An undisclosed buyer has purchased the historic Australia Cinema building in Lords Place from the Orange Evangelical Church.
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The future of the building is unclear however it is understood any development would require the retention of the building’s facade.
Blowes Real Estate agent Tania Golaz said the property sold after a lengthy negotiation period.
“It was very long and drawn out, nearly a year,” she said.
“It only just exchanged last week.”
Church assistant minister Paul Owens said they bought the property in 2011.
“Unfortunately our plans to develop the site did not work out,” he said.
“So we are very pleased to have sold the cinema after having first placed the property on the market at the end of 2016.
“They buyer had a long option period to decide whether or not to proceed to purchase the building.
“But now we have finally got there and exchanged contracts.
“It’s a great step forward for us.”
Mr Owens said under an agreement settlement would occur next year which would allow the church to continue to use the building for office space.
“[We] will continue to work towards developing our new church building on Ploughmans Lane and Cargo Road,” he said.
The Central Western Daily attempted to contact the new owner.
Orange and District Historical Society president Liz Edwards said it was built by James Dalton Junior in 1886 to provide a venue for Irish supporters visiting Orange.
In 1883 Irish politician John Redmond was barred from speaking at the School of Arts and the Oddfellows Hall.