Cambo resurrection on cards after $110m student accom plans scrapped

The Cambridge Hotel may yet live, with the iconic Novocastrian pub returning to market on April 9. The currently-shuttered venue is expected to attract a sale price of upwards of $10 million.

The “Cambo” site was lined up to become a $110 million student housing complex, with Linkcity lodging plans to build the 560-resident building weeks after the pub’s doors swung shut, but that ambitious plan has now been scrapped after the French-owned developer’s call option on the site quietly expired in November.

The latest surprise twist in the ongoing saga, which most recently saw Newcastle punters goodbye the Hunter Street venue in June last year, was first reported by View.com.au late on Monday.

The possibility was reported even earlier, by the Newcastle Herald, but nothing firmed until recently.

Listing agent Adam Leacy, who is a director at Commercial Collective, told View.com.au that the biggest selling point for the now-for-sale-again venue is its eight poker machines—which are entirely included on the title and in the license—as well as the chance for the long-standing venue to welcome live music back again.

"The precedent is set with the facility in terms of its live music ability, so someone can take it through to its next life cycle now," he said.

Over the years, the Cambo hosted some truly huge names, from Blink-182 and Childish Gambino (though that one didn’t go so well) to Parkway Drive, RÜFÜS Du Sol, and Tame Impala. Newcastle acts like Boo Seeka, Raave Tapes, and Rum Jungle played at the venue’s closing Farewell Festival in late June 2023 alongside Grinspoon, British India, The Smith Street Band, Illy, Drapht, Dune Rats, and more.

This is the third time the 789 Hunter Street location has been for sale this decade.