Latest news with #Moruya-marble
The Age
29-04-2025
- The Age
The state of the iconic Paragon Cafe left everyone in shock. Now ‘enough is enough'
The NSW government has started formal action against the owner of the heritage-listed Paragon Cafe in the Blue Mountains, claiming the Sydney solicitor failed to protect the 110-year-old building that lives large in the childhood memories of visitors to Katoomba. Heritage Minister Penny Sharpe said the Paragon was an 'incredibly important historical site and protected on the State Heritage Register'. 'The failure to protect this item has been devastating for those who have been hoping to see the building restored to its former glory,' she said. The decision follows visits by NSW Heritage and council officers to the art deco cafe in Katoomba to inspect extensive damage caused by squatters and thieves to its once richly decorated interior that spans three floors, including a ballroom. Images leaked to the Friends of the Paragon Cafe a week ago by an anonymous source showed water damage in its wood panelling, and its historic marble and mirrors were covered in graffiti. Said to be the last of the very best of the Greek cafes that were once popular across Australia, the Paragon's famous Moruya-marble soda foundation was graffitied with RIP. Areas where families ate the Paragon's famous chocolate, or stopped for a milkshake, had been used by squatters and others for parties and to drink beer and take drugs. On Monday, Heritage NSW gave solicitor John Landerer, whose company Conset Investments owns the cafe, notice of its intention to issue a heritage compliance order under Section 120 of the act. If an order is issued under the act, an owner can be compelled to commence repairs. They can be prosecuted for or convicted of an offence in respect of the failure to maintain or repair a property.
Sydney Morning Herald
29-04-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
The state of the iconic Paragon Cafe left everyone in shock. Now ‘enough is enough'
The NSW government has started formal action against the owner of the heritage-listed Paragon Cafe in the Blue Mountains, claiming the Sydney solicitor failed to protect the 110-year-old building that lives large in the childhood memories of visitors to Katoomba. Heritage Minister Penny Sharpe said the Paragon was an 'incredibly important historical site and protected on the State Heritage Register'. 'The failure to protect this item has been devastating for those who have been hoping to see the building restored to its former glory,' she said. The decision follows visits by NSW Heritage and council officers to the art deco cafe in Katoomba to inspect extensive damage caused by squatters and thieves to its once richly decorated interior that spans three floors, including a ballroom. Images leaked to the Friends of the Paragon Cafe a week ago by an anonymous source showed water damage in its wood panelling, and its historic marble and mirrors were covered in graffiti. Said to be the last of the very best of the Greek cafes that were once popular across Australia, the Paragon's famous Moruya-marble soda foundation was graffitied with RIP. Areas where families ate the Paragon's famous chocolate, or stopped for a milkshake, had been used by squatters and others for parties and to drink beer and take drugs. On Monday, Heritage NSW gave solicitor John Landerer, whose company Conset Investments owns the cafe, notice of its intention to issue a heritage compliance order under Section 120 of the act. If an order is issued under the act, an owner can be compelled to commence repairs. They can be prosecuted for or convicted of an offence in respect of the failure to maintain or repair a property.
Sydney Morning Herald
25-04-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Inside the once-charming Paragon, a heartbreaking discovery is made
Squatters, thieves and vandals have wrecked and defaced the heritage-listed Greek cafe the Paragon in Katoomba, with graffiti saying 'RIP' across its famous Moruya-marble soda fountain. Photos of damage to the interior of the 110-year-old art deco cafe were mailed anonymously to Friends of the Paragon, a group that has been lobbying to save what was once one of the biggest tourist attractions in the Blue Mountains. 'The interior has been absolutely trashed,' said Friends president Rob Strange. 'Mirrors, marble, the bars and furniture with their very detailed plasterwork have been just daubed with graffiti.' Responding to news of the damage, NSW Heritage Minister Penny Sharpe said: 'There has been a failure to protect this item. I have asked Heritage NSW to look at any action they can take to rectify this problem.' Strange said locks on the building had been repeatedly cut with bolt cutters, and there had been reports of squatters and parties on the premises. Drug paraphernalia and empty beer bottles had also been left near where generations of families once enjoyed afternoon tea, hamburgers and sodas. There was water damage a metre high in the famous ballroom, holes in walls and floors, and furniture had been broken and stolen. Blue Mountains MP Trish Doyle said the state of disrepair of 'our beautiful Paragon' was dire. The break-ins had increased the building's exposure to the weather. Representatives of the Blue Mountains City Council visited the Paragon last week. A spokesperson said officers documented 'further evidence of deterioration', which was sent to Heritage NSW.
The Age
23-04-2025
- The Age
Inside the doors of the once-charming Paragon, a heartbreaking discovery is made
Squatters, thieves and vandals have wrecked and defaced the heritage-listed Greek cafe the Paragon in Katoomba, with graffiti saying 'RIP' across its famous Moruya-marble soda fountain. Photos of damage to the interior of the 110-year-old art deco cafe were mailed anonymously to Friends of the Paragon, a group that has been lobbying to save what was once one of the biggest tourist attractions in the Blue Mountains. 'The interior has been absolutely trashed,' said Friends president Rob Strange. 'Mirrors, marble, the bars and furniture with their very detailed plasterwork have been just daubed with graffiti.' Responding to news of the damage, NSW Heritage Minister Penny Sharpe said: 'There has been a failure to protect this item. I have asked Heritage NSW to look at any action they can take to rectify this problem.' Strange said locks on the building had been repeatedly cut with bolt cutters, and there had been reports of squatters and parties on the premises. Drug paraphernalia and empty beer bottles had also been left near where generations of families once enjoyed afternoon tea, hamburgers and sodas. There was water damage a metre high in the famous ballroom, there were holes in walls and floors, and furniture had been broken and stolen. Blue Mountains MP Trish Doyle said the state of disrepair to 'our beautiful Paragon' was dire. The break-ins had increased the building's exposure to the weather. Representatives of the Blue Mountains City Council visited the Paragon last week. A spokesperson said officers documented 'further evidence of deterioration', which was sent to Heritage NSW.
Sydney Morning Herald
23-04-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Inside the doors of the once-charming Paragon, a heartbreaking discovery is made
Squatters, thieves and vandals have wrecked and defaced the heritage-listed Greek cafe the Paragon in Katoomba, with graffiti saying 'RIP' across its famous Moruya-marble soda fountain. Photos of damage to the interior of the 110-year-old art deco cafe were mailed anonymously to Friends of the Paragon, a group that has been lobbying to save what was once one of the biggest tourist attractions in the Blue Mountains. 'The interior has been absolutely trashed,' said Friends president Rob Strange. 'Mirrors, marble, the bars and furniture with their very detailed plasterwork have been just daubed with graffiti.' Responding to news of the damage, NSW Heritage Minister Penny Sharpe said: 'There has been a failure to protect this item. I have asked Heritage NSW to look at any action they can take to rectify this problem.' Strange said locks on the building had been repeatedly cut with bolt cutters, and there had been reports of squatters and parties on the premises. Drug paraphernalia and empty beer bottles had also been left near where generations of families once enjoyed afternoon tea, hamburgers and sodas. There was water damage a metre high in the famous ballroom, there were holes in walls and floors, and furniture had been broken and stolen. Blue Mountains MP Trish Doyle said the state of disrepair to 'our beautiful Paragon' was dire. The break-ins had increased the building's exposure to the weather. Representatives of the Blue Mountains City Council visited the Paragon last week. A spokesperson said officers documented 'further evidence of deterioration', which was sent to Heritage NSW.
