The iconic Paragon Café in Katoomba is finally showing signs of improvement after a government inspection confirmed that emergency works are underway to secure and protect the iconic site from further damage.
A spokesperson for the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water told The Greek Herald today that “Heritage NSW inspected the former Paragon Café in Katoomba on Monday 2 June with the owner’s building manager. Further work has been undertaken to make the property safe from trespassing and ongoing vandalism.”
The spokesperson added that “Heritage NSW was satisfied the required emergency heritage works are being carried out. We will continue to work closely with the owner, Blue Mountains City Council and the Heritage Council of NSW.”
The update comes just weeks after Heritage NSW issued a formal compliance order to property owner John Landerer under Section 120 of the Heritage Act 1977, directing urgent measures to secure the building and prevent further deterioration. The order required the café to be secured within 14 days and a detailed heritage report to be submitted within two months.
Long a treasured symbol of Greek Australian heritage, the Paragon Café — built in 1916 by Greek migrant Jack (Zacharias) Theodore Simos — had fallen into disrepair since its closure in 2018, prompting widespread community concern.
Despite a development application being approved in 2020, restoration efforts never materialised, and the boarded-up venue became a magnet for vandalism, graffiti and squatting.
Photographs shared by the Friends of the Paragon group earlier this year revealed broken fittings, smashed windows, and drug paraphernalia scattered throughout the once-celebrated art deco interior.
The recent government intervention, praised by both state and local officials, has now entered a critical follow-up phase.
While significant restoration work is still needed, the latest update signals progress and renewed oversight of the heritage-listed landmark, which remains a vital part of both the Blue Mountains’ cultural fabric and Australia’s Greek immigrant history.
