Forest Hill Mahoneys Rd wedding venue Brand Receptions now abandoned building
Once upon a time it was a place of joy and celebration with weddings booked years in advance — now the former top Forest Hill reception centre lies abandoned and derelict. But could all that be about to change?
East
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It’s hosted conferences, seminars, weddings and even boot scootin’ country dancing.
But if a couple was feeling nostalgic and wanted to visit the site of their nuptials, George Karastavrou, who used to run the centre, has some simple advice: “don’t go”.
For years, Brand Receptions at 195 Mahoneys Rd, Forest Hill was one of the best function halls in the area, according to Mr Karastavrou.
Weddings were booked two years in advance. Banks and businesses used its large room for conferences.
It was full basically every day — but that was then.
Now, the centre which is next to the St Andrews Greek Orthodox Church, is an abandoned mess. Graffiti covers its walls, vandals have smashed windows and the grass is overgrown.
“It breaks my heart that people have allowed it to become so run down,’’ he said.
“It’s disgusting. I went past a couple of weeks ago, and to see all the holes in the windows … when I was running it was one of the best function halls in the area. We’d get 300 to 400 people there at one time.
“I had a full-time gardener; he was 83 years old. He used to go to the RSL and he would bring people back to help. Now, it’s totally destroyed.”
Mr Karastabrou sold the property to a Chinese developer in 2004, who, apparently, sold it to another Chinese developer.
For years it has been abandoned with nary a cowboy boot or veil in sight.
But all that could change.
Colin Rounds, of Rounds Real Estate, said the site had been listed for two and a half weeks and was already attracting interest.
“It could be used as an aged-care facility, it could be used for townhouses,’’ he said. “We’ve had one inquiry from someone looking to keep the existing building and turn it into a medical clinic.’’
He said he was not allowed to disclose the vendor’s asking price.
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On the Whitehorse Leader Facebook page, Rebekah Mitchell-Matthews said buildings were being left abandoned in Whitehorse for years, while Flores Marco suggested it could be turned into a youth centre.
Whitehorse general manager Jeff Green confirmed the condition of the property has been raised with the council and action was being taken to make sure the building is not a risk to the public.
He said the only permits that have been sought for the property were for a place of assembly, place of worship or an education centre.