Iconic Gympie landmark The Royal in transformation

The new owners of an iconic Gympie hotel and pub that was torn apart in the 2022 floods are taking a punt on its future with renovations already underway.

The Royal Hotel in Gympie has been sold and is under renovation. Photo: Christine Schindler

The Royal Hotel in Mary St is as resilient as the town of Gympie it seems and has finally found a comeback.

When floodwaters almost 23 metres high washed through the ground floor in 2022, the iconic building was gutted and left waiting for new owners to bring it some tender loving care.

Perhaps this is the start of bringing more life back into Mary St with twinklings of places opening up such as The Dolly and Oats.

The Royal Hotel was sold to Brad Hall on February 7, 2023 through Professionals.

It was known as the Exchange Hotel and Varieties Theatre when built in 1868.

It also seems The Gympie Times and The Royal Hotel come full circle in their relationship almost 150 years later.

In 1868, the then newly established local paper The Gympie Times ran an advertisement that year extolling the virtues of the venue where “every comfort and delight” could be found.

Rick Hall, Mr Hall’s father, overseeing the construction and transformation of The Royal, gave The Gympie Times a quick tour of the place.

The Royal Hotel in Gympie has been sold and is under renovation. Photo: Christine Schindler

“There’s no other accommodation in town,” Mr Hall pointed out.

He wasn’t able to confirm what exactly will be downstairs and said they are still weighing up the options about whether or not to renew the licensing.

“It’s going to flood again,” Mr Hall said.

The Royal Hotel is under renovation but it remains unclear what will become of the ground floor. Photo: Christine Schindler

“Best to come back in three weeks, we’ll know more.”

Brad Hall was stuck in Sydney due to Covid, and Mr Hall said he manages budget accommodation all over Australia.

They also own The Channon Street Apartments.

The Royal Hotel in Gympie has been sold and is under renovation. Photo: Christine Schindler

Mr Hall, a builder by trade, although retired and at 84, still gets pulled into renovation and construction works.

While Gympie waits with bated breath for news of what is to come on the ground floor, rumours abound – will it be a wine bar or a shopfront?

Originally published as Iconic Gympie landmark The Royal in transformation