Queensland’s ‘grand old dame’ the Grand View Hotel has reopened its doors after an extensive sympathetic renovation by Kickon Group.
The Grand View (GVH) overlooks North Stradbroke Island, from the Brisbane beachside suburb of Cleveland.
Established 1851, it is recognised as one of the oldest hotels in continuous use in Queensland, embodying the seaside persona through its sand-coloured brick and timber facade, lace iron balustrades and tin roof, with palm trees lining the footpath.
Craig Shearer’s group bought the operation in 2022, hinting of plans for a multi-million-dollar renovation.
Kickon sculpts each of its venues to their individual needs. Reopening last week from a 16-month refurbishment, Shearer offers that the project reflects both its “legacy and future”.
“The transformation is not just a facelift, it’s a safeguard for one of Queensland’s most historic venues, ensuring it remains a cornerstone of the community and a place where new memories continue to be made,” says the group CEO and founder.
Wielding a proud 174-year history, the update prioritised retaining the venue’s cherished charm and from the front, little appears to have changed, and the heritage-listed hallway and Cleveland Room remain untouched.
Works on the site unearthed an antique cistern that once featured in a 1855 advertisement for Cleveland House. This rediscovered vessel was swiftly adopted as a centrepiece of the renovation, providing a real connection to the hotel’s 19th-century roots.
The new-look GVH, with capacity for more than 1,000 guests, features upgraded spaces and facilities, including live sports on a large outdoor screen, a kid’s play area, TAB and Keno, and a new gaming room that comes online next week.
A new purpose-built function marquee can accommodate up to 150 guests for a cocktail-style event, adding to an upper dining terrace and expansive pet-friendly lawn, with a dedicated bar, pergola and modern pale timber furniture for spacious outdoor seating by the bay.
These provide flexible areas that add to the GVH’s capacity for events ranging from casual dining to major occasions.
Foodservice comes courtesy of a new multimillion-dollar state-of-the-art kitchen, featuring what is thought to be Australia’s largest rotisserie oven, a Josper rotisserie grill, and an Italian rotary pizza oven, to deliver high-quality charcoal-grilled steaks and roasted rotisserie meats, authentic wood-fired pizzas, fresh seafood and elevated pub classics – quickly and consistently.
Not to be left behind, the drinks menu draws from a new cutting-edge beer system delivering to an expanded 48 taps, and a cocktails list tempting with eight signature and classic creations.
An official launch party in November is already sold out as locals flock in, and the Group notes many former GVH staff members also returning to the team.
“The Grand View isn’t just a pub – it’s a part of Queensland’s story, and we’re proud to keep that story alive for generations to come,” states Shearer.
