$3M facelift: Renovations start on 109-year-old hotel

Construction has started on a multi-million-dollar facelift to one of the Coast’s oldest watering holes headed by a syndicate of high-profile investors.

Renovations are underway for Maroochydore's Duporth Tavern which has been operating for 109 years.

CONSTRUCTION has started on a multi-million-dollar facelift to one of the Sunshine Coast's oldest watering holes.

The Duporth Tavern, which was first established in 1911 as the Club Hotel as the first hotel in Maroochydore, will soon have a new double-storey extension to the tune of $3 million.

The popular tavern is owned by Raw Group which is headed by Clayton Williams and MRKD Projects Pty Ltd, comprising of Mayor Mark Jamieson, real estate agent Ken Guy and businessmen Ron Milne and Doug Meecham.

Work has begun on a multi-million-dollar facelift at the Duporth Tavern in Maroochydore.

Mr Williams said the upgrades included new function rooms overlooking the night-life strip Ocean St, and a refreshed look to its current facilities and toilets.

He said the project has been going on behind the scenes for two years and was due to be completed by late July or early August.

Renovations are underway for Maroochydore's Duporth Tavern which has been operating for 109 years.

"It's been a two-year process with local groups and Sunshine Coast Council and we have spent a lot of time with designers to get a look and feel that reflects a premise that's 109 years old," Mr Williams said.

Mr Williams said it was important the new design worked side-by-side with the streetscape and also defined and gave credit to the tavern's history.

In a previous interview with the Sunshine Coast Daily, Mr Williams said the terraced area could be closed after 10pm to mitigate noise and would offer space for up to 100 people standing and 80 seated.

Renovations are underway for Maroochydore's Duporth Tavern which has been operating for 109 years.

Mr Williams said the popular tavern would continue to operate and trade as normal.

"Access and entry from the car park will stay as is and dining is set-up in the laneway," Mr Williams said.

"The big screen for sports is still playing, and the pokies, TAB and live music as normal."

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