Boggabri will have a four star, five bedroom bed and breakfast and a restaurant in the near future when the owners of the former Commercial Bank complete its restoration.
The old bank, built in 1913, is a noble building, but was in need of a comprehensive makeover.
Chris and Leon Kiely saw the potential, bought the building and have embarked on its restoration.
“We looked at a number of towns in the west and north west”, the couple said.
“But this looked ideal and it is a growing centre.”
The couple began work in August and there was much to do.
However, the ‘bones’ of the old bank are solid and the fittings are fantastic, with a wooden central staircase, six inch wide cypress pine floorboards, shellacked interior doors, high pressed tin ceilings, lead lights, french doors opening on to the top floor verandah and many fittings, such as intricate fireplaces, retained as original.
Leon is a builder by trade and the couple, with some help from their visiting son Matt, have made huge inroads into the work.
Their research revealed the bank was officially opened on September 22, 1913 and they have found a few artefacts which had survived the decades.
There is one room with original linoleum, made in England and bought from Hordern Brothers, Sydney, which will unfortunately have to go.
The renovated building will be carpeted and the colour scheme and attention to detail is creating a prestige accommodation and restaurant centre.
“We are calling the restaurant ‘Vault’ as a nod to the building’s history,” said Leon.
Unfortunately, no stash of left over bank money was found in the renovations, except a penny, but small and interesting items like match boxes and cigarette packets have their own charm and provide a link with the old days.