From history to high living

The Rooms of Renown apartments come with a long and fascinating history and are part of a beautiful heritage building erected at 36 Kurrajong Avenue, Leeton in 1915 by William Wallace McEachern. William also established the Enterprise Hall and Globe Theatre that once sat proudly next door and housed Leeton’s first open-air picture theatre and roller staking rink. The building was leased to the Panaretto brothers in 1920, who expanded and converted the shop to form The Renown Refreshment Rooms, known as Leeton's original "movie café".

Over the years, the building has had many faces and names, including as a dental surgery, café, library and stationery shop, printing and stenography services and at least two fashion boutiques. Many Leetonians know the building as “Gaskins Lending Library” and fondly remember the two twin sisters who were the proprietors from 1941 and also lived in the residence at the rear of the building, which is now home to Rooms of Renown. The commercial premise at the front of 36 Kurrajong Avenue and the adjoining residences had been vacant for decades when Liane and James purchased them in late 2021.

Across 2022 and 2023, the building once again experienced a pivotal transformation in its long-standing history, becoming Leeton’s first and only boutique luxury apartments, with more than a nod to the town’s rich Art Deco history. The shop at the front of the property is now proudly leased by The Fabric Farm.

About your hosts

Rooms of Renown is the passion project of Leeton locals James and Liane Gawne —avid lovers of vintage items and heritage experiences.

From clocks, cigarette tins and bird cages, to vintage bicycles and old cars, James has been a collector and curator of heritage and quirky items since he was a young boy. One of James’ most prized vintage items is a 1936 Pontiac sedan (Art Deco, no surprise there). It’s yet to be restored, but its motor still runs (James starting it by crankshaft, no less).

Liane has always loved to travel and is a collector of experiences; from Ronda in Spain and Intramuros in the Philippines, to Stone Town in Zanzibar and Samburu in Africa. She has always been fascinated by Egypt, particularly the expeditions undertaken during the 1930s, and counts her honeymoon to Egypt with James as one of her top experiences!

James and Liane first fell in love with 36 Kurrajong Avenue in 2019, but having recently renovated two properties, they couldn’t give the building the attention and energy it deserved. They returned to view the property again in 2021 and knew then and there that it was time for them to bring their vision to life, quickly securing a slice of Leeton’s history and putting the wheels in motion for Rooms of Renown.