It had been the site of a pub for about 135 years but the more recently named O&H Hotel in Warragul is soon to take on a totally different purpose.

Local building firm Herbel Construction has been working since early this year to repurpose and modernise the interior of the building in Queen St.

Foreman on the project Peter Wall said work on the ground floor was nearing completion and would be ready for occupation in a matter of weeks by Gippsland Physiotherapy.

Progress on redeveloping the upper level, that will become office space, is expected to continue until early next year.

The building that has been vacant for several years following the O&H’s closure was bought in 2020 by local businessman Leigh Herbel.

The hotel had a colourful history after it was built on the current site in 1887 by Daniel Kennedy.

The year after the then named Crown Hotel was built, it and several other businesses established along Queen St in Warragul, were destroyed in a devastating fire.

Mr Kennedy had also bought land to the north-east of the town where he established a brickworks and the replacement hotel, renamed Orient, became the first building in Warragul made with locally handmade bricks.

The new hotel opened for business in 1890 but was not fully completed for about another year boasting a bar, dining room and accommodation.

It remained the Orient Hotel for about 120 years until being rebranded O&H.

The current redevelopment retains the substantial structure Mr Kennedy built about 135 years ago but the interior has been substantially demolished to cater for its future uses.