ResortBrokers’ East Victoria Broker Chris Boschetti has settled the sale of the freehold going concern of the Warburton Motel, fondly known as ‘The Warby.’

Located 90 minutes’ drive from Melbourne, the 12-room mid-century motel has been a Yarra Valley mainstay since opening in 1966.

The property sold off market for an undisclosed sum to Blackwood Development, a boutique development and investment firm actively expanding its portfolio of tourism-led accommodation assets.

Since acquiring the property in 2017, the vendors had made embellishments to The Warby that highlighted its classic mid-century aesthetic. In 2022, the vendor’s restoration was acknowledged by tourist bible Time Out which included The Warby in its roundup of Australia’s hippest motels. Further accolades followed in 2023 when The Age newspaper called The Warby “one of Australia’s coolest motels.”

“Classic motels are all the rage with guests, and they don’t get any more classic than The Warby,” says Chris Boschetti.

“Savvy buyers are purchasing classic motels and repositioning them with stylish upgrades to capture this enormous guest demand.”

“Warburton is currently enjoying significant investment to boost its appeal as an adventure destination. The $11.3 million, 160 km Warburton Mountain Bike Destination project promises to turn the town into a world-class mountain biking hotspot that will offer some of the best mountain biking in Australia.”

“There’s no accommodation business better placed to capitalise on Warburton’s appeal, and imminent tourist influx, than The Warby.”