Tattersalls Hotel in Casino plans major upgrades, renovations

One of the Northern Rivers’ beloved watering holes is set to be transformed with new accommodation cabins, kids rooms and more. See the plans.

A Northern Rivers heritage-listed hotel will get a major transformation in the first sign of its recent $10 million takeover.

Vibe Architects has lodged a development application for regional pub baron Rodney Kelly and his company Kelly Hotels for the Tattersall’s Hotel in Casino.

Noted as being the oldest hotel in Casino, the Tattersalls Hotel dates back to 1859.

Proposed improvements include two new accommodation cabins at the rear of the hotel, a conversion of the old gaming room to a kid’s play area and demolition of exterior/internal walls and arches.

Okey Andersson enjoys a cold one at the Tattersalls Hotel in Casino after it came out of Covid lockdown.

The cabins would replace a short-term cabin added by previous owners which was not approved by Richmond Valley Council.

Planning documents say new finishes will bring the design more in line with early Australian interiors over its current “boldly coloured and perhaps Hispanic influence”.

“Whereas the finishes to the proposed gaming room will be in line with the sparkle of a modern-day gaming room, the proposed internal finishes to the new bistro and function rooms will see those finishes restored to neutral colours more in keeping with heritage items,” the documents read.

Plans show proposed additions to Tattersalls Hotel, Casino. Picture: Vibe Architects.

The estimated $420,000 renovation comes after Mr Kelly and his company took over the hotel from former publican Craig Lusby for about $10 million.

Heritage documents state the building is the only remaining Casino business that has operated continuously on the same site since before 1870.

“While modified the building has the ability to tell of its long history and is an important item in the Casino CBD Conservation Area and should be retained,” the statement reads.

1920s photo card of the Tattersalls Hotel Casino. Picture: ANU Archives

Documents state the heritage listing will be of paramount importance to the redesign.

While the plans will largely have no significant impacts on the building’s heritage standing, the removal of exterior walls on the eastern side of the hotel will present a visual impact to the building as seen from the Barker Street laneway, the report notes.

However visual impacts will be mitigated by the retention of significant views of the hotel from the Barker Street.

Plans (highlighted in purple) to be added to Tattersalls Hotel. Picture: Vibe Architects

Residents will have their opportunity to comment on the redevelopment until March 7, via this link here.

Kelly Hotels Properties Pty Ltd was contacted for comment.