Mount Buffalo Chalet faces part demolition

By AISHA DOWJan. 29, 2014, 3 p.m.

3.15PM: A huge slice of the historic Mount Buffalo Chalet will be demolished under a plan to return the once-luxurious residence to its former glory.

A huge slice of the historic Mount Buffalo Chalet will be demolished under a plan to return the once-luxurious residence to its former glory.

The state government wants to reopen the century-old resort by 2015 as a visitor centre and cafe, in a redevelopment they hope with attract future private investors to develop the hotel.

But the plan to spend more than $7.5 million restoring the dilapidated and abandoned property comes hand-in-hand with a significant demolition.

The tennis court, former staff quarters, garage and steam generator house are all on the chopping board. The main lounge, entry lobby, drawing room and ballroom will be saved.

In a letter to Heritage Victoria from the government, land management policy executive director Peter Beaumont said the decision to demolish the buildings had not been taken lightly.

Mr Beaumont said it was no longer economically viable to restore the entire chalet.

The principle of the current proposal is to restore the core of the chalet to its former glory, he said.

It is not feasible to do this while retaining the many ad hoc additions, hence the strategic decision to remove the badly deteriorated fabric to attract investor interest.

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Mount Buffalo Chalet faces part demolition