On the heels of Redcape listing two pubs in town, the heritage-listed McGuires Hotel of Mackay is on offer by long-timers for the first time in nearly four decades.
A pub has stood on the site since 1882, but the current structure was built in 1938 by Barney McGuire on 1,559sqm in the commercial heart of the Mackay CBD. It is a stone’s throw from the Mackay waterfront, and surrounded by major shopping centres and Mackay’s Entertainment & Convention Centre.
Designed in the Spanish Mission style, the new Hotel was highly acclaimed as ‘luxury in the north’. It keeps a 2am licence, and with capacity for 800-pax provides seven bars, bistro with street dining, gaming room with 14 machines, a large beer garden with outdoor stage that regularly hosts events and live music, and 23 mixed accommodation rooms.
At the rear of the property is a separate four-bedroom manager’s residence.
The pub once laid claim to a zoo at the rear, named the Belmore Zoological Garden, keeping snakes, kangaroos and even crocodiles, which was said to have been a hit with tourists and American soldiers stationed in the area in World War II.
A later proprietor added a different collection of Australian fauna, such as taxidermized animals and birds, and artefacts from Aboriginal and Papua New Guinean people. These now reside at James Cook University.
Mackay is Queensland’s fourth largest regional city, counting over 125k residents. Found approximately 950 kilometres north of Brisbane, around the mid-point of the Queensland coast, it plays a key role in servicing the broader region.
Under provision for a 10-storey development, McGuire’s holds future development opportunity (STCA).
Frank and Maureen Clancy have owned the treasured local since 1986, buying it from CUB and owner-operating for many years before passing the day-to-day reins to long-time employee Paul Baxter.
Entering a prime market for Queensland coastal real estate, it is likely to fetch sale price north of $3 million.
“McGuires is a fully equipped hotel in the commercial core of Mackay’s city centre,” notes Ray White Commercial’s Craig McVean, marketing the pub with colleague Scott Wells.
“The hotel has been a popular spot for locals and visitors since it was first established, 88 years ago.”
The freehold going concern of McGuires Hotel is being sold via Expressions of Interest, closing Wednesday, 20 September.
