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New island-themed bar proposed for Cairns Esplanade hotel

Plans for a flashy new Caribbean-inspired bar on the ground floor of a landmark Cairns Esplanade hotel have been lodged with city planners. Check out the stunning images.

Crystalbrook Collection's new Riley hotel

A flashy new Caribbean-inspired bar on the ground floor of the Crystalbrook Riley resort complex has been proposed for the landmark Cairns Esplanade hotel.

Plans, including artist drawings submitted to Cairns Regional Council, reveal a refurbished light and breezy island themed bar featuring exposed wood grain, wicker furnishings and tasselled beach umbrellas.

Artist drawings revealing a new bar proposed for Crystalbrook Riley on the Cairns Esplanade. Picture: Supplied
Artist drawings revealing a new bar proposed for Crystalbrook Riley on the Cairns Esplanade. Picture: Supplied

According to documents lodged with council GAG Tradewinds (Cairns) Property Company plans to renovate the existing Greenfield bar through a minor change approval request.

Altering the bar layout and adding a back-of-house kitchen and stewarding has been proposed for the area under the tower of the five star hotel that first opened in November 2018.

“More notably is the addition of the operable facade to enclose the bar space adding both a level of privacy and some protection from the elements,” the development application reads.

GAG Tradewinds Property Company has applied to Cairns Regional Council for permission to renovate Crystalbrook Riley. Picture: Supplied
GAG Tradewinds Property Company has applied to Cairns Regional Council for permission to renovate Crystalbrook Riley. Picture: Supplied

“This change has been sought to allow for appropriate weatherproofing and airconditioning and to reduce the wind tunnel effect that the bar currently experiences.”

The application also mentions the addition of “warm materials, greenery and light being injected into the area, to achieve a tropical atmosphere”.

An artist’s impression of the finished renovation at Riley Crystalbrook. Picture: Supplied
An artist’s impression of the finished renovation at Riley Crystalbrook. Picture: Supplied

The demolition and renovation works to the ground floor area according to the development application will alter the bar layout and allow the addition of an operable facade to sleeve the bar and improve the view of the venue from the Esplanade.

No increases in floor area or footpath dining area are proposed.

Artist renders show an island-themed bar proposed for Crystalbrook Riley. Picture: Supplied
Artist renders show an island-themed bar proposed for Crystalbrook Riley. Picture: Supplied

During pre-lodgement back and forward between council planners and Urban Sync it was accepted the refurbishment “appeared” to meet the minor change criteria.

Crystalbrook Riley was the first of the three Crystalbrook hotels, owned by Syrian entrepreneur Ghassan Aboud, to open in the Cairns CBD and is complemented by sister hotels Bailey and Flynn.

peter.carruthers@news.com.au

Originally published as New island-themed bar proposed for Cairns Esplanade hotel

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/cairns/new-islandthemed-bar-proposed-for-cairns-esplanade-hotel/news-story/02bb3787ff0b641731e2c50332570297