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DCK Real Estate and Colliers International have been awarded the tender to sell the former Bendigo Mining Exchange (BME), the City of Greater Bendigo announced this morning.
Bids are now open for the historic building and will close on November 7.
City of Greater Bendigo planning and development acting director Ross Douglas said there was no minimum price set for the building.
He said the building would be sold to the developer that had the best capacity to restore it in line with the City of Greater Bendigo and Heritage Victoria's vision for the building.
The council has previously said the development must add life to the city, be commercially viable and showcase the building's history.
"Price is part of it but we really want to see this building restored," he said.
He said a number of developers had already expressed interest in the project, including one from South Australia.
He said he was confident the building would be sold by November 7.
“The city has every confidence DCK and Colliers International will present the BME in the best possible light and develop a strong marketing campaign that will attract interest from a number of potential developers and investors,” he said.
"This will be one of the key buildings in Bendigo."
He said the developer could potentially lease out or sell certain rooms in the building to various retailers and real estate agents.
He said there was a strong possibility certain areas could be converted into residential apartments.
The BME is the oldest known purpose-built stock exchange in Australia and was purchased by the city in December 1999 with the assistance of a state government grant.
The city then took on a stewardship role and undertook critical repair works including replacing the glass lantern roof, installing storm water drainage, rebuilding all chimneys and replacing a main supporting beam between the first and second floor.
A Heritage Victoria permit has been obtained to facilitate the refurbishment and redevelopment of the building.
Planning and development acting director Ross Douglas said as a result of the works the BME was now “investment ready”.
DCK Real Estate and Colliers International were also the companies tasked with marketing the old Bendigo Advertiser building for sale, which is now being turned into the city’s first five-star hotel.
Colliers International Senior Executive Travis Hurst said Bendigo was going from strength to strength and both companies were thrilled to again be selling another iconic local building.
Following the marketing period and subject to the expressions of interest received, the city will then chose an applicant to purchase and redevelop the BME.
