![OLD AND NEW: Estate agent Gary Blowes outside the old ambulance station with the new DPIE building in the background. Photo: JUDE KEOGH OLD AND NEW: Estate agent Gary Blowes outside the old ambulance station with the new DPIE building in the background. Photo: JUDE KEOGH](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/89n2cnUd9z93XAfpAzrAGv/b4b69aab-7a8c-4163-b4aa-21eebf6cb839.JPG/r0_0_5568_3712_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
One of Orange's most recognisable old buildings is up for sale after plans to turn it into a craft brewery and eatery have been dropped.
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Verde Property, the construction company which built the just-opened DPIE building on Prince Street also had plans to convert the former ambulance station and dental building on the corner of Prince and Anson streets.
However, it has now decided not to develop the site and instead it's up for sale.
It would make a brilliant restaurant
- Gary Blowes, real estate agent
Blowes Real Estate principal Gary Blowes said the building, which was opened in 1932, could fetch more than $1 million.
![READY TO GO: Three ambulances await emergency calls at the station many years ago. Photo: Supplied READY TO GO: Three ambulances await emergency calls at the station many years ago. Photo: Supplied](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/89n2cnUd9z93XAfpAzrAGv/87f335da-7bb8-4f14-9247-27fc2e838512.jpg/r0_161_3150_2009_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"It was part of the original plan," he said.
"[But] they had a change of heart."
He said Verde specialised in building major projects.
"They're not into that [renovating small buldings] sort of thing."
![BACK THEN: Ambulance officers outside the building. Photo: Supplied BACK THEN: Ambulance officers outside the building. Photo: Supplied](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/89n2cnUd9z93XAfpAzrAGv/4836f9be-cab6-4124-be36-c27158a5ce97.jpg/r0_0_1559_960_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Mr Blowes said all the asbestos had been removed from the building and it had been secured away from vandals and thieves since the DPIE project started.
He said there were plenty of uses, subject to council planning approval, for the building.
"It's in a heritage precinct, it has heritage significance, you couldn't knock it down," he said.
![INSIDE: A floor plan of the many offices inside the old building. Photo: Supplied INSIDE: A floor plan of the many offices inside the old building. Photo: Supplied](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/89n2cnUd9z93XAfpAzrAGv/7b0c3ad7-b6ca-46fe-b26f-49439cdde211.jpg/r0_429_3508_2230_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
However, he said it could be modified with approval.
Mr Blowes said there were two floors of small offices inside.
"It would make a brilliant restaurant," he said.
"You've got a captive audience [the DPIE] behind it.
"It's got so much potential but it's not going to be cheap."
He said apart from a restaurant/bar/craft brewery/eatery operation it could also suit other uses including becoming a child care centre.
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