$380m Kirra Beach Precinct: Inside revamp of Kirra Beach Hotel
Southern Gold Coast locals have given a new pub in a $380m development their approval, saying opening day ‘ran smoothly’ despite some hiccups. Read the reviews
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Southern Gold Coast locals have given a new pub in a $380m development their approval, saying opening day ‘ran smoothly’ despite some hiccups.
Kirra Beach Hotel poured its first beer on Monday after almost three years of construction.
The plans, which were released by the KTQ Group in 2021, were met with scepticism from some locals who didn’t want the pub to change.
However, on Monday hundreds went to check out the new venue which boasts a “sun-drenched” beer garden with views of the surf, a family-friendly bistro, kids area, public bar, sports bar and a boutique bottle shop.
Gold Coaster Simon Paynter commented on a Facebook post asking for locals opinions on the new pub and said he arrived at the venue at 11am on Monday.
“I spent the whole day there (and) everything ran smoothly,” he said.
“The place is great.
“Everything is cheap and it’s not overpriced.”
Another local Jami Dunn said she loved the energy of the pub.
“Everyone was happy and having a great day,” she said.
“So stoked it’s back.”
Locals who were worried the price of beer could have shot up were pleasantly surprised to see a schooner for $8.
However, some were concerned about the price of food with a steak burger costing $28 and a chicken schnitzel at $25.
“Unfortunately the prices reflect what rent they must be paying, $28 for a steak burger is out of my league. Bye bye Kirra pub,” Patti Lindsay said.
KTQ’s development director Jeremy Holmes and licensee Greg ‘Hodgy’ Hodge said they had people waiting in line from 9am.
“It was great to have so many of the locals back in and see so many friendly faces,” Mr Hodge said.
“The bar filled up straight away with all the locals getting their first drink and catching up.
“Some people even took the day off work just so they could come and enjoy the pub again.”
Despite the majority of positive reviews there were some locals who said they arrived at the pub at 1.30pm to have lunch and the kitchen was closed.
“Walked a kilometre and at 1pm they have run out of food and the kitchen is closed,” Brett Smith said on a Google review.
“$380m spent and can’t even organise some frozen chips.
“What an embarrassment.”
A Kirra Beach Hotel spokesperson apologised for the experience.
“Today was our first day of trading and while we planned to accommodate everyone, there were issues with our new systems,” they said.
“We appreciate your support and would love to see you back at Kirra Beach Hotel.”
A local replied to the comment on the Facebook post and said “I’m not bagging them, (I) expected things won’t run 100 per cent on opening day”.
‘They kept the same feel’: Inside revamp of Kirra Beach Hotel
Some of Australia’s top surfers have given their tick of approval to the new Kirra Beach Hotel.
In less than seven days the highly anticipated revamp of the hotel will be unveiled to the public. However Mick Fanning, Joel Parkinson and Mark Occhilupo were among the crowd at a “soft launch’ on Tuesday. And from all reports the surfing legends liked what they saw.
KTQ’s development director Jeremy Holmes said the Aussie sporting icons signed prints which are hanging on a ‘hall of fame’ and donated some of their boards which are displayed above the bar.
“We want locals to come here, people from all over the Gold Coast and Australia, and all become invested in the Kirra ethos and rhythm,” Mr Holmes said.
“We still have the old merchandise and bits and pieces from over the years.”
In 2021, Southern Gold Coast locals said goodbye to what was the Kirra Beach Hotel after KTQ Group released plans for a $380m transformation.
Stage 1 of the Kirra Point Precinct includes the Kirra Beach Hotel, which will reopen from 10am on November 27.
Publican and licensee Greg ‘Hodgy’ Hodge who was running the Kirra Beach Hotel for eight years prior to its demolition said he believed new and old patrons would “love” the venue.
“The pub has been here for seventy-odd years,” he said.
“The local community already knows and loves it.”
Mr Hodge said he understood the scepticism from locals about what the pub would become, but wanted to enforce the core values hadn’t changed.
“It was in a state which we couldn’t go on with anymore,” he said.
“The owners have rebuilt it and kept the feel of how it was. We will always keep a tub of thongs behind the bar for you, if you haven’t got shoes.”
The pub will now be home to a “sun-drenched” beer garden with views of the surf, a family-friendly bistro, kids area, public bar, sports bar and a boutique bottle shop.
The Kirra Point Precinct will have 130 parking spaces in a new underground car park which will be accessible via Musgrave Street.
Mr Holmes said they were expecting to open their 1200 sqm “elevated beachfront dining, drink and event” venue, Kirra Beach House early December.
The venue will be operated by hospitality boss Dave Galvin who spent four years creating the Kirra Beach House concept.
Mr Galvin said the “high-end” venue would still have a beach club atmosphere.
“The southern Gold Coast has been crying out for a venue like this but it was important for us to ensure it embodied the Kirra lifestyle,” he said.
“We wanted to create something that was elevated yet approachable and effortless, evoking the idyllic feeling of a relaxed beachside oasis.”
The final stage of the project will include a residential apartment tower, a boutique hotel and a retail precinct featuring a village square, a fresh food marketplace, florist, bakery, gelataria and more.
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