Behind a towering 20-metre sandstone facade on Maitland's High Street is one of the region's most impressive historic treasures.
And now it's on the market.
The almost 140-year-old former bank, complete with seven-metre ornamental ceilings, marble fireplaces, and its original vault, is listed with a $3.1 million auction price guide.
"It's a significant sized block of land in the heart of Maitland, being close to half an acre, and it has the history and the commanding architectural features to really create something beautiful," River Realty listing agent Chris Henry said.
Known as Mansfield House, the grand three-level building was originally designed by renowned architect George Allen Mansfield in the Italianate Classical Revival style.
Constructed in 1887 at a cost of £20,000, it operated as the banking chamber for the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney and later National Australia Bank (NAB) until 1990.
Inside, the towering building's architecture is preserved, including a grand entry foyer that was once the banking chamber.
Period features fluted columns, cedar joinery and arched timber windows.
"The craftsmanship that has gone into what only a bank could afford back in the day is incredible," Mr Henry said.
"It's irreplaceable from a cost perspective, but there is investment required to bring it up to what its potential is."
The property is offered for the first time since 2021 when it was sold for $2.5 million to its current owners.
It was previously sold in 2012 for $1.25 million to Tom Richards and Christian Cramp, who undertook an extensive four-year restoration to revive the heritage building into a functions and events venue.
"They completed a restoration during that period under their ownership," he said.
"The property now needs someone to come in with a vision who has got the skills and the ability to become a custodian.
"With these sorts of properties, it's not necessarily always the cost to buy it. It's the cost to retain it over a long period of time."
After sitting unused for eight years following its bank closure, the building was reopened as a venue and renamed Mansfield House as a tribute to the architect.
"It's vacant at the moment, but the previous owner used it as a functions centre, running high teas and a wedding venue," Mr Henry said.
"There is a commercial kitchen and a DA for a function centre and wedding centre. It could be used for a potential restaurant downstairs and boutique accommodation upstairs."
The ground floor comprises the former manager's office, an executive boardroom, and the original bank vault.
Across the upper levels, there are six accommodation rooms on level two and four additional rooms on level three with shared kitchen and dining areas, and eight bathrooms.
Outdoors, the 1909-square-metre block includes sandstone-paved courtyards, heritage gardens, mature trees, an ornamental gazebo, and entertaining zones with rear lane access.
"The word that I've heard the most as I'm registering guests as they walk through is wow," Mr Henry said.
"It's that instant grand scale room as you walk through those opening bank doors.
"You see the joinery, the detail in the ceilings, the grand gold columns, the vault, and it really gets your mind thinking of what it would have been like many years ago working in the building."
The property is scheduled to be auctioned on August 11.
Mr Henry said the listing had generated widespread inquiry since it went live to market.
"The inquiry on the property has been significant," he said.
"It has been from all over the country. People have been drawn to it and want to know more about it because of the architectural nature.
"It is such a standout building.
"There has been some commercial inquiries from people that are already in the restaurant industry, in the entertainment industry, and there's been inquiries for people that are already in weddings and functions centres."
According to Cotality sales records, the property has changed hands four times since 1992 when it sold for $345,000, later selling for $350,000 in 1998, $1.25 million in 2012, and $2.5 million in 2021.
