The NSW Heritage Council has officially issued a compliance order to the owner of the iconic Paragon Café in Katoomba, directing urgent repair and security measures to preserve the heritage-listed site, which has fallen into severe disrepair.
The order, made under Section 120 of the Heritage Act 1977 and served on May 14, compels registered owner and Sydney solicitor John Landerer to take immediate steps to secure the property, prevent further vandalism and trespassing, and engage a heritage consultant to assess the site.
Mr Landerer now has 14 days to secure the café and implement surveillance, and two months to provide a full heritage report outlining the work required to meet the minimum maintenance standards.
Heritage NSW confirmed to The Greek Herald that it is “working closely with the owner of the premises who has indicated they are already taking steps to comply with the order.”
The long-neglected site has become a source of growing community concern after boardings were erected in June 2024, sparking hope of restoration that never eventuated. Instead, photos shared with the Friends of the Paragon group have shown escalating vandalism, graffiti, broken fittings, and drug paraphernalia scattered throughout the interiors of the once-grand art deco venue.
The intervention by Heritage NSW has been welcomed across the board. NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe previously told The Greek Herald that “the failure to protect this item has been devastating for those who have been hoping to see the building restored to its former glory.”
Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill echoed the sentiment, telling the Blue Mountains Gazette, “It was our staff who called for this but the power to act has always resided with state government and today they are heeding our call… We are very grateful and council supports this action.”
The café, which closed in 2018 following a dispute between owner and tenant, has remained empty since. Built in 1916 by Greek migrant Jack (Zacharias) Theodore Simos, the Paragon Café is a celebrated landmark of Greek Australian heritage, listed by the National Trust in 1975 and placed on the Register of the National Estate in 1977.
Despite a council-approved development application in 2020, minimal restoration has occurred, leaving the building vulnerable to damage.
With the new compliance order now in effect, Heritage NSW has signalled it will closely monitor progress to ensure the site is protected for future generations.
