Power family to open new Norman Hotel venue at Enoggera
A well-known Brisbane family has begun work at a landmark northside site for a sister venue to a steakhouse long known as Brisbane’s worst vegetarian restaurant.
Brisbane’s “worst vegetarian restaurant’’, the Norman Hotel at Woolloongabba, is about to get a twin venue at a high-profile Enoggera site.
Work began this week at the corner of Wardell St and Samford Rd, opposite Guzman y Gomez, for a three-storey pub with a rooftop level and on-site butcher.
Queensland hotels and brewing family the Powers bought the original Norman, built in 1889, eight years ago for about $7m.
James Power said they had already updated their trademarked moniker from the singular to the plural — Brisbane’s worst vegetarian restaurants.
“It’s going to be great for that area. It will be large format dining, 400 seats with three private dining rooms on a mezzanine level,’’ Mr Power said.
“We’re going to have premium steaks but not the sort of crazy prices you see in Fortitude Valley and in a relaxed atmosphere.
“We will have the 1kg challenge every year, like at the Norman, and a Spanish feel with arches.
“I think we’re really filling a need and we have 500 people already signed up to be on our database.’’
Mr Power said there would be a beer garden on the rooftop but no live bands, also like the Norman.
The new venue, to be called Norman Northside, was due to open mid-2026.
The news was welcomed by the Norman’s loyal followers.
“Wow, it will be a game changer for the area. Thanks for the investment,’’ grano777 posted.
Doncott said: “Can’t wait. This is exactly what we need in Enoggera. I’m excited.’’
The 3077 sqm site, next to heritage-listed Enoggera Memorial Hall, has been vacant since a state government upgrade of the choked intersection in 2013.
At one point there were two life-size cutouts of cows gracing the sloping block, Angus and Duke, which were later rustled by cow-nappers.
“The proposal is for a mixed use, restaurant-focused development (which) will provide a
high-quality restaurant outcome,’’ the development application (DA) said.
“The restaurant will provide a focal point for the local residents.’’
Council previously approved the site for a mix of childcare, health services, a shop, office and food and drink outlets spread across two buildings.
Parking and access at the Guzman y Gomez is often very problematic, particularly at night from Friday to Sunday.
But a TTM traffic consultants report claimed the 115 pub parking spaces, spread over two basement levels and also on level two, would not significantly worsen traffic around the intersection.
Vehicle access would be via Wardell St and also via Samford Rd, which would be the main entrance.
The KP Architects design would “provide the connecting piece to the railway station and adjoining community facilities’’, the DA documents stated.
“Because of the topography of the site, as well as the nature of the adjoining road networks, the ground level retail spaces have been set back from the front boundary and have a ground level that is below the level of the street,’’ it stated.
The proposed gross floor area would be substantially less than the previously approved 2530 sqm.
A Bull and Bear Economics report said the hotel would meet community demand for dining options. At present residents had to drive to other areas to eat out or drink.
Town planners Mewing Planning Consultants said residents living on the north and northeast boundaries of the project would be screened by 3-4m wide landscaping.
There would be amplified music in only one outdoor, sit-down dining area, on level two, which would be for background music from 7am to 10pm.
There would be no amplified sound on the rooftop.
