Former Maitland Mercury building set to house new accommodation options in Central Maitland

Maitland City Council last night endorsed a development application proposing a new mixed use accommodation and function centre along Maitland’s High Street.

The proposed development encompasses the site of a local heritage item, the former Maitland Mercury building, which sits at the intersection of High Street and Hunter Street.

The historic building was home to the newspaper for 170 years before being vacated in 2012. Under the proposal, 258 High Street will transform into tourist and visitor accommodation, comprising 26 hotel rooms, including nine serviced apartment rooms, a reception, gallery, lounge, bar and dining hall.

Meanwhile, 2 Hunter Street would see construction of a new two storey building for a function centre and commercial tenancies.

The Maitland Mercury has long been a vehicle for local news and information across the Maitland area.

Maitland Mayor Philip Penfold said the site’s ‘longstanding affiliation with the Mercury newspaper made it an important part of Maitland’s story and history.’

‘We’re also pleased this development will hold onto and preserve the aesthetic elements contributing to High Street’s historical texture.

‘The alterations to the rear of the site won’t detract from the building’s classic late 19th and early 20th century architectural style, found up and down Maitland’s storied High Street.’

Maitland City Council Manager City Experiences and Economy Caroline Booth said the adaptive reuse proposal would address two important aims to reactivate a ‘significant Maitland heritage site’ and ‘deliver more quality accommodation options for visitors to Maitland.’

‘The community identified the need for more hotel and motel style accommodation options in Central Maitland during engagement for the development of our Destination Management Plan 2030, so we’re pleased to see this come to fruition here,’ Ms Booth said