A landmark heritage building is set to hit the market in Carrington next month, offered for the first time in almost 30 years.
The former Oriental Hotel, known as Carrington House, at 130 Young Street was established as one of Newcastle's original pubs in the mid-1880s.
It later became a boarding house, a bank, an art studio, and a restaurant led by renowned chef Barry Meiklejohn.
Most recently the building was used as the business headquarters of Newcastle Stevedores.
It has changed hands only four times and been held by the owners for almost 30 years.
Cotality records show it was last sold in 1998 for $380,000.
David Caldwell of Wilton Lemke Stewart is set to auction the property on-site on May 30 with a guide of $2.6 million.
Set on 556 square metres, the property is being sold as vacant possession.
"The history of the building is incredible, especially when you see the historic photo showing the man tying his horse up out the front on the dirt road," Mr Caldwell said.
"It was one of Newcastle's first pubs and it is a landmark for Carrington at 141 years of age.
"It was the original Oriental Hotel and then it moved to where it is today on the corner [Young Street Hotel].
"This was the original and then it became a boarding house and, later on, a restaurant, so it's had a lot of lives over the years."
Inside comprises seven office spaces, a boardroom and training rooms.
There is a kitchen, a lunchroom and bathrooms on each level, an outdoor entertaining area, and five off-street car parking spaces with rear lane access.
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The agent said the property could appeal to owner-occupiers looking to relocate their business or an investor, earning a potential income of $144,000 per year.
"It is zoned E1 local centre, so it could be used for shop-top housing which means you could run a business downstairs and have a residence upstairs," he said.
"It is a mixed-use opportunity subject to council approval, so there is a myriad of things that can be done and it could suit a range of uses.
"It will be interesting to see who buys it and for what reason."
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According to historical records, The Walsh Family Hotel started trading on the site in 1886 and, six years later, it changed its name to the Oriental Hotel.
In 1923 the building was converted for use as residential premises and, in the 1980s, operated as Carrington House Restaurant.
It was converted to office space in 2012.
Period features include the lacework verandah, ornate facade, high ceilings, and decorative arches in the hallway.
"The detail on the balcony is incredible; it doesn't look like it has changed for over 100 years," he said.
The first open inspection will be held on May 9.
