One of Newcastle’s best-known former nightspots is set for a dramatic new chapter after plans to transform Argyle House into a multimillion-dollar home were approved.
The City of Newcastle has approved the redevelopment of the former nightclub, once known as Fanny’s, into a five-bedroom residence on the 1000-square-metre inner-city site.
The venue has been closed since Boxing Day 2024, bringing an end to its long association with Newcastle’s nightlife and entertainment scene.
Newcastle hospitality operators Russell Richardson and Greg Mathew have owned the property since 2011 and are now considering the next step for the landmark site.
Mr Richardson said changing habits across the city had helped drive the decision to pursue a residential future rather than reopen the building as a hospitality or entertainment venue.
“We felt after 11 years at the Argyle that it is due for a change,” he said.
“The city and the people are changing, and we need to change with it.”
The approved development, being marketed as the Argyle Residence, would turn the former nightclub into one of the few freestanding homes in Newcastle’s CBD.
Plans include five bedrooms, a 32-square-metre lap pool, kitchen and dining area and formal lounge.
A separate library and study, sauna, gym and three-car garage are also included.
Mr Richardson said the freestanding nature of the property would offer its future occupants a level of privacy rarely found in the heart of the city.
“It will be complete privacy and autonomy on the space as it is freestanding and would lend itself to a range of uses, primarily a large modern home,” he said.
Despite its proposed new use, the history of the site will remain a significant part of its future.
Argyle House is listed on the NSW State Heritage Register and is located within the Newcastle City Centre Heritage Conservation Area.
The main building on the corner of Wharf Road and Argyle Street dates to 1857, when it was built as the headquarters of the Australian Agricultural Company.
Under the approved plans, that building will be retained, while the rear buildings have approval to be demolished and replaced with a two-storey development.
Mr Richardson said finding a balance between the building’s history and its new purpose was important throughout the approval process.
“I think it was important to all parties being us, state heritage and council and I think we came to a brilliant result,” Mr Richardson told Newcastle Weekly.
“It’s been a lengthy process but now provides a clear path to building.”
City of Newcastle also considered the heritage impact of the additions as part of its assessment.
“The proposed additions are not considered to be dominant in the Wharf Road streetscape, which does not have an overall established heritage character,” Newcastle Council stated in its Development Assessment Report.
“The majority of buildings in the immediate context are contemporary developments that are much larger than the existing structures on the subject site.
“The scale of the additions is diminutive compared to the neighbouring buildings.”
While a dwelling house is not ordinarily permissible within the MU1 Mixed Use Zone, council found the proposed use compatible with the surrounding mix of residential, tourist accommodation, commercial and hospitality development.
Council described the proposal as “an appropriate adaptive reuse outcome for the site” that would contribute to the diversity and activation of the city centre while remaining consistent with strategic planning objectives for the area.
Only one submission was received during the public exhibition period, which was in favour of the development.
For Mr Richardson, the plans also mark another evolution for a building that has continually changed with Newcastle.
Before becoming Argyle House, generations of Novocastrians knew the venue as Fanny’s.
Mr Richardson said its famous student nights remained among his strongest memories of the venue.
“Fanny’s was a fun place to work but was again coming to the end of its run when we took over,” he said.
“The ongoing Wednesday night student night was the highlight but again with the changing habits of students by day also changing at night it came to its end.
“Our Halloween nights, New Year’s Eve and larger events such as Steel City Dance Disks with Kettama were some standouts.”
While approval has now been secured, Mr Richardson and Mr Mathew have not committed to completing the redevelopment themselves.
“We aren’t builders, we run venues,” Mr Richardson said.
The pair are open to several possibilities for the property, including selling the approved project.
“We could do a few different things so the next month or so we’ll work out the best approach,” he said.
As for what a completed Argyle Residence could ultimately be worth, Mr Richardson said there was no figure attached.
“That’s for the market to decide.”
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