1 Templeton Street

Guildford VIC 3451

Originally the Commercial Hotel, circa 1865, this grand double-brick building was raised on the high side of the Loddon River to feed and shelter the region's gold rush populace, at a time when the Mount Alexander alluvial goldfields were among the richest in the world. In 1916, it found its next calling as a general store. More than a century on, that calling is stronger than ever.

The Opportunity

A landmark building. Two complementary businesses. A community that has been built over more than a century. A courtyard made for live music and long evenings. A pizza oven with a reputation. A liquor licence is ready to transfer. All of it on approx 1448 sqm in a location Melbourne weekenders and regional food lovers are discovering in growing numbers. The foundations, physical, commercial and cultural, are strong. What awaits is the opportunity to take one of Central Victoria's most iconic hospitality venues and make it truly sing.

The Caf & General Store

Step through one of two sets of period double doors into a space that time has treated very kindly. The main shop, approx 11.5m x 5.8m, soars to 12-foot ceilings, its pine floorboards worn smooth by generations of boots, its old-world boxed shelving housing products and curios handed down through previous ownerships. Solid plaster walls, hallway arches and three-metre verandahs on two sides give this space a presence that is both timeless and deeply alive.

An adjoining private dining room with an open fireplace offers something rarer still: intimacy. Whether a private dinner, a long winter lunch, or a degustation event, this room earns its keep in any season. The updated shop kitchen features commercial appliances, a gas cooktop, electric oven, stainless steel benches, dishwasher and rangehood. A large storeroom and a generous 5x4 metre cellar round out the provisions. A split system and integrated solar system keep comfort and running costs in check year-round.

The Converted Stables Restaurant (Woodfire Pizza open Thursday, Friday & Sunday 5pm-8pm)

If the general store is the heartbeat of this property, the converted stables are its spirit. Exposed timber gables, trusses and brick walls, slate flooring, a wood heater, a wood-fired pizza oven and a mezzanine level of vaulted ceiling beams and nine-inch pine floorboards, anchored by a bar area of easy conviviality.

And then there is the courtyard. Sheltered and sun-drenched, spilling onto the side street, this is where the magic happens. Pizza nights draw the locals in. Live bands fill the warm evening air. A pomegranate tree, a cumquat tree and a generous canopy provide dappled shade and complete a picture no interior designer could manufacture.

The main kitchen is spacious and well-equipped, with an eight-burner Waldorf cooker, rangehood, two commercial electric ovens, a commercial dishwasher, substantial stainless steel bench space, a multitude of cupboards and storage shelving, and a walk-in coolroom. Both kitchens are fully outfitted with all the commercial appliances and equipment required to operate the store, caf and pizza bar. A dedicated toilet block off the courtyard services the retail areas.

The Residence & Grounds

Three rooms arranged off a long central passage offer flexible accommodation, owner's quarters, staff or short-stay, serviced by a private bathroom. The stables building also includes a self-contained one-bedroom living quarter with its own bathroom and split system, ideal for a manager's residence or an additional income stream.

Beyond the buildings, the property continues to impress. A generous private green space of approximately 1100 sqm offers a quiet retreat, future outdoor dining expansion, or subdivision potential (STCA). A 6.5m x 4m barn provides excellent storage or workshop potential, a 4.7x7.5 metre carport delivers covered vehicle accommodation, and additional open parking ensures guests and staff are well catered for, a practical advantage that is rare to find in a heritage township setting.

The Location

Guildford sits on the Loddon River in Central Victoria's most compelling lifestyle corridor, 11 minutes (approx) to Castlemaine, 18 minutes (approx) to Daylesford, and just over 90 minutes (approx) from inner Melbourne. Home to the famous Big Tree, a river red gum 34 metres tall with a 12.8 metre circumference, a London Plane avenue of honour, diverse sporting options and the beloved Banjojamboree festival, it is a town that punches well above its weight. The foodie trail through this part of Victoria is well-worn and growing. The Guildford General Store is already on the list. The next chapter is yours to write.

For a full list of chattels, contact the selling agent.