The NSW Government has launched legal action to force urgent repairs to the deteriorating 110-year-old heritage-listed former Paragon Café in Katoomba.
Civil enforcement proceedings have been filed in the Land and Environment Court of NSW. It is alleged the owner has failed to maintain the minimum standards and repairs required under the Heritage Act 1977.
It’s only the second case of its kind to be taken to court in NSW.
“The Paragon is an irreplaceable treasure of our heritage, reflecting more than a century of migration, entrepreneurship and community in the Blue Mountains,” said Heritage Minister, Penny Sharpe.
“Places like the Paragon carry our history and must be protected because once lost, they cannot be replaced. That is why we are taking decisive legal action.”
The Paragon opened in the Blue Mountains in 1916, established by Zacharias Theodore ‘Jack’ Simos. It is celebrated for its ornate decor, art deco architecture and story of Greek migrant success.
For generations, the café had been a beloved institution, attracting visitors who came to experience a taste of Greek cafe culture, indulging in handmade ice creams, sundaes, sweets, chocolates, confectionary, cakes and pastries.
But the Paragon has sat empty since 2018.
Legal action by the Biodiversity and Heritage Regulator follows interventions by Heritage NSW to improve the property’s condition, including two formal Orders under the Heritage Act 1977 directing urgent repairs and maintenance.
“We have a responsibility to ensure heritage-listed properties are protected for future generations,” said Biodiversity and Heritage Regulator, Chief Regulatory Officer, Adam Gilligan.
“This action sends a clear message that heritage obligations must be taken seriously, and owners of these properties have a legal responsibility to maintain them.”
