Sight unseen: WA buyers snap up famous Tasmanian ruin

Heritage property expert Dominic Romeo has sold the Royal Hotel. Picture: Supplied The former Royal Hotel at Gormanston — a blackened concrete shell that has stopped traffic and captured imaginations for decades — has sold for $320,000, in a deal that came together far quicker than anyone expected. The registered heritage ruin, along with its adjoining cafe building, shed and 2266sq m allotment on the Lyell Hwy, was snapped up by buyers with an extraordinary backstory: they are from Perth, WA, have never set foot in Tasmania, and bought the property entirely sight unseen. Selling agent and historical property expert Dominic Romeo said the sale settled last Friday, and the new owners were due to fly across to see their purchase in person for the first time at the end of this week. MORE: Million-dollar milestone: Tassie homes join exclusive club Back in business: Knight Frank, McGrath join forces Swansea’s grand old lady seeks new custodian Only 6pc of homes within reach for average Tassie earners No.23422 Lyell Hwy, Gormanston. No.23422 Lyell Hwy, Gormanston. According to Mr Romeo, the buyers are a chef named Naiche and his partner. “I love these types of buyers — they have a sense ...