Toowoomba CBD site of Lake Hotel on Ruthven Street hits market through York Realty

A Toowoomba CBD parcel that once hosted one of the city’s most infamous watering holes could be snapped up by a developer after hitting the market for $900,000.

The site where one of Toowoomba’s most famous pubs used to stand near the centre of the city has hit the market with a six-figure price tag.

The 800 sqm parcel on Ruthven Street in Toowoomba City, which used to be home to the old Lake Hotel, has been listed for sale for $900,000 through York Realty.

A popular and sometimes-notorious watering hole in its day, the Lake Hotel earned its name from a mid-1800s plan to create a lake at the junction of East and West Creeks in the CBD.

It became a top venue for Australia’s best touring bands, hosting artists like Powderfinger, Rose Tattoo, Hoodoo Gurus, Paul Kelly and You Am I during the 80s and 90s.

The site of where the old Lake Hotel used to stand on Ruthven Street in the Toowoomba CBD has hit the market through York Realty. Photos by Matt Edwards Photography

Nothing remains of the pub, which lead agent Josh Haydock said made the site a “blank canvas” for a savvy developer.

“The owner is a local person and he’s open to seeing what people would like to offer, but he’s motivated to sell,” he said.

Mr Haydock said the Toowoomba Regional Council had indicated it would like to see a mix of uses on the site, possibly stretching several stories in height.

The site of where the old Lake Hotel used to stand on Ruthven Street in the Toowoomba CBD has hit the market through York Realty. Photos by Matt Edwards Photography

“The possibility of six storeys or greater is within reach upon council review and approval,” he said.

“There are suggestions for a multi-use building incorporating residential living above commercial spaces and may include bars or cafes and/or office space.”

The location is near the Railway Parklands priority development area and just up from the intersection of Ruthven Street and Chalk Drive.