Sydney-based Solotel has put the spectacular Little Big House, former Collins Place treasure, to market amid major changes in hospitality.
The heritage-listed Collins Place structure, built 1889, was the cornerstone of the $600 million Southpoint development in 2017.
The classic two-storey Queenslander was a residential home until 1984, then used as a restaurant during Brisbane’s Expo ’88 and later repurposed as a police station.
Perched high on Grey St, directly next to the South Bank train station, it was raised the height of several storeys as the Southpoint project was constructed beside, behind and below it.
A bid for the hotel operation was won by Bruce Solomon’s Solotel in partnership with Matt Moran early 2017, with a grand opening of Little Big House (LBH) following in December.
The new hotel operation, holding 500 patrons, offered a large variety of intimate indoor and outdoor spaces across multiple levels, a footprint of 365sqm internal and 160sqm external decorated with lush greenery above black and white tile or timber floors.
Solomon described the vibe as a feeling of being entertained in a rambling private house, with a “lived-in, casual feeling”.
The LBH has not resumed trading since the pandemic shutdown, and Solotel is offering sale of the leasehold interest with 17 years remaining, including a 10-year option, and no personal guarantees.
Marketing literature cites weekly revenue of more than $70k through the food and beverage operation, and suggests the $3 million fit out will mean limited CAPEX requirement on entry.
Solotel declined to comment on the sale, suggesting it was simply a decision to divest the business.
CBRE Hotels’ Paul Fraser has been appointed to market the operation, being sold via Private Treaty.
