A heritage pub, a height limit and housing: Blue looms over Breakfast Creek

The news

Owners of the Breakfast Creek Hotel and their industry lobby group have come out in opposition to a mixed-use 18-storey apartment tower pitched to neighbour the heritage-listed Brisbane pub.

Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group, one of the country’s biggest pub operators, said the plans would lead to the “inevitable degradation of amenity”, including by “overshadowing and overlooking”.

The Queensland Hotels Association acknowledged “the need for urban renewal due to the housing crisis” but could not support a tower next to the historic pub.Credit: Matt Dennien

In its submission, the group opposed DRJ Investments’ development application because the tower would rise eight storeys above local planning limits and failed to consider noise impacts.

“We note that similar residential developments that adjoin the Royal Exchange in Toowong and, nearby, the Regatta Hotel at Toowong have had noise complaints drawn against heritage pubs, with ultimately the trade hours having to be restricted,” the submission states.

How we got here

First lodged with Brisbane City Council in June, the application says the 199-unit tower with a rooftop level and a public plaza would “build a sense of place for the community” 10 metres west of the pub.

A separate 14-storey tower about 150 metres to the east of the pub has been proposed in an unrelated application.

Why it matters

Documents submitted on behalf of DRJ Investments frame the development within the stated aims of the council and state government to supply “vital” higher-density housing in underutilised areas.

The 10-metre buffer to the pub (right) was “considered more than reasonable” to maintain its amenity, DA documents state.Credit: Jackson Teece

Because the plans did not meet the council’s criteria for the site, they were opened to public submissions to be considered in the final decision.

Most of the 18 submissions lodged before this month’s cut-off oppose the tower, including those of the Queensland Hotels Association lobby group and other hospitality venues across Breakfast Creek.

What they said

In the QHA submission, chief executive Bernie Hogan said his organisation understood “the need for urban renewal due to the housing crisis” and leading up to the 2032 Games.

“[But] the QHA can only support responsible development that recognises the value of landmark hospitality venues such as the Breakfast Creek Hotel,” he wrote.

“To allow the proposed development is to ignore the long-standing social, heritage, and economic value the hotel provides to the people of Brisbane and tourists to Queensland alike.”

QHA chief executive Bernie Hogan

Hogan noted difficulties faced by other historic venues incurring “exorbitant costs” from residential developments built close by, and said the “iconic tourist attraction” would be no different.

The ALH Group noted the pub, built in 1889, includes a beer garden and outdoor dining spaces open until 2am Monday to Sunday, “which we do not intend to reduce or change in any capacity”.

A preliminary heritage assessment by Urbis, commissioned by ALH Group for its submission, said the scale of the proposed development had “potential to dilute the landmark status” of the pub.

Urbis recommended a detailed heritage impact statement be undertaken and a reduction in the podium height to match the ridgeline of the pub, with any future marketing and building management to “make clear to residents” the lawful operations of the pub.

Some of the submissions supporting the development mention its favourable proximity to the CBD.

Another perspective

Plans submitted on DRJ’s behalf by town planning firm Place Design Group point to “several developments in proximity to the site” that also exceed the maximum building heights.

“Based on this, it is reasonable to conclude, where appropriate, the building height can be exceeded and is a representation of the community’s appetite to expect this can and will occur,” it says.

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