Project update
Ashbridge Capital has been selected to lead the next phase of The Station's renewal and revitalisation, bringing exciting new tourism and hospitality attractions to the much-loved city landmark.
The Station is amongst Newcastle's most treasured historic assets, and Ashbridge plans to undertake high-quality restoration of its heritage buildings, attract best-in-class operators, and bring a carefully selected mix of new uses to the site including:
- restaurants, bars and cafes with outdoor dining options
- specialty retail
- events
- a new multi-purpose function room on the top floor
- and boutique short-stay accommodation.
The Station’s outdoor spaces will also continue to be activated with community and public events such as markets, live music, charity events and family friendly activities, along with new types of events.
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Estimated timeframes*
| 2026 | Temporary activation continues.
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2027 |
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*Exact timings are subject to heritage and planning approvals. We will keep you informed with updates via our eNewsletter, LinkedIn and Facebook as planning progresses.
To ensure safe and efficient delivery of works, there will be periods during construction where The Station's outdoor spaces need to close.
Who is The Station's new operator, and how were they selected?
Ashbridge Capital (Ashbridge) is an Australian real estate investment and development manager with a track record of transforming and activating landmark assets. They are experienced in delivering complex refurbishments, heritage restoration, large-scale leasing programs and sensitive redevelopments to heritage spaces.
Ashbridge was selected following a competitive tender process. Their proposal demonstrated adaptive reuse of the site to create a destination that:
- celebrates the best of the Hunter Region
- is activated all day, every day
- connects community, tourists and families in one socially inclusive precinct
- respects the Heritage significance of The Station site.
What will the new venues be?
Ashbridge plans to curate a mix of tourism, hospitality and boutique retail attractions such as:
- café, artisanal bakery and specialty fine foods
- restaurants with outdoor dining options
- a wine bar and cellar door
- a ‘gastropub’ focused on regional beers and local produce
- events
- a new multi-purpose function room on the top floor
- boutique short-stay visitor accommodation.
Tenancy operators are to be confirmed.
Is NSW Government selling The Station?
No, The Station will be operated by Ashbridge on a 99-year lease. This will provide certainty for The Station's future, ensuring the important site is kept well-managed and maintained.
Once the long-term lease commences, the new operator will take over management and commence restoration. The site itself will continue to be owned by NSW Government.
HCCDC owns The Station and is currently managing its temporary activation to keep the site open and active while its long-term use is being planned.
Does the lease consider what the community wants?
Yes. We know The Station is much-loved, and people don't want to see its historic buildings fall into disrepair or be left unoccupied. A commercially viable outcome will ensure The Station can continue to be enjoyed by locals and visitors for many decades to come.
We engaged with community about their ideas for The Station’s future use via the Revitalising Newcastle Ideas Festival. This showed support for restoration and re-use of the site, with the community telling us that the precinct should be a hallmark destination to attract visitors and tourists to the city. This feedback helped inform our project vision and objectives.
Will the heritage elements of the site be retained?
Yes. All restoration and fit-out works will be designed to complement, enhance and celebrate the site’s unique heritage. The Station is a significant heritage site, and any proposed changes or refurbishment will need to be approved by the Heritage Council of NSW.
Will the site need to close during the works period?
There will be periods where outdoor spaces need to close during construction for safety and management reasons. We will seek opportunities to maintain temporary activation during the construction period.
Will The Station’s outdoor spaces continue to be available for events and other activities after the works?
Yes. The Station’s outdoor spaces will reopen and continue to be accessible to the public after the works are complete.
Ashbridge plans to use The Station’s outdoor spaces for dining and community and public events such as markets, live music, charity events, family-friendly activities and school holiday programs.
There will also be opportunities for new events following the fit-out of the hospitality and retail spaces, including a new multi-purpose function room on the building’s top floor.
The adjoining Market Street Lawn will also remain available for markets and community events into the future.
What will happen to current shops at The Station?
The Station’s current tenants all operate on short-term leases and will be required to vacate when their leases expire. They have been kept fully informed of the long-term intention for the site and will be provided plenty of notice before being required to vacate.
What is the zoning for the site?
The site is zoned SP3 Infrastructure Tourist under the Newcastle Local Environmental Plan (LEP) 2012 and its tourism and hospitality outcome is in line with this zoning. You can find out more about the zoning by viewing the LEP on City of Newcastle’s website.
The Station is amongst Newcastle's most treasured historic assets.
Located in the city’s East End, The Station is a significant heritage site and an integral piece of Newcastle's history. The 1-hectare precinct is owned, and currently operated by the Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation (HCCDC).
The Station was the city’s key transport precinct for over 150 years, and its heritage buildings constructed in the 1800’s provide a beautiful example of Victorian architecture, reflecting Newcastle’s prosperity and transport history. The precinct has historical associations with the Great Northern Railway, and it was the only regional station with a silver service dining room for passengers.
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The original railway station ceased operation in 2014, and since then HCCDC has delivered significant site enhancements and a temporary activation program to allow community use of the space while its exciting future is being planned.
This has included:
- providing a temporary venue for pop-up events, shopping and recreation
- new opportunities for small operators to trial and build their businesses through affordable short-term leases and activation support
- community events including markets, family days, fitness classes, music and food festivals.
The Station’s temporary activation has provided a great stepping stone for the sites future, and we will continue to enable pop-up retail and event offerings in the space while planning for the sites long-term use progresses.
General enquiries
Long-term lease and project enquiries, contact:
Aaron Cook
Senior Development Manager
Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation
Phone (+61) 02 4904 2759
[email protected]
Media enquiries
Media enquiries and information for journalists, contact:
Sarah Collins
Senior Communications Manager
Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation
Phone (+61) 02 4904 2792
[email protected]
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