Farrah Building in Dean Street, Albury sold for $1.01 million at auction

Louise Farrah's great grandparents opened the two-storey building at 472 Dean Street in 1930 when Lebanese families made their considerable imprint on central Albury.

Ms Farrah fought off at least four bidders at the auction conducted on site by agents LJ Colquhoun Dixon commercial real estate agents.

“When this came onto the market I was immediately interested,” she said.

“It is Dean Street and of course there is the family connection.

“You always have a limit, but I'm happy with the outcome.”

The property was owned by Patrick Fiddes for 14 years.

The larger Corban Building next door sold at auction late last year for $1.51 million under similar spirited bidding witnessed by a crowd of more than 30 people on Friday.

The 472 Dean Street property has a long established restaurant tenancy, Downtown Pizzeria.

Ms Farrah is part of a family-owned property group which includes her father Wayne.

They recently developed a David Street office building which was formerly the Haberecht's electrical store and Hanrahan's dry-cleaning outlet.

LJ Colquhoun Dixon agent Andrew Dixon said the result was indicative of interest in Dean Street properties.

“It represents a yield of less than 5.5 per cent so it is a pretty strong sale,” he said.

“There was probably six to eight potential bidders here today.

“Dean Street properties are always sought after.

“They are tightly held and people generally want them.”

The earliest recorded Lebanese visitors to Albury were hawkers moving through rural areas of Victoria and NSW selling wares and using the Murray River as a watering hole for their horses.

They were followed by small business people from Melbourne in the drapery, manchester and clothing fields.

The Abikhairs were among the early arrivals.