A renowned 112-year-old hotel has new owners who intend on giving it a significant revamp.
The Imperial Hotel at Eumundi was purchased by the Comiskey Group, who added the property to an expanding portfolio of entertainment venues.
The hotel is regarded by many as a Sunshine Coast landmark, located across from Australia’s largest open-air markets, the famous Eumundi Markets.
The sale of the property includes: an on-site distillery; bottle shop drive-thru; a brewery, which is home to Eumundi Brewery; and 15-room boutique accommodation, HOLA.
The double-storey hotel and accommodation are on a 5581sqm corner block.
Group director Rob Comiskey said some changes were coming to the property.
They plan to keep the hotel’s iconic Queenslander façade but will give the venue’s interior a major renovation during the next few months. They also intend to add two new restaurants, a new gaming room and TAB to the hotel, as well as reinvigorate the existing spaces.
“The Imperial Hotel has great street appeal: we want to keep the iconic Queenslander look that it is famous for and bring back the traditional style, acknowledging the hotel’s history,” he said.
“We plan to add new furniture, lighting, and landscaping to really reinvigorate the existing spaces.
“We also look forward to bringing in a new menu and offering that we hope the community will love.”
The group also plans to schedule more events to the hotel’s live band room, showcasing local musicians and international talent.
They will keep the contemporary chic styling of the accommodation rooms but will add facilities to the complex, including a heated pool.
The group opened The Doonan at Doonan in March and purchased 150-hectares of land at Coochin Creek last year, with an application lodged to utilise the property as a large-scale festival and event site.
Group director David Comiskey, who lives on the Sunshine Coast, said he was “excited” for the business to expand to Eumundi.
“The Imperial Hotel is my local, and I have always loved it,” he said.
“Eumundi is a must-see Queensland tourism destination, and we are proud to be able to be a part of its future in more ways than one.”
Meanwhile, Rob looked forward to working with brewing company Lion, which operates the Eumundi Brewery at the on-site brewery.
“Being able to own such an iconic hotel and brewery in such a special community was an unmissable opportunity,” he said.
“The Eumundi Brewery brand is a local treasure, well-known across the state.
“We can’t wait to begin this unique partnership with Lion, combining our differing industry expertise to further build our businesses and support the growth of the brand on a national scale.
“We already have a great relationship with Lion, working with them in a different capacity across our pubs, and so we look forward to seeing what’s to come from joining forces.”
The hotel will be handed over in late October.
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