World · East Asia & Pacific · 3 hrs ago
Abandoned Sydney entertainment complex may be refurbished
The Panjo complex in Leumeah, south-west of Sydney, was planned as a major family entertainment centre with pools, an ice rink, mini-golf and other facilities.
Its developers expected it to draw 35,000 visitors a week, but the centre never opened.
Work stopped in 2011 after funding problems, following the global financial crisis and a dispute with a lender.
The unfinished six-storey building was left abandoned and became a target for vandalism and decay.
New owners bought the site earlier this year after it returned to the market.
In September, they lodged plans with Campbelltown City Council to refurbish it as a mixed-use precinct.
The council will consider those plans, but the sources do not say what decision it will make.
The abandoned Panjo entertainment complex in Leumeah may be refurbished under plans lodged with Campbelltown City Council in September.
The six-storey building was sold to new owners earlier in 2026.
The proposed project would transform the site into a mixed-use precinct.
Work on the 14,000-square-metre complex stopped amid funding problems, and it never opened.
The building has since deteriorated and been damaged by vandalism.
- Who
- The new owners, whose plans are for the Panjo site.
- What
- They lodged plans to refurbish the abandoned complex and turn it into a mixed-use precinct.
- When
- The building was sold earlier in 2026, and plans were lodged in September.
- Where
- Leumeah, in south-western Sydney, near Campbelltown.
- Why
- The plans propose refurbishing the building and transforming it into a mixed-use precinct.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Work on the Panjo Destination Centre 4 Children was progressing before the global financial crisis hit.
The project halted amid the financial crisis and a dispute with the lender.
Work appeared to resume after developer Anthony Panzarino secured some additional funds.
The development company collapsed into receivership.
An application to convert the building into a childcare centre, recreational facility and 139 apartments was lodged.
The building was sold to new owners, who lodged refurbishment plans in September.
- Location
- Leumeah, near Campbelltown
- Building
- Six storeys
- Floor area
- 14,000 square metres
- Original project cost
- $50 million
- 2026 proposal
- Refurbish the building as a mixed-use precinct
- 2014 proposal
- Childcare centre, recreational facility and 139 apartments
1 source
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