Property investor wants to restore one of Townsville’s historic pubs

One of Townsville’s historic pubs is to be saved from a gradual fall into the dust from which it rose more than a 100 years ago.

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ONE of Townsville’s historic pubs is to be saved from a gradual fall into the dust from which it rose more than a 100 years ago.

Property investor Brodie Jankovic has entered into a contract to buy the hotel, previously known as the Empire before being renamed the Republic in the lead up to the unsuccessful referendum to remove the Queen as our head of state.

The pub in McIlwraith St has since fallen on hard times and has been closed for around 20 years.

Mr Jankovic said he was “dreading” the task ahead but wanted the building saved.

He said it was structurally sound but needed a lot of work, including to its interior and second level veranda.

“I have been driving past it for so many years and it pained me watching it fall to pieces,” Mr Jankovic said.

“I will try and rejuvenate it over time and save the place from falling down.”

Ray White Commercial Townsville director Troy Townsend said the property was virtually exactly the same as another beautiful two-storey brick pub, the Commonwealth Hotel, in nearby Allen St which has been rejuvenated under new operators.

According to Townsville City Council’s heritage trail, the Republic is a “twin” to the Commonwealth, built in the same year – 1901 – designed by the same architect, Tunbridge, Tunbridge and Lynch.

“It has attracted a lot of attention over the years we have had it listed for sale. There have been endless inquiries. It was just a matter of finding someone with enough belief in this project,” Mr Townsend said.

He said an elderly couple from South East Queensland owned the hotel and had obtained a development approval for a redevelopment including an adjoining 12-level building but did not proceed.

The whole site includes a 2024 sqm property and the hotel has about 1000 sqm of floorspace, including 20 boarding rooms on the second floor.

Mr Jankovic said it was at the point where, if something were not done, it would become unrestorable.

While he would not do the work, he said he liked old buildings and renovating timber houses.

“I’m just going to fix it and let the universe play its part,” Mr Jankovic said.

“I just want to find a balance between keeping as it is and it being feasible.”

He wanted to “do enough” to save it and entice someone to put it to use.

According to the council’s heritage trail, the hotel, as reflected in its relatively simple federation style design, was built to cater to the needs of the suburb’s working class people.

Given the passage of time, finding the materials for its rejuvenation might not be so simple.

Originally published as Property investor wants to restore one of Townsville’s historic pubs