Broadway Hotel: Brisbane community speaks out about redevelopment plans

THE historic Broadway Hotel at Woolloongabba is set for a multi-million dollar redevelopment. Now the community has had their say.

Sebastian Monsour, of Majella, at the Broadway Hotel site. Picture: RIC FREARSON

WOOLLOONGABBA community members say the height of the proposed Broadway redevelopment is excessive and out-of-touch with the surrounding area.

It comes after Brisbane based development company Majella Group reveals its plans for a $260 million, 24-storey redevelopment of the Broadway Hotel.

Gabba Hill Community group member Rob Friend the 24-storey height was not in line with the city plan which allowed up to 20 storeys.

“That’s in excess of what the planning scheme said, (Brisbane City) Council should enforce its planning scheme and tell them straight up,” he said.

He said all urban development had pros and cons.

“A plus would be that it might bring more people and more things,” he said.

Majella Group chief executive officer Sebastian Monsour said the company was “very conscious” of not dominating the street-line and listening to concerns.

The iconic hotel was built in 1889-90 for Brisbane publican Michael McKenna and was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in October, 1992.

Unfortunately, in 2010, the hotel, owned by Brisbane doctor Malcolm Nyst, was extensively damaged by fire and never reopened.

The Broadway Hotel was damaged by fire in 2010. Picture: STEPHEN WALKER/ SUPPLIED

City South News took to the streets to ask southsiders what they thought of the plans.

David Maver, 45, of West End, said he was glad the Broadway Hotel would become a pub again.

“I remember when it used to be pink and you could cook your own steaks there,” Mr Maver said.

Jamie McEvoy, 25, of Annerley, said he was a “big fan of development”.

“If you don’t build up you build out so I always think it’s better to have people together in a small place,” he said.

Whereas, Lilly Guy-Goddard, 18, of West End wished the pub could be restored to its original form.

“I also think we have enough buildings in Kurilpa. If it was restored to its original form I’d go there,” she said.

An artist impression of Broadway Hotel’s proposed development.

The 24-storey development proposes to incorporate the Queensland heritage-listed Broadway Hotel at the intersection of Logan Rd and Balaclava St, Woolloongabba.

The development would include 280 one, two and three bedroom apartments, including 14 sky homes.

The development application is due to be lodged with Brisbane City Council next month.

Construction would start next year and be completed in 2019.

A historic photo of the Broadway Hotel at Woolloongabba circa 1929.