A recognisable piece of Austinmer history sold for $1.4 million earlier this week.
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Owned by the Brown family for generations, the century-old property at 40 Moore Street, Austinmer, which includes the popular Fireworks Café, was listed for sale for the first time earlier this year.
The selling agent for the site was Adam McMahon, director/ licensee at Dignam Real Estate.
The entire building was for sale.
Boasting a land size of 235sqm, the property includes the Fireworks Café (the business sold earlier this year) on the lower level, and a residential apartment on the upper level.
The 65sqm commercial premises is leased by the cafe owners.
Mr McMahon said the property was sold to a Surry Hills buyer, following interest from local, interstate and overseas buyers.
"We were selling the structure for the building, but what made it interesting was during the campaign the Fireworks Café was sold, the business was sold to a local Austinmer family," he said.
"So that delayed the process a little.
"Then a lady from Surry Hills purchased the whole structure.
"She's bought it with the view of it being a long-term investment, but then eventually using the apartment upstairs for her own personal use."
The building was sold following the death of owner Betty Brown last year.
One of her four children, Peter, said the family built and previously owned both No.38 and No.40 a hundred years ago. No.40 was previously a butcher's shop.
"We're just moving on," he told the Mercury earlier this year. "Mum owned it - she had it given to her by her father."
His brother Paul said the property had been "leased out for as long as I can remember".
Paul said he hoped the next owner would recognise the history and significance of the site.
The facade is heritage-listed, although the internal has the potential to be renovated.
"The front of it's heritage-listed, and the buyer is happy to maintain it in that fashion," Mr McMahon said.
"She's very happy to have secured a bit of history."
Mr McMahon said Moore Street is one of those locations which is quite sought-after anyway, "but properties like this coming up is very rare".
He said the traditional facade of this two-storey building has been well-maintained and gives a nod to its heritage past with unique architecture and solid brick construction.
"This retro/industrial style café is a favourite among the locals," Mr McMahon said.
"Equipped with a full-size commercial kitchen and a huge pantry, the café offers indoor/outdoor seating.
"On the upper level, with its own separate access, is a residential apartment showcasing two large bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom and a separate dining and lounge."
Mr McMahon said a front balcony offers views of the escarpment, while a utility room and two extra toilets provide additional storage and washroom services for the café downstairs.
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