Rockhampton Leichhardt Hotel: Demolition permit approved, time’s ticking

Australian Venue Co has revealed its plans for an iconic Rockhampton CBD venue, with a vision to reopen by 2024. See the plans here.

The skyline of Rockhampton’s CBD will be changed forever as the seven-storey Leichhardt Hotel is set to be demolished.

Throughout various points of Rockhampton’s history, the tall structure, built in the 1970s, can be seen and it will be a moment in history to see the building gone.

A Sydney-based building company, SGB Group, had a demolition permit for the site approved by Rockhampton Regional Council on September 6.

The venue closed at Easter time earlier this year, as soon as Rockynats wrapped up.

It was announced then the venue was set for demolition as the costs for renovations outweighed that of a new building.

Major national hotel chain Australian Venue Co, which managed the venue, wasn’t able to reveal many details of what was in store for the site for the future.

It is understood a ground floor venue with a big beer garden is possibly in the works.

No development application has been submitted to council at this stage for a future development.

“This is a transformational project, which involves extensive planning, development and approvals,” an AVC spokesperson said.

“We’re excited to be taking the next step, and are working towards an opening in summer of 2023/24.”

The venue was first named Duthie’s Leichhardt Hotel and was built in the 1970s by JM Kelly for Les and Emily Duthie.

Hotel Property Investment Limited bought the property in 2004 for $3.52 million.

The main building fronting Bolsover Street has seven floors with two floors of function facilities and 60 four-star hotel rooms.

Over the past few years the venue had fallen into disrepair with lots of negative reviews of the accommodation offering online.

The units at the back of the site, towards Bolsover Lane and Denham Street, have been left neglected and abandoned.

Earlier this year, the function levels, one level of accommodation and the gaming room were closed due to “water damage”.

The kitchen, which used to service the Rockhampton Watchhouse, closed in February.

At the time of the closure, there were 21 staff working at the hotel who were offered redundancies or relocations to the Club Hotel in Gladstone.

Travel Associates, which leased a corner space of the building, moved up the road to 89 Denham Street last month.