Century-old Blue Mountains kiosk to get new lease of life
One of the oldest kiosks in the Blue Mountains is set to be redeveloped into a modern restaurant and café.
Built before 1920, the Katoomba Falls Kiosk is heritage-listed and owned by the Blue Mountains City Council. It is one of only three kiosks constructed in the peak of the Blue Mountains’ tourism boom in the early 20th century that still stand today.
A development application is being prepared to upgrade and extend the building into a restaurant with a capacity of up to 110 seats and a 25-seat café, said Raine and Horne Katoomba’s Carol Deiley, who is running the expressions of interest campaign for the lease of the property, which would be for an initial 10-year term, with two five-year options.
The Katoomba Falls Kiosk back in its heyday. Photo courtesy of Blue Mountains City Council
The restaurant will be extended from the side of the kiosk. Picture: Supplied
The Katoomba Falls Kiosk will be upgraded and extended into a contemporary restaurant and cafe. Picture: Supplied
While the council will pay for most of the heritage building upgrades and car park, the tenant will be responsible for the restaurant extension, including the kitchen, dining deck, staff room and office.
“Katoomba Falls Kiosk is the perfect opportunity for Sydney green-changers to take ownership of a high-visibility business with consistent cash flow, which is maintained by a supportive landlord, Blue Mountains City Council,” Ms Deiley said.
The new side extension will have a floor area of about 344 square metres, including 50 square metres of external dining space.
The single-storey kiosk at 101 Cliff Drive, Katoomba, retains original Federation features such as the hipped roof with terracotta tiles, gablets at each end of the roof and bay windows at the entrance.
The restaurant will form part of the local revitalisation project. Picture: Supplied
The public building is a part of the tourism precinct known as the Scenic Southern Escarpment stretching from Katoomba to Wentworth Falls, which will be undergoing a renewal project.
Other upgrades in the area include creating a defined lookout point to the east of the kiosk and adding new paths and signage to the adjacent reserve.
The council-owned property is heritage-listed. Photo: Supplied
“The vision for this redeveloped and renovated establishment is that it will provide a quality restaurant experience for tourists and locals,” a spokesperson from Blue Mountains City Council said.
“The kiosk sits adjacent to Katoomba Falls Tourist Park and the popular Katoomba Falls Circuit walks. Nearby is Scenic World, which draws over 1 million visitors per annum.”
The heritage-listed building was empty until local groups took a temporary lease at a discounted rate to use the property as an art studio and exhibition space.
The expressions of interest campaign closes October 16 and the redevelopment is expected to be complete in late 2018.
