Motel where Whiteley overdosed to be sold

The motel where famed Australian artist Brett Whiteley died from a heroin overdose two decades ago has been entangled in a messy financial collapse.The Thirroul Beach Motel closed earlier this month and will be put on the market after Sydney insolvency firm Jamieson Louttit & Associates took possession of it and the nearby Jim's Fish Cafe.

Jamieson Louttit & Associates partner Jamieson Louttit said George and Kosta Dimitrovski defaulted on the mortgage provided by Australian Executor Trustees Limited for both properties.

The Dimitrovskis are also directors of Thirroul Property Holdings, the owners of Austinmer's troubled Headlands Hotel site.

Thirroul Property Holdings went into receivership last year with debts of more than $16 million.

Australian Executor Trustees Limited sought and obtained court orders earlier this year to take possession of the motel and shop.

That action was wrapped up this week when a truck removed abandoned possessions from inside the motel, which will now be valued and sold. That will usher in a new era for the building made infamous after Mr Whiteley's body was found there in 1992.

Mr Louttit doubted the site would be sold to a developer.

"I don't think so because I think the value is in the motel because it's the only one ... I can see from there all the way further up the South Coast," he said.

The Jim's Fish Cafe building, which comprises the shop and a residence, was scheduled to go to auction next month but contracts have recently been exchanged.

"We had a lot of interest in it and just thought the buyer was at the right price and it was time to stop mucking around with it and sell it," Mr Louttit said.

George and Kosta Dimitrovski could not be contacted for comment.

Source: Illawarra Mercury, 29 June 2012