Toowoomba’s Spotted Cow Hotel to undergo top-floor revamp by owner Hallmark Group

The owner of one of Toowoomba’s most famous pubs has unveiled plans to create an ambitious space on the top floor of the venue. Check out the designs here:

One of Toowoomba’s most iconic pubs will have its top-floor converted into a beautiful function space and upstairs bar, according to new plans.

Hallmark Group has lodged a proposal with the council to gut the first floor of the Spotted Cow Hotel on the corner of Ruthven and Campbell Streets in Toowoomba City ahead of a major transformation.

It comes two years after the Brisbane company paid $2.12m for the freehold venue and car park, before spending $1.5m on a massive renovation to the exterior and ground floor.

According to the planning report by Pendergast Architects, the redevelopment would remove the accommodation and other amenities on the top floor to make way for the bar.

“The proposed works to create an upper level function roof for the Spotted Cow will convert the previous cellular accommodation and office spaces into an open plan function room with bar, satellite kitchen and seated/standing function space,” the report said.

PROPOSED: Hallmark Group has lodged plans with the Toowoomba council to convert the top floor of the Spotted Cow Hotel into a bar and function space.

“Proposed (works include) a refurbished internal stair, retaining original timber elements in situ with new applied paint finishes, new double leaf door at top of stair to secure room when not in use, new scullery and kitchen within location of the existing shared kitchen space, new open “Bar” including lowered bulkhead and applied floor finish, new amenities fit-out within existing amenities structural footprint (and) new light fittings and associated penetrations.”

The report said the works would not alter the exterior of the pub, and many elements of the original top floor would be retained.

“There will be no external streetscape change to the place from the proposed works,” it said.

“The internal vertical circulation will also remain unchanged.

“There is a mix of original and altered internal partitions upstairs, most are original and are very intact.

“The upper levels of this building have been largelyuntouched for sometime and the works proposed will re-finish existing window and doors retained, aiding in the places conservation.

“The original fireplaces will be retained and made into features of the new function room layouts.”

While she didn’t comment on the proposal directly, respected heritage architect Stephanie Keays said historic hotels like the Spotted Cow (which was previously known as the Luckona) posed challenges for new owners.

“It’s always challenging to find appropriate uses for heritage properties,” she said.

“Those hotels were designed with accommodation upstairs and accommodation has really changed.”