Richlister Family Pitches Brisbane Pub-to-Office Scheme

It was a grand old dame of Brisbane pubs and now plans have been filed for its revival. Albeit, as an office building. But as part of the proposed adaptive reuse of South Brisbane’s historic former Coronation Hotel a new bar and dining area are also planned. The Murphy Family Office—led by low-profile Queensland richlister Robin Murphy and his sons, Rory, Adrian and Daniel—is behind the proposal. At the corner of Montague Road and Hope Street, the landmark building has survived for 134 years despite flooding, fire and the encroachment of towering urban renewal. Not only that—much of its late Victorian era design finery is still intact. According to a submitted planning report, however, the building “requires extensive restoration and upgrade generally”. “The proposed development is for the refurbishment of the former Coronation Hotel into an office building,” it said. Under the scheme designed by architecture firm Bureau Proberts, modifications “varied in scope” would be undertaken to the historic hotel site, which was heritage listed in 1993. ▲ A render of the proposed renovation and adaptive reuse of the former Coronation Hotel. “Careful consideration has been given to the heritage values of the existing built form, and these have been restored, retained and enhanced wherever possible, while undertaking the minimum demolition works necessary to open up several of the internal spaces for greater utility as part of the proposed land use,” the report said. “The proposed development is intended to refurbish the ageing structure, refreshing, reinforcing and restoring the building to its former glory as a significant statement of state heritage, within a part of Brisbane that is anticipated to undergo significant change within the next decade as nearby large-scale industrial uses vacate the area.” The two-storey watering hole—designed by Queensland colonial architect Francis Drummond Greville Stanley—was built in 1891, back when the 1003sq m site was surrounded by workshops, factories, wharves, a brewery and a brothel. In 1893, the newly built pub was severely damaged by floodwaters with its verandas swept downriver. Again, record floods inundated the hotel in 1974. Originally known as the Montague Hotel, it was renamed the Coronation Hotel in celebration of the late Queen Elizabeth II’s ascension to the throne in 1953. The building was operated continuously as a hotel by various licensees until 1987. Over the years, a number of repairs, extensions and other additions have been undertaken, including a concrete “pillbox” air-raid bomb shelter built in the rear courtyard during World War II. ▲ The heritage-listed building has weathered its share of record floods, including one in 1893 (left top) that swept its verandas downriver and another in 1974. “A period of general dereliction and a resulting fire internally seem to have caused some damage in the 1990s, which was repaired in an extensive restoration effort by the early 2000s,” the documents said. The Murphy family’s proposed pub-to-office renovation and redevelopment includes the demolition of outbuildings, extensions and contemporary additions to the hotel and service building, alteration and adaption of a range of the internal areas of the hotel, service wing and air-raid shelter and construction of extensions and interiors, including adding a lift and other amenities. Overall, the scheme is designed “to bring the site in line with the requirements for modern offices”. However, the family’s application noted: “They also plan to overhaul the bar and venue space for a new bar and dining area”. The removal of a section of the air-raid shelter’s western wall is proposed, opening up the space for reuse as an outdoor bar, while retaining its historical interpretation and connection to the hotel site. ▲ The air raid shelter built at the rear of the former pub as a wartime measure. As well, a new kitchen and dining area would replace the existing ablutions block and the plans also include a new rooftop terrace “Along with these works, there will be a general intention to make good works and make general repairs to damaged and dilapidated features of the hotel generally,” the planning documents said. A heritage impact assessment deemed the proposal would have “negligible to nil” impacts on the building from a heritage significance perspective. “The Coronation Hotel requires careful supervision to ensure the integrity of its heritage values are appropriately maintained for future generations,” it said. “Appropriate management measures have been proposed, in recognition of the works and their interaction within the vicinity of significant elements. “The hotel will receive a substantial restoration, including conservation of early elements of the place … [and] the works will facilitate the continued use of the building and provide improved facilities for its users.” ▲ Renders of the proposed renovations and modifications to 48 Montague Road, South Brisbane, including a new rooftop terrace (top right). The Yeerongpilly-based Murphy Family Office has extensive property holdings. Its wealth has come from the family’s construction and facilities management business, Canstruct, which was founded by patriarch Robin Murphy and is now run by his sons. Its projects included mining camps and the $1.6 billion facilities at Nauru Detention Centre, which it was also contracted to run for the Australian Government. In 2004, the Murphy’s also acquired Force 10, an engineering and construction company specialising in modular building.

Richlister Family Pitches Brisbane Pub-to-Office Scheme

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