Major expansion proposed for 1880s pub

A heritage-listed hotel with a history dating back 140 years could be “reinvigorated” with a major expansion tabled for the site.

First established in 1882 during the region’s Cobb and Co era, the iconic pub has become a landmark for the town of Tewantin.

While the original building burnt down in 1939, it was rebuilt in 1941 and over the years has seen additions, including an extension to the dining room in the 1990s.

Now a beer garden and outdoor dining area are being proposed for the Royal Mail Hotel as part of an extensive upgrade.

A development application has been submitted to Noosa Council by Urbis on behalf of its client Queensland Venue Co.

The application seeks for an extension to the hotel, to realign the boundary and obtain a permit for demolition works in the heritage overlay.

The Royal Mail Hotel is listed on Noosa’s Local Heritage Register and located on the corner of Poinciana Avenue and Diyan Street, Tewantin.

The 7348sqm site is currently occupied by the hotel and a Liquorland store.

According to documentation, the proposed development involves an extension to the existing hotel with the addition of a deck and beer garden at the northern and southern section of the site.

It would be directly accessible from indoor areas to respond to patron demand for outdoor areas.

“The Royal Mail Hotel is a popular heritage-listed hotel in Tewantin,” the application stated.

“The Hotel is proposing several changes to reinvigorate the venue including new outdoor areas which celebrates the sub tropicality of the location.

“The proposal involves establishing a beer garden adjacent to the southern frontage of the Hotel, and at the northern section of the building in place of the existing Liquorland and the relocation of the existing Liquorland store to the north-western section of the site.”

The application stated “partial demolition” works were necessary, including to the floor, walls and roof structure within the northern dining area.

An extension at the front of the building to Poinciana Avenue, added in the 1990s, would also be demolished.

“These demolition activities are crucial to facilitate the desired changes while also ensuring the preservation of the heritage elements of the Royal Mail Hotel.

“In addition … the proposed beer garden extension requires the full demolition and removal of the existing Liquorland tenancy fronting Diyan Street at the eastern section of the site.

“The current Liquorland store will be relocated to a newly constructed building situated in the north-western section of the site.”

The extension will take the hotel from 1431m2 to 2434m2, which includes the 792m2 northern beer garden and 164m2 southern beer garden.

The Liquorland will be reduced from 535m2 to 343m2 and there will be 53 car parks on site.

As part of its Heritage Impact Assessment, Urbis outlined the changes would not alter the “significant fabric” of the building.

“The main elements of significant fabric of the place (the external elevations, many of the timber framed windows and doors, many of the internal masonry walls, the timber staircase and the ceilings to the first floor) will not be compromised or affected by the proposed development.

“The building has been adapted many times in the past and this next iteration of work will not greatly compromise the significance of the site, or its significant fabric.

“Some internal fabric elements will be demolished but this has been minimised where possible in discussion with the architects for the scheme and the applicant.”

While it is listed on the local heritage register, the Royal Mail Hotel is not entered in the Queensland Heritage Register as a State Heritage Place.

As part of the application process a public notification period will be undertaken, at a yet to be determined date.

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