"The Old Stawell Butter Factory "
  1-3 Curtis Street,
  Stawell Victoria
  1894

  Expressions of Interest Welcome

Centrally located business on 0.2 hectares (approx 7/8 of an acre) only three blocks from the busy Melbourne – Adelaide Western Highway.

Close to Stawell Central Business District and in the prestigious Grampians region famous for its excellent wines and the mecca of the Grampians/ Halls Gap/ Pyrenees tourist trail.

Corner block with three street frontages. Historic building components would appeal to the astute entrepreneur or investor and the locale has unlimited usage options.

History

The old factory is currently used by Woodyware for the light industrial use of furniture manufacturing which has been in operation since the early 1970s.

The original timber building dates from 1894 according to the Northern Grampians Shire Heritage Study, 2004 and the brick sections were constructed in 1936 by a local builder.

It should be noted that the building is classified as being of local significance by the National Trust of Victoria and will be covered by a Heritage Overlay under the Northern Planning Scheme.

The history and heritage value of the building provides an opportunity to develop new uses complementary to the history while retaining the general building structure as suggested by Wendy Jacobs NGSC Heritage Adviser.

Location

Sited in the historic town of Stawell, the Old Butter Factory is centrally located between the Western Highway and the Town Centre.

The Old Butter Factory is housed on a large site of approximately 3800 square metres on the corner of Curtis and Johnston Street. It is part of the historic fabric of Stawell with the Stawell Brick Company, the historic Diamond House motel close by and views to both Stawell's Church spires, Big Hill to the east and a view to the Grampians to the west.

Existing Building

Originally a butter factory and ice company the building consists of several large open spaces developed to house various butter factory machinery, cool storage and boiler rooms with a total building area of approximately 600 square metres.

A traditional 19th century industrial building consists of a U shaped building with gabled ends (refer to existing conditions drawings - Plan 1 and Plan 2) with original building weatherboard cladding linked to the 1936 brick addition to Curtis Street.

The 1936 addition is generally in good condition with large open and light filled space of approximately 260 square metres.

The original timber building is in need of repair with parts of the structure altered and timber weatherboard cladding in poor condition. However the general structure and facade of the building remain housing and an area of approximately 285 square metres retaining the character and charm of the building.

The original boiler room sheds at the rear if the property are in good condition and add supplementary space to the existing building of approximately 56 square metres. (See site analysis - Plan 3). (See Development Areas - Plan 4 ).

Future Use

The Old Stawell Butter Factory is uniquely located in the diverse and vibrant region on the Grampians, which has the strong agricultural landscape of the southern Wimmera, the wineries of Great Western, manufacturing of Stawell and the tourism of the Grampians National Park.

This building is suited to numerous potential uses which capitalise on the assets of the region including tourism, manufacturing and agriculture: -

TOURISM

• Winery Cellar Door (Wine Production and Cellar Door)
• Food and Produce Store (Local Produce from the Grampians Region)
• Antiques, Gallery and Crafts (Antiques and art from the local region)
• Bed and Breakfast (Boutique accommodation)
• Conference Centre

MANUFACTURING

• Furniture Manufacturer (local furniture maker workshop and retail)
• Joiner/cabinet maker (workshop space and display area)
• Brewery (boutique brewery)

BUSINESS

• Office/studio space (potential for large organisation or shared office space under one roof)
• Nursery
• Stock foods/rural store

RESIDENTIAL

• Residence (conversion of building for residential home or home business)
• Townhouse development (divide building into individual townhouses plus additional house development of sympathetic design)

The land is currently zoned Industrial Zone 1 which may limit the current use of the land. However the land is adjacent to a residential zone and it is hoped any proposed uses would be supported to ensure the reuse of this significant historic building.

With regard to the possible uses and design concepts outlined in this report appropriate advice should be sought with regard to possible uses allowed under the Northern Grampians Planning Scheme, the structural condition of the building and any requirements for compliance with the Building Code of Australia.

Development Analysis

(See Development Proposal Plans - Plan 5 & Plan 6)

Given the diversity of potential uses for the building the final design will be dependent on the developer's final proposal.

With a site of approximately 3,800 square metres and a building area of 600 square metres there is great flexibility for development from restoration and use of the existing space to expansion.

With 3,200 square metres of land undeveloped, there is generous room for car parking, site access, development of new buildings (designed to harmonise with the original building) or subdivision to accommodate further development.

However the best use of the building and site would be to capitalise on the existing buildings large spaces and historic character, which reflect the charm of the region.

Stawell History, Art, Culture and Attractions

Alluvial gold was discovered by a shepherd in 1853. Stawell soon developed into a thriving town.

In 1858 Stawell was proclaimed a township. The first Stawell Gift was run in April 1878 and is still one of the world's richest professional foot races, with the event conducted over the Easter long weekend.

The town's Main Street features fine examples of historic buildings including the Town Hall, with its animated clock and Westminster Chimes. An enjoyable, nostalgic experience, the Stawell Heritage Trail provides an excellent introduction to the town's local history.

Stawell boasts an emerging array of arts, crafts, music and performance from antiques and sculpture to cinema and galleries.

Seppelt's heritage-listed drives are almost as famous as its international prize-winning sparkling wines. These three kilometre tunnels lined with seemingly endless shelves of dust-covered maturing bottles snake beneath the winery. With the tunnels hung with tendrils of moss-like black mould, you can feel how ancient the winery is.

The Stawell area is renowned for it involvement in sport and recreational activities.

The Stawell Tennis Complex is one of Wimmera's best.

There are two golf courses located on the outskirts of the town centre.

Nature and wildflower lovers will enjoy the many walks available through the Ironbarks. This beautiful unique eucalypt fills the forest floor on the northern outskirts of the town, but similar forests can be found throughout the region.

To see Alpacas up close, check the variety of fleece on the lively flock at Blue Moon Alpacas.

Stawell's vibrant Main Street is ideal for shopping. You'll find gift shops, quality homewares, fashion boutiques, music and all the essentials, or enjoy a coffee and cake whilst taking in the magnificent mountain views. - Official Visitors' Guide

Click here for regional map

Click here for Floorplans

Click here for Development Proposal

Click here for Future Use

For further details contact Colin McIntosh
0407 318 846 or Andrew 0438 326 813

BALLARAT REAL ESTATE PTY LTD  
Cnr 402 Sturt Street, Ballarat, Victoria    

Phone: (03) 5331 2233