Abandoned houses, closed shops and empty buildings are scattered around Orange with mystery surrounding their past and their future.

The Central Western Daily has blown the dust off the city’s files and people’s memories to find out what’s going on with our abandoned buildings.

Only two blocks from the centre of town this house has been boarded up for many years.

Real estate agent Doone Grist from Williams Machin Real Estate said she tried to sell the house at auction in 2010 after Orange City Council ordered its sale due to unpaid rates.

“There was lots and lots of interest but you had to enter at your own risk,” she said.

“You literally couldn’t walk into it.”

However the auction was called off the day beforehand when the rates were paid.

She said it would take massive work to save the building.

It is worth about $250,000-$300,000 as a vacant block – if the owner ever comes forward to sell it.

There’s a front fence and a letter box and, well, that’s it at this sought after inner-city location.

Real estate agent Libby Seaman of Ray White Orange said her records showed it was last sold to a M. Manning in 1989 for $27,000.

The house was destroyed in a fire several years ago and it has stayed empty apart from providing parking space for nearby schools.

“Nothing has happened to it since,” Ms Seaman said.

“That would sell like a hotcake, that site.”

RON BOULTON MARINE AND CYCLES

When the Summer Centre was created some nearby shops were swallowed up in the development and despite several proposals this shop has stood empty marking time.

RSCS Australia principal director Bill Kanellopoulos said work was now underway to consolidate land titles in the area that would cut the cycle shop and vacant land around it away from the rest of the shopping centre on a separate title.

Mr Kanellopoulos said there had been some initial talks with the council about turning the site into a mix of residential and commercial use.

“It will be CBD living, with secure parking and elevators between the levels. That’s the best use being looked at.”

But he said that is some time away.

It’s been a long time since aircraft bearing the Hazelton name flew.

The airline, started by Max Hazelton and based at Cudal, ceased operations in 2001 when it was merged into what we now know as Rex Airlines.

The Peisley Street office, which was leased to Hazelton by a private owner, has been empty for many years though it has been advertised for lease.

Townsend Real Estate principal licensee Stephen Townsend said that might be about to change as there had been an expression of interest to use the building.

“I’m currently working on that with someone,” he said.

“It might take us a month or so before we know.”

This service station was closed last September and work has begun on removing equipment.

A Caltex spokeswoman said there was no plan to sell the site.

“There’s a development application in with the local council, and once that’s approved we will be able to remove the service station infrastructure,” she said.

This controversial shopping centre has been empty for years.

Requests for its demoliton have been made but owner Eddie Eid remains confident it can be redeveloped into a medical centre and childcare centre.

Mr Eid said this week he hoped to have a development application to council within the next few weeks and he did not want to demolish the building.

“Why would you demolish it, the structure is quite good and the foundation is quite good.

“I am trying to improve the area for the community,” he said.

Now here’s a real mystery.

The restaurant looks like it could open for business tonight but it stopped trading several years ago.

Real estate agents, the Orange Chamber of Commerce and other Chinese restaurants in Orange could not shed any light on its past or future.

It has been owned by the same person since 1990 but they could not be contacted.

Since Bunnings shifted to North Orange this huge site has been a blemish on the view greeting people arriving into Orange.

There have been proposals for various uses including a skating rink but currently there are no proposals before Brand Orange or council to redevelop it.

Orange City Council spokesman Nick Redmond said the netball complex remained a key part of Moulder Park and would continue to be used for recreational purposes including for community markets.

Orange council bought this site at the corner of Summer and Woodward streets for long-term strategic purposes and was now preparing to sell it.

Mr Redmond said the council had overseen the demolition of buildings on the site which were an eyesore.

“Final preparations are under way for the land to be sold by asking for expressions of interest,” he said. 

Do you have any information about these properties? Email david.fitzsimons@fairfaxmedia.com.au