Southport’s historic former Courthouse Hotel to be redeveloped into towers

The former site of one of the Gold Coast’s oldest pubs is set to be redeveloped into a twin tower hotel and residential complex. FIND OUT MORE

The former site of one of the Gold Coast’s oldest pubs is set to be redeveloped into a twin tower hotel and residential complex.

Ohreka Pty Ltd, linked to Korean-born investor Taek Oh, has lodged plans with the Gold Coast City Council to transform the former Courthouse Hotel, on the corner of Southport’s Nerang and Davenport streets.

The residential tower, which will front Davenport St, will have 12 levels with 25 units, while the hotel tower, which will front Nerang St, will be eight-storeys and have 60 units.

A report lodged by Ohreka with the council reveals the existing building will be demolished to make way for the new towers, which will retain some architectural tributes to its predecessor.

“There are no formal heritage protections in place under state or local planning instruments for the building,” it reads.

“However, the proposed development has regard to the history of the site and seeks to retain

key design elements, paying homage to the unique history of the building.

Artist impression of a proposed redevelopment of the Courthouse Hotel in Southport on the Gold Coast.

“The proposed development draws on the late Victoria era architecture and incorporates a range of contemporary design techniques culminating in a modern design which pays appropriate homage to the historic architectural significance of this prominent site.”

The towers will be joined by a single podium which will also include a bar, shops and healthcare services.

In an unusual feature, the names of the streets will be installed on the sides of the buildings “to serve to assist in wayfinding in the local area but more importantly serve to instil pride of place and contribute to the city’s identity in the heart of the Central Business District.”

The report reveals the tower will have numerous tributes to the 19th century era during which the site was first developed.

“The ground and first floor facade embrace the street through the provision of a built-to-boundary podium area consistent with the siting of buildings on this corner since its 19th century conception,” it states.

Location of proposed redevelopment of the Courthouse Hotel in Southport on the Gold Coast.

“The podium incorporates large arches which reflect the late Victorian era design of the original building and incorporates brick elements which refer to the building’s redevelopment in the 1980s.”

It is the latest twist in the long-running tale of the site, which dates back to the earliest days of Southport’s development 140 years ago.

The Queens Hotel, 1914 Picture: Supplied

The former pub site was founded as the Queen’s Arm Hotel in 1885 by Frederick Fass, just seven years after the small township’s first hotel, the Pacific, which opened its doors on Marine Parade in 1878.

The two-storey wooden structure housing the original Queen’s Arms Hotel was one of Southport’s early success stories.

The pub was later known as the simply as the Queens Hotel and operated until 1998 when it underwent a major facelift and was renamed The Courthouse.

Among its owners through the years was late rugby league legend John Sattler, who operated it during the 1980s.

Artist impression of a proposed redevelopment of the Courthouse Hotel in Southport on the Gold Coast.

In the early 90s it was run by leading liquor retailer Tom O’Neill and his family before it was auctioned in 1996.

It was under the custodianship of Hot Tomato founder Hans Torv when it closed in 2015 and the building sold in 2016 to Ohreka for $4.07m.

In recent years it has been operated as an education facility – Academique College – in the former pub building.

The Academique College building.