Daylesford’s iconic Rex building is set to thrive again, sold to a group of locals with a vision.
The Rex sold to Eddy and Malinka Comelli and David and Yuge Bromley for $3.75 million, $500,000 above the reserve price.
The foursome beat out five other expressions of interest.
Arriving in Daylesford in the late 1960’s, the Comelli family are wine makers who brought the Refosco vine cutting method to Australia.
Iconic Australian artist David Bromley is locally based and co-owns design studio Bromley and Co with wife and co-creator Yuge.
While the group’s financial bid for the building was strong, their localism has worked in their favour.
“With both of our families local to the Daylesford community, the honour of purchasing and developing this iconic building into a thriving destination spot for both locals and visitors alike was our key driver,” said Yuge Bromley on behalf of the group.”
She adds that they want to make it a “thriving” destination for local and visitors.
“We have some initial plans regarding the arcade and atrium, making it a place where visitors local and from afar can frequent time and time again” Bromley said.
Hepburn Shire Council decided to sell the building in July of this year following a decision in 2021 to abandon plans to develop the Hepburn Hub community space at the site.
At the time, two thirds of community members surveyed voted against its sale, however Council decided the financial cost of keeping the building was too great.
Council says The Hub project remains under investigation by the Local Government Inspectorate.
