Iconic hotel unveils $2 million revamp

THIS iconic South East Queensland hotel will officially unveil its $2 million new look today. It comes as the venue prepares to celebrate its 115th birthday.

Lisa Casablanca in front of the Belvedere Hotel. Picture: Bradley Cooper.

THE Belvedere Hotel patrons have seen many changes to the venue in its 115-year history, but its place as a South East Queensland has not wavered.

The venue at Woody Point on the Redcliffe Peninsula will officially reopen its restaurant on Thursday, October 27, after a $2 million redevelopment.

It comes as The Belvedere prepares to celebrate its 115th birthday with a free family event on Sunday, November 6, from noon-7pm.

Marketing, entertainment and events manager Lisa Casablanca said many patrons had family links to the hotel, stretching back six generations, and she hoped the community would join in the birthday celebrations.

Ms Casablanca said the building was an icon for greater Brisbane.

She said the redevelopment showed the owners were keen to invest in their only Queensland hotel, recognising its prime location and significance.

“People can’t wait to see it,” Ms Casablanca said.

The restaurant has been rebuilt with a bigger kitchen and centrally-positioned bar and coffee bar.

The popular children’s playground will also reopen on Thursday.

The old cafe area, sunset lounge, back bar and Jetty Bar will be refurbished in the coming weeks.

The Belvedere Hotel as it looked in the 1920s.

LOOKING BACK:

1890s: The Belvedere was built as a boarding house by Mrs Jamison

1901: Thomas Snook bought it and made it a hotel

1920: Landy family took over

1935: Mrs Hook took control of the venue and named it Hook’s Belvedere

1940: New hotel replaced the former building

1966: Castlemaine Perkins bought the hotel

1992: Owned by Allan Scott, Wes Wright was hired to manage the pub in 1998, and he bought the licence

2003: Bought by Drinx Group