Rare Kandos Mixed-Use Gem Hits the Market as More Creatives and Tree-Changers Flock to the NSW Mid-West

A rare mixed-use commercial and residential property built in 1923 as a wine bar in the heart of Kandos, an emerging town in NSW’s mid-west, is for sale via Expressions of Interest, offering buyers a chance to share in the town’s rising appeal among creatives, tree-changers and lifestyle buyers.

The listing at 79 Angus Avenue, Kandos, has hit the market at a time when Raine & Horne Gulgong | Kandos is reporting a sharp change in buyer demographics, with approximately 50% of buyer enquiries now coming from Greater Sydney, many bringing their creative or artistic pursuits with them.

This surge in buyer interest has been partly driven by Kandos’s emergence as a regional arts hub, led in part by Cementa, the artist-led, community-driven organisation that established its base in the town in 2013.

Kandos’ rising profile as a creative destination is also attracting high-profile names, including Archibald Prize winner Blak Douglas, reinforcing its emergence as an arts-led regional hotspot.

“We’ve seen a noticeable lift in enquiries from buyers with artistic and creative backgrounds, as well as tree-changers seeking more affordable housing options” said listing agent Nicole Stearman, Principal of Raine & Horne Gulgong | Kandos.

“Property inspections are attracting more diverse groups than ever before, particularly from Greater Sydney, where buyers are looking for affordability, space and a strong feeling of community.”

Ms Stearman said Kandos’ unique mixture of heritage, creativity and lifestyle is also proving very attractive to downsizers, tree-changers and people wanting to build a business or lifestyle in a regional setting.”

Rare Kandos building combines boutique restaurant, retail and residence

Set at the “Paris end” of the main street, 79 Angus Avenue is a beautifully renovated 1920s building that blends historic character with up-to-date infrastructure.

The property features a fully approved 20-seat boutique, professionally designed restaurant, and a dedicated back-of-house preparation area.

Additionally, the property features a prominent retail showroom currently configured for custom furniture sales, with a possible connection to the dining space, allowing flexible retail or hospitality use. The multipurpose property also offers a large, powered workshop with a distinctive boho-inspired aesthetic, which Ms Stearman says would be ideal for artisans, furniture production, or other commercial use.

Upstairs, a private two-bedroom residence with a separate street entry offers inspired living, with its generous living spaces celebrating the building’s historic character. A renovated kitchen and dining area support independent living, with double-glazed windows and reverse-cycle heating and cooling offering year-round comfort.

A generous backyard created for relaxation and outdoor enjoyment is complemented by established fruit and nut trees and productive growing spaces, while escarpment views provide a peaceful backdrop rarely found in town-centre properties.

“The residence has elevated views across Kandos and toward the surrounding mountains,” Ms Stearman said. “This unique mixed-use property offering exceptional flexibility for buyers seeking a live-work setup or multiple income streams.”

Wine, videos, furniture and heritage charm with flexibility that sets it apart

Originally constructed in 1923 as ‘Mrs Clifford’s Wine Saloon’, a wine bar for managers of the Kandos Cement Works, the building has recently undergone extensive upgrades, including new wiring, plumbing, solar power and a new roof.

“Mrs Clifford was a retired manager of the Kandos Cement works and could see that the developing industrial town needed something more than the two local pubs,” said Jennifer More, current co-owner of 79 Angus Avenue.

“That said, the business must have opened in a hurry because on the western wall of the dining room, you can see where rows of wine bottles were stored, leaving a small imprint in the not-quite-set render.”

The popular wine saloon continued operating under different proprietors for decades, with the shop next door operating as a draper. In the 1970s, it became the local licensed supermarket, with rooms to let upstairs.

Over the years, the building housed a variety of businesses, including a local video shop and an internet cafe. It sat empty for a period during the early 2000s, before the current owners took it on to set up the “AdHoc Furniture” workshop and showroom.

“The kitchen and dining room project followed, then came the complete renewal of the whole building that brought it up to comply with contemporary standards, while keeping the historical character intact,” Ms More said.

“The flexibility of this property is what makes this property so compelling.

“It’s perfectly suited to someone wanting to run a café, gallery, retail space or creative business, while living on-site. That fits exactly with the type of buyers we’re seeing move into Kandos.”