First look at revised plans to upgrade East Brisbane’s historic Lord Stanley Hotel

The owners of the landmark Lord Stanley Hotel have revealed they have scrapped plans to build a new rooftop bar at the East Brisbane venue. Here’s what they will do instead.

The landmark Lord Stanley Hotel will no longer get a rooftop bar, but owners of the East Brisbane venue will instead open a new beer garden and function bar.

A development application submitted by planners RPS Group revealed some big changes to the previously approved plans for the 994 Stanley St property.

The Lord Stanley Hotel

The hotel, originally designed by prominent Brisbane architect Richard Gailey about 1889-90, was recently approved for refurbishment and upgrades including a new ground level beer garden and new rooftop deck off the existing function space.

However, new documents submitted to Brisbane City Council show the developers now proposed to remove the planned rooftop bar in order to reduce the scope of the works.

The hotel site at 994 Stanley St. Picture: Supplied

“The existing roof will be retained over this section, with no structures proposed over the beer garden located on the ground level below,” RPS Group said.

“It is now proposed to utilise part of the area approved for the rooftop to extend the function room, implement a function bar area and function deck area overlooking the beer garden below.

“These areas are all contained within the existing hotel.

“These changes remove the rooftop bar and include the function bar and deck area.”

Floor plans of the proposed hotel upgrades on the ground floor. Picture: Supplied

The new proposal also includes minor changes to retain the existing roof structures and outdoor dining area to keep them open, rather than covered as was previously the intention.

Floor plans of the proposed hotel upgrades on the second floor. Picture: Supplied

“As the proposal intends to decrease the scope of the works required to the hotel, contained generally internal to the building, no impacts on the heritage aspect of the building will result of the proposed changes,” RPS Group said.