The Building

Lodge 241 is a landmark 3 storey weatherboard and brick building occupying a prominent main street position in the beautiful Mid North Coast town of Bellingen near Coffs Harbour. It sits on the western end of Bellingen and is the last building as you head for the Dorrigo Plateau and the first building as you head in to Bellingen.

Purpose built as a Masonic Temple in 1912 by master builder, George Moore, it was purchased from the Masons in 1996. It's unique location affords outstanding river views and the surrounding Bellinger valley plains and beyond to the Dorrigo Plateau. The building itself is one of Bellingen's finest examples of Federation architecture spanning three levels, each offering something different.

The present owners, purchased the property in 1999 and have restored and renovated it in accordance to Heritage guidelines and council regulations and complying with current fire and access codes, to accommodate a main floor Café/Gallery with indoor, balcony and terrace seating for 60 people; a first floor New York Style living area of 148 square metres and a lower ground floor commercial space.

The lower ground floor built in solid brick with timber floors, high ceilings, a beautiful hardwood staircase leading to the first floor café also has a separate side entrance. Privacy, fabulous views from it's large windows and has almost unlimited potential as commercial office space, gallery, studio or retail showroom subject to council approval. It currently serves as a gallery exhibition area or could become a wine bar, meeting room or classroom.

 

The ground (middle) floor has been sympathetically renovated to accommodate a Gallery Café, the most striking interior feature being a huge communal table complimented by bar tables at the windows and outside tables on the terrace and grass. High ceilings, period wall lighting fixtures, menu blackboards with French doors leading to the side verandah with cafe seating looking to the east. An open staircase leads to the lower ground floor commercial space and a mezzanine floor with separate office and storage area of 18 square metres between the two levels. On the café floor two bathrooms are provided, one with handicapped facilities.

The top level is the ultimate in New York, Studio Style open plan living, boasting a 148 square metres of stylish space with pressed metal walls, super high ceilings, solid cedar windows and doors, brand new Federation style bathroom with claw footed bath and washing machine. A self-contained fully equipped kitchen with stainless steel gas fan forced oven, refrigerator/freezer,dishwasher and built in microwave oven. The apartment is equipped with custom designed hardwood queensize bed, double 8ft. high bookcases, casual chairs, TV with DVD-player, a breakfast bar with stools and a storage wardrobe. The separate entrance foyer with 3 double French doors open onto a full width balcony overlooking the council maintained lawns.

The building has been completely renovated from top to bottom including period light fittings throughout, new wiring and plumbing, gallery halogen fixtures, new sewerage/grey water system, and a big slow combustion cast iron heater on café level. Recently painted to heritage guidelines, new guttering and downpipes installed.

Lodge 241

In recent years thousands of cafes have opened across Australia, but in terms of quality of food and service they can vary from good, bad to the very ugly. However, there are some notable exceptions.

In Bellingen - no stranger these days to new cafes - there is one café that is truly distinctive.
Under its own slogan 'not all cafes are created equal', Lodge 241 Gallery Café has of late gone through a remarkable renaissance. Not only has this former Masonic Lodge - the grand old lady of Bellingen - been given a fresh coat of paint, but it now boasts an expanded art gallery featuring local and international works of art, a vibrant seasonal menu, and unique views of the Bellinger valley.

The menu comprises of a range of freshly prepared meals to suit all tastes. The Café is famous for its cakes and tarts, all prepared and baked on the premises. The many awards which are proudly displayed on the café walls reflect a long-standing dedication to excellence in cuisine and friendly service.

The owners, Tanja and Laurence Crooks, are dedicated to ensuring that the Café remains a communal meeting place. Many thousands of patrons, including writers, actors, artists, scholars, media celebrities and even former prime ministers, have enjoyed breakfast, morning and afternoon teas and lunches on the famous verandahs overlooking the Bellinger river to the escarpment of the Dorrigo plateau.

Over the years, Lodge 241 has been the venue for plays, poetry readings, book launches and art exhibitions. As owner Laurence Crooks says: "I believe that the Lodge will be here in a hundred years time, and it will always be a place that the community of Bellingen and surrounding district can be proud of' ... The history of this place is grounded in some admirable intentions and we would like the Café to remain a place of excellent food and drink, artistic energy and vibrant atmosphere.
It's a place to come and socialize with friends, have meetings, relax and enjoy the wonderful atmosphere and surroundings".

Located at the top-end of Bellingen, the Café is easily recognized by its orchid coloured heritage facade and open verandahs. It opens Wednesday through Sunday from 8:30am onwards. (02 6655 2470) BYO.

The Residence

148 square metres of space, super high ceilings, pressed metal walls. Fully furnished including kitchen, bathroom and queen size bed. The most amazing views to the north and west overlooking the Bellinger river and the surrounding Bellinger valley plains to the Dorrigo Plateau. That, plus your own full width balcony located on the south side makes the first floor New York Style residence THE place to live in style and luxury.

From the ground floor (Café level) a separate staircase leads you up to this open plan New York style residence. Being fully furnished it comes with: A self contained fully equipped kitchen with stainless steel gas fan forced oven, refrigerator/freezer,dishwasher and built in microwave oven. The apartment is equipped with custom designed hardwood queen size bed, double 8ft. high bookcases, casual chairs, TV with DVD-player, breakfast bar with stools and storage wardrobe. The separate entrance foyer with 3 double French doors open onto a full width balcony overlooking the council maintained lawns. The brand new Federation style bathroom contains features such as a claw footed bath and washing machine.

Since the building has been completely renovated from top to bottom in the last 7 years the residence has got new wiring and plumbing, new light fittings, new sewerage/gray water system, a new coat of paint in accordance to heritage guidelines and new guttering and down pipes.

Prime Commercial Space

60 square metres, high ceilings, timber floors, café entrance and outside steps. This might be the open plan office space you need.

The lower ground floor built in solid brick with timber floors, high ceilings, a beautiful hardwood staircase leading to the first floor café also has a seperate side entrance. Privacy, fabulous views from it's large windows and has almost unlimited potential as commercial office space, gallery, studio or retail showroom subject to council approval. It currently serves as an office area or could become a wine bar, meeting room or classroom.

E-mail: Lodge241@bellingen.com