Revitalising a Newcastle icon

Iconic Newcastle Post Office plans approved

The restoration of the historic Newcastle Post Office located at 96 Hunter Street has taken a significant step forward, with the DA for the site being approved by City of Newcastle. The development now valued at $3.6 million, marks a long-anticipated milestone in the evolution of the city’s heritage buildings.

Originally constructed in the late 1800's and added to the NSW Heritage Register in 2000, the former post office has remained closed to the public since 2001. Owned by Dr Jerry Schwartz since 2018, the building is now set for a new chapter, one that provides cultural respect, commercial use, and architectural restoration.

The approved plans include a state-of-the-art conference centre, street-level retail, a café, and an Aboriginal cultural centre. Following feedback from the Heritage Council of NSW and the City of Newcastle’s Urban Design Review Panel, initial proposals including an added level were revised to maintain the building’s historic integrity.

Restoration works will focus on preserving and repairing original features, including the ornate columns, capitals, arcades, windows, and fireplaces. A new glass roof over the first-floor terrace is also planned, enabling the function space to operate year-round while respecting the architectural character of the building.

City of Newcastle CEO, Jeremy Bath has welcomed the progress, noting the importance of returning the building to public use.

From the East End to the West End, Newcastle’s commercial and cultural precincts are evolving. For stakeholders and investors, this project reinforces confidence in the region’s long-term vision, where heritage, innovation and activation go hand in hand. Newcastle CBD's revitalisation is well underway and is only likely to see buoyancy from here.