Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg buys iconic Rous Hotel after snapping up historic Monaltrie Homestead

Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg has bought the flood-smashed Rous Hotel in the CBD. Here’s what’s planned.

Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg has bought the Rous Hotel.

Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg has snapped up Lismore’s Rous Hotel, he has confirmed.

After weeks of speculation, it has been revealed contracts were exchanged late Friday, July 7.

It comes after weeks of activity at the site, including builders and concreters working on ongoing refurbishments, as well as valuations.

The works were part of “special conditions” of sale, according to the sale agent John Hannagan.

Mayor Krieg said the hotel was “significantly damaged” in the 2022 floods and has required “a lot of work”.

“We’ve moved 30 cubic metres of rubbish out of here already,” Cr Krieg said.

“Three 10-metre skip bins just of rubbish.

“We’re still cleaning, building, doing lots of different things. It’s all happening.”

The Rous Hotel before the floods. Picture: Chyna Hayden

The Rous Hotel after the floods.

The Northern Star was told Lismore builder Joel Jensen “just jumped on board” to help as much as possible to get the project moving.

It is believed the hotel was bought for about $600,000 in an “as is” condition from the Colsan Group, which bought the Rous Hotel, or the Henry Rous Hotel, from longstanding Lismore family, the Bulmers for about $700,000 in 2020.

The Colsan Group has a combined property portfolio of about $13 million and owns several hotels in greater Sydney.

Cr Krieg said the lease he holds for his restaurant, La Baracca, for the past 15 years will not be renewed and the well known cafe will move across the road.

La Baracca Espresso Bar and Trattoria on Keen Street, Lismore.

“Yes, the Rous will be rebranded as La Baracca,” Cr Krieg said.

“It’ll be a cafe like what we’re doing, just bigger, more of a restaurant.

“Down the track we’ll have a bar in the front room.”

Cr Krieg said there was a lot to get done before his current lease expires.

Selling agent John Hannigan said the Kriegs have “big plans” for the hotel site.

“He’s only in a week-to-week basis thing where he is now,” he explained.

“He’s doing a very good job of the renovations.”

Cr Krieg said he was happy the sale has finally gone through after securing finance and resolving conditions.

“We’re just trying to get out life in order and stay upright,” he said.

Hotel Henry Rous Lismore.

The Rous has been boarded up since the floods smashed Lismore.

The purchase comes after Cr Krieg purchased Lismore’s first homestead earlier this year.

It’s understood Cr Krieg snapped up Monaltrie Homestead for about $700,000.

Lismore Mayor and owner of popular cafe La Baracca Espresso Bar and Trattoria plans to move his cafe into the newly acquired Henry Rous Hotel across the street.

The Rous Hotel was previously owned and operated by Lismore family Frank and Pat Bulmer and their son Mick.

The pub occupies a prominent 1745 square metre corner site and includes a main bar area, bistro cafe Rous, enclosed beer garden and large car park.

There is also a “Reels Bar” cocktail and lounge bar, as well as a 2-bedroom fully self-contained manager’s residence.

Originally published as Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg buys iconic Rous Hotel after snapping up historic Monaltrie Homestead