's was not behind the application to heritage-list the building, they are very supportive of the nomination. "We love the history, we love the heritage," Bernie's Bar co-founder Patrick Fisher said. "It was a home for diversity long before we got here." Community members are welcome to have their say on the nomination until August 8. Details are available at Newcastle's iconic Star Hotel is being considered for heritage listing 100 years after the building was constructed. The Star Hotel in Newcastle West, now known as Bernie's Bar, is being considered by the Heritage Council of NSW and may meet the criteria for state heritage significance. The infamous Star Hotel riot of 1979, which inspired the Cold Chisel song 'The Star Hotel', was noted in a statement of significance with the application. The statement says the building's history as a "countercultural melting pot and its sudden closure and expulsion of LGBTQIA+ patrons in 1979 is representative of broader historical trends in NSW and beyond". It also noted the venue was collectively remembered as a LGBTQIA+ meeting place and venue for Newcastle's first public drag performances. The venue started as single-storey timber building built in 1855 on Blane Street (now Hunter Street), which was demolished in 1910 and replaced with a new hotel. The block then grew to surrounding lots, and in 1925 a new two-storey brick hotel was built spanning from Hunter Street to King Street. After the 1979 riot, the Star Hotel was transformed into a 22-shop shopping centre known as the Star Complex. The site underwent four major renovations before the Hunter Street portion and first floor of the King Street building were converted into a residential complex known as the Star Apartments. The venue re-opened as queer-friendly Bernie's Bar in 2023. While Bernie's was not behind the application to heritage-list the building, they are very supportive of the nomination. "We love the history, we love the heritage," Bernie's Bar co-founder Patrick Fisher said. "It was a home for diversity long before we got here." Community members are welcome to have their say on the nomination until August 8. Details are available at Newcastle's iconic Star Hotel is being considered for heritage listing 100 years after the building was constructed. The Star Hotel in Newcastle West, now known as Bernie's Bar, is being considered by the Heritage Council of NSW and may meet the criteria for state heritage significance. The infamous Star Hotel riot of 1979, which inspired the Cold Chisel song 'The Star Hotel', was noted in a statement of significance with the application. The statement says the building's history as a "countercultural melting pot and its sudden closure and expulsion of LGBTQIA+ patrons in 1979 is representative of broader historical trends in NSW and beyond". It also noted the venue was collectively remembered as a LGBTQIA+ meeting place and venue for Newcastle's first public drag performances. The venue started as single-storey timber building built in 1855 on Blane Street (now Hunter Street), which was demolished in 1910 and replaced with a new hotel. The block then grew to surrounding lots, and in 1925 a new two-storey brick hotel was built spanning from Hunter Street to King Street. After the 1979 riot, the Star Hotel was transformed into a 22-shop shopping centre known as the Star Complex. The site underwent four major renovations before the Hunter Street portion and first floor of the King Street building were converted into a residential complex known as the Star Apartments. The venue re-opened as queer-friendly Bernie's Bar in 2023. While Bernie's was not behind the application to heritage-list the building, they are very supportive of the nomination. "We love the history, we love the heritage," Bernie's Bar co-founder Patrick Fisher said. "It was a home for diversity long before we got here." Community members are welcome to have their say on the nomination until August 8. Details are available at Newcastle's iconic Star Hotel is being considered for heritage listing 100 years after the building was constructed. The Star Hotel in Newcastle West, now known as Bernie's Bar, is being considered by the Heritage Council of NSW and may meet the criteria for state heritage significance. The infamous Star Hotel riot of 1979, which inspired the Cold Chisel song 'The Star Hotel', was noted in a statement of significance with the application. The statement says the building's history as a "countercultural melting pot and its sudden closure and expulsion of LGBTQIA+ patrons in 1979 is representative of broader historical trends in NSW and beyond". It also noted the venue was collectively remembered as a LGBTQIA+ meeting place and venue for Newcastle's first public drag performances. The venue started as single-storey timber building built in 1855 on Blane Street (now Hunter Street), which was demolished in 1910 and replaced with a new hotel. The block then grew to surrounding lots, and in 1925 a new two-storey brick hotel was built spanning from Hunter Street to King Street. After the 1979 riot, the Star Hotel was transformed into a 22-shop shopping centre known as the Star Complex. The site underwent four major renovations before the Hunter Street portion and first floor of the King Street building were converted into a residential complex known as the Star Apartments. The venue re-opened as queer-friendly Bernie's Bar in 2023. While Bernie's was not behind the application to heritage-list the building, they are very supportive of the nomination. "We love the history, we love the heritage," Bernie's Bar co-founder Patrick Fisher said. "It was a home for diversity long before we got here." Community members are welcome to have their say on the nomination until August 8. Details are available at
The Advertiser
13-05-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
Ready to deliver: Newcastle Post Office revival wins fresh approval
IT may not have been an express delivery, but Newcastle Post Office's restoration has taken an important step forward. City of Newcastle has approved a modified development application for the historic structure, the council announced on Tuesday. Dr Jerry Schwartz has owned the landmark since 2018, when he bought it with a $3.6 million plan to deliver a conference centre, retail shops, a cafe and an Indigenous cultural centre. Approved in 2021, the Schwartz Family Company sought to modify those plans in May last year with alterations and additions to the existing building, including an extra storey and a residence on the site. The additional level proposal was subsequently removed, the council said, after consultation with Heritage Council of NSW and planning staff. Speaking to the Newcastle Herald in October, Dr Schwartz said the approval was a crucial next step. "Once this is approved, we can essentially submit the construction certificate," Dr Schwartz said. "I wish to reiterate that I have no intention of land banking this property. I want it to come back to life and make money for me." The council's executive director planning and environment Michelle Bisson said on Tuesday the changes had not significantly altered the previous plans. "Original features such as columns, capitals, windows and doors are proposed to be repaired, with the existing western, southern and eastern arcades on the ground level to be restored," Ms Bisson said. "The first floor will see the installation of a glass roof over the terrace and the restoration of two existing fireplaces in the proposed function room." Lord mayor Ross Kerridge said the site was a window into Newcastle's prosperity during the late 19th century coal boom and deserved a bright future. "I know the delays in activating the building since the sale by the federal government over 20 years ago has been enormously frustrating for the community," Cr Kerridge said. "I have had a number of constructive conversations with Dr Jerry Schwartz who owns the building. I know that he has some exciting plans and I look forward to seeing progress on these developments." City of Newcastle general manager Jeremy Bath said the complexity of a heritage site was significant, but the latest approval cleared the path for the rejuvenation to forge ahead. "This is the second time City of Newcastle has approved the redevelopment of this iconic piece of Newcastle's history," Mr Bath said. IT may not have been an express delivery, but Newcastle Post Office's restoration has taken an important step forward. City of Newcastle has approved a modified development application for the historic structure, the council announced on Tuesday. Dr Jerry Schwartz has owned the landmark since 2018, when he bought it with a $3.6 million plan to deliver a conference centre, retail shops, a cafe and an Indigenous cultural centre. Approved in 2021, the Schwartz Family Company sought to modify those plans in May last year with alterations and additions to the existing building, including an extra storey and a residence on the site. The additional level proposal was subsequently removed, the council said, after consultation with Heritage Council of NSW and planning staff. Speaking to the Newcastle Herald in October, Dr Schwartz said the approval was a crucial next step. "Once this is approved, we can essentially submit the construction certificate," Dr Schwartz said. "I wish to reiterate that I have no intention of land banking this property. I want it to come back to life and make money for me." The council's executive director planning and environment Michelle Bisson said on Tuesday the changes had not significantly altered the previous plans. "Original features such as columns, capitals, windows and doors are proposed to be repaired, with the existing western, southern and eastern arcades on the ground level to be restored," Ms Bisson said. "The first floor will see the installation of a glass roof over the terrace and the restoration of two existing fireplaces in the proposed function room." Lord mayor Ross Kerridge said the site was a window into Newcastle's prosperity during the late 19th century coal boom and deserved a bright future. "I know the delays in activating the building since the sale by the federal government over 20 years ago has been enormously frustrating for the community," Cr Kerridge said. "I have had a number of constructive conversations with Dr Jerry Schwartz who owns the building. I know that he has some exciting plans and I look forward to seeing progress on these developments." City of Newcastle general manager Jeremy Bath said the complexity of a heritage site was significant, but the latest approval cleared the path for the rejuvenation to forge ahead. "This is the second time City of Newcastle has approved the redevelopment of this iconic piece of Newcastle's history," Mr Bath said. IT may not have been an express delivery, but Newcastle Post Office's restoration has taken an important step forward. City of Newcastle has approved a modified development application for the historic structure, the council announced on Tuesday. Dr Jerry Schwartz has owned the landmark since 2018, when he bought it with a $3.6 million plan to deliver a conference centre, retail shops, a cafe and an Indigenous cultural centre. Approved in 2021, the Schwartz Family Company sought to modify those plans in May last year with alterations and additions to the existing building, including an extra storey and a residence on the site. The additional level proposal was subsequently removed, the council said, after consultation with Heritage Council of NSW and planning staff. Speaking to the Newcastle Herald in October, Dr Schwartz said the approval was a crucial next step. "Once this is approved, we can essentially submit the construction certificate," Dr Schwartz said. "I wish to reiterate that I have no intention of land banking this property. I want it to come back to life and make money for me." The council's executive director planning and environment Michelle Bisson said on Tuesday the changes had not significantly altered the previous plans. "Original features such as columns, capitals, windows and doors are proposed to be repaired, with the existing western, southern and eastern arcades on the ground level to be restored," Ms Bisson said. "The first floor will see the installation of a glass roof over the terrace and the restoration of two existing fireplaces in the proposed function room." Lord mayor Ross Kerridge said the site was a window into Newcastle's prosperity during the late 19th century coal boom and deserved a bright future. "I know the delays in activating the building since the sale by the federal government over 20 years ago has been enormously frustrating for the community," Cr Kerridge said. "I have had a number of constructive conversations with Dr Jerry Schwartz who owns the building. I know that he has some exciting plans and I look forward to seeing progress on these developments." City of Newcastle general manager Jeremy Bath said the complexity of a heritage site was significant, but the latest approval cleared the path for the rejuvenation to forge ahead. "This is the second time City of Newcastle has approved the redevelopment of this iconic piece of Newcastle's history," Mr Bath said. IT may not have been an express delivery, but Newcastle Post Office's restoration has taken an important step forward. City of Newcastle has approved a modified development application for the historic structure, the council announced on Tuesday. Dr Jerry Schwartz has owned the landmark since 2018, when he bought it with a $3.6 million plan to deliver a conference centre, retail shops, a cafe and an Indigenous cultural centre. Approved in 2021, the Schwartz Family Company sought to modify those plans in May last year with alterations and additions to the existing building, including an extra storey and a residence on the site. The additional level proposal was subsequently removed, the council said, after consultation with Heritage Council of NSW and planning staff. Speaking to the Newcastle Herald in October, Dr Schwartz said the approval was a crucial next step. "Once this is approved, we can essentially submit the construction certificate," Dr Schwartz said. "I wish to reiterate that I have no intention of land banking this property. I want it to come back to life and make money for me." The council's executive director planning and environment Michelle Bisson said on Tuesday the changes had not significantly altered the previous plans. "Original features such as columns, capitals, windows and doors are proposed to be repaired, with the existing western, southern and eastern arcades on the ground level to be restored," Ms Bisson said. "The first floor will see the installation of a glass roof over the terrace and the restoration of two existing fireplaces in the proposed function room." Lord mayor Ross Kerridge said the site was a window into Newcastle's prosperity during the late 19th century coal boom and deserved a bright future. "I know the delays in activating the building since the sale by the federal government over 20 years ago has been enormously frustrating for the community," Cr Kerridge said. "I have had a number of constructive conversations with Dr Jerry Schwartz who owns the building. I know that he has some exciting plans and I look forward to seeing progress on these developments." City of Newcastle general manager Jeremy Bath said the complexity of a heritage site was significant, but the latest approval cleared the path for the rejuvenation to forge ahead. "This is the second time City of Newcastle has approved the redevelopment of this iconic piece of Newcastle's history," Mr Bath said.
