Gold Coast development: New beer garden planned for Kirra Beach Hotel

A 15-storey tower is planned for this famous pub in a move which will see the famous watering hotel redeveloped. But before that happens, something else is in store.

Kirra Beach Hotel. Picture: Brendan Radke.

A GOLD Coast pub destined to be replaced by a 15-storey tower is about to undergo a major change in time for summer – but all the action will be at ground level rather than high rise.

A new beer garden is proposed for the Kirra Beach Hotel under plans submitted to the Gold Coast City Council.

The red outlined area is where the beer garden will be created. Picture: Gold Coast City Council

It has been earmarked for an empty block of land next to the watering hole which was home to a unit building until recently demolished.

The site will be turfed over and a fence erected around it, with much of the existing greenery retained.

Area councillor Gail O’Neill said the beer garden would likely remain until the site was redeveloped, along with the pub, into a tower overlooking the famous Kirra beach.

NOMINATE HERE FOR GOLD COAST WOMEN OF THE YEAR

The hotel has long been slated for redevelopment. Picture: Brendan Radke.

GET FULL DIGITAL ACCESS FOR 50C A DAY

“Everyone is waiting with bated breath for something to happen with that site, given they have had an approval for a long time,” she said.

“I’m not surprised they are looking at this now and it is an appropriate measure.

“This hotel is a good part of the community and I cannot see this being a problem.”

Redevelopment plans for the site have long been stalled.

A 25-storey tower was once proposed for the land but this was later knocked down to 15 storeys.

It was approved in 2014 but is yet to be built.

The hotel has operated for more than 60 years.