Demolition set to begin on Ambassador Motel in Rockhampton

Demolition is set to begin on a Rockhampton hotel to make way for a brand new hardware store and showroom.

Temporary fencing and demolition notice signs have been erected around the Ambassador Motel site, which will make way for a new Sydney Tools store.

Demolition on a derelict Rockhampton motel is set to begin in the near future with temporary fencing and demolition site signs erected around the property.

The Ambassador Motel, on Yaamba Rd on the city’s north side, was pegged for demolition in December when plans were lodged with Rockhampton Regional Council.

Signage for Demex, a demolition company who are also in the process demolishing the Leichhardt Hotel, can be seen on the temporary fencing.

The plans were lodged by SpinksCo Commercial, a privately owned Brisbane-based development and investment company founded in 2009, which has links to Rugby League legend Darren Lockyer.

Temporary fencing and demolition notice signs have been erected around the Ambassador Motel site, which will make way for a new Sydney Tools store.

The demolished hotel will make way for a brand new Sydney Tools store.

Sydney Tools was formed in 2001 and has stores in both Gladstone and Mackay.

According to the plans for the new store, the retail showroom building will be constructed along the southern boundary of the site, to be 8.5m high with a 1800 sqm gross floor area, and access would be from both streets, with a 45-space car park.

The Ambassador Motel was built in the late 1960s and operated for a number of years.

A garage sale was held at the motel in October, with linen, furniture, electronics, white goods and solar equipment sold for as low as $20.

The sale of the motel was finalised in November 2023 for $1.44 million to brothers Elvis and Jason Bey, who co-own Sydney Tools.

However since the plans were lodged and approved it hasn’t been totally smooth sailing for the site.

In February there were two fires at the vacant motel, two nights in a row.

Demex said they were not in a position to comment on the project.