Smitham Hotel Group has taken on the prized Queensport Tavern near Brisbane, bringing plans to capitalise on both its attributes and history.
Around 11 kilometres north-east of the Brisbane CBD, Hemmant is primarily an industrial suburb supporting Port of Brisbane activities, earning it the moniker of ‘Gateway to the Port of Brisbane and Fisherman Island’.
Beyond the local resident base of nearly 3K people, the Tavern draws from the surrounding suburbs of Wynnum West, Wynnum North, Tingalpa and Murarrie, occupying a large high-exposure site of 6,737sqm, with more than 127 metres of frontage.
A key feature of the structure is the historic double-storey section built circa 1890, designed by respected early Brisbane architect Charles McLay.
The business incorporates public bar and bistro, gaming with 20 machines, and 26 spacious motel units that secured over 92 per cent occupancy for the second half of 2024. There is a drive-through and three satellite bottleshops attached to the licence.
There is also an approved DA on the site for a further 14 motel units.
In 2019 Michael Toomey forged a return to the industry with purchase of the Tavern, vowing to maintain its legacy as the “country pub in the city”.
After another six years on the job, including navigating a pandemic, Toomey determined to pass the baton.
The beginning of September brought settlement on the Tavern, with Smitham Hotels P/L paying circa $13.5 million for the freehold going concern.
Smitham is headed by two longstanding Brisbane bayside locals, who also hold the Waterloo Bay Hotel at Wynnum.
The group was drawn to the industrial nature of the Hemmant precinct and the Tavern’s accommodation offering.
The Waterloo was reportedly renovated “over time” and MD Justin Ham says they intend to settle in and see what’s needed before investing some capital into the Queensport, with a view to “bring it back to its glory days”.
The off-market campaign through Power Jeffrey & Co’s Andy Nason is said to have attracted six serious potential buyers, with the generous landholding and SEQ gaming authorities making it an “asset rich acquisition”.
“The Queensport Tavern is a hotel that has stood the test of time, having serviced the Brisbane Portside hub of Hemmant, Lytton and Fisherman Island for over 130 years,” says Nason.
“I have every confidence in its future direction given the buyer’s combined level of experience and local knowledge.”
