Broadway owner puts forward plan to rebuild part of heritage hotel

A proposal has been put forward to rebuild the three-storey section of the derelict Broadway Hotel with outer wings of the building up for demolition.

The three storey section of the Broadway Hotel at Woolloongabba. Picture: AAP/Richard Walker

THE owner of the Broadway Hotel has lodged plans to partially demolish the heritage-listed building in a bid to build a mixed use development around the main three storey section of the derelict hotel.

A future development proposal would retain the main three storey section of the hotel section on the corner of the site, however the two storey wing at the centre of the site, the single storey wing to the side and the pavilion, terrace bar, storage buildings, stage and sail structure to the rear of the site, including the WWII air raid shelter, would be demolished under the proposal.

The developer argues in the proposal that the original sections to be demolished are damaged or less significant to the heritage fabric of the hotel because of fire damage and that the hotel had been altered and extended to suit the changing needs of hotel patrons since it was first built.

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The 1889 hotel has been left derelict since a fire in 2010 damaged a large portion of the three storey main hotel building and a further fire in September 2018 resulted in further damage to the three storey building and the outer wings.

The developer argues that pre-lodgement advice from council in 2015 on a highrise proposal put forward by Majella Enterprises gave in-principle support to the demolition of the existing hotel single storey wing, two storey wing, air raid shelter and other buildings and structures to the rear of the site.

The burnt-out shell of the Broadway Hotel after successive fires. Picture: AAP/Richard Walker

Councillor Jonathan Sri (Woolloongabba) said he did not support the partial demolition of the hotel.

“If the owner is allowed to demolish these parts of the hotel and build something new instead, that will send the wrong message to the property industry because it is essentially endorsing demolition by neglect.

“The buildings are of heritage significance and the owner’s argument for knocking them down is that they are now too deteriorated due to water and termite damage, but that is because the owner has allowed the buildings to fall into disrepair.”

City Planning Chairman Matthew Bourke said the application, received on Monday, was impact assessable and would be considered against the provisions and requirements of City Plan 2014 and the Planning Act 2016.

“Council understands this application is to remove outbuildings extensively damaged by fire and will retain the three storey main hotel structure which is currently protected by a Council Enforcement Notice and State Government Stop Order notice,” he said.

“The application included a copy of a Heritage Exemption Certificate issued by the State Government, however further information is required from the applicant to determine whether all proposed works are supported by this exemption certificate.”