Jaz Mooney’s Pelathon Management Group has revealed its big-budget revival of Brisbane’s historic Normanby Hotel, taking the heritage-listed footy pub ‘back to its roots’.
Built 1890, the Normanby embodies the history of Brisbane, in its growth and prosperity. It is a multi-level structure on a big 3,683sqm block at Red Hill’s ‘Fiveways’ intersection, close to what is now Queensland’s home of football, Suncorp Stadium.
In the 1940s the Normanby Hounds Rugby Club was formed, adopting the pub as its clubhouse for decades. In 1992 it was welcomed into Queensland’s Heritage Register.
In 1999 it was bought by business partners Michael Dempsey and Otto Wilhelm, executing a large-scale renovation in 2003. The business became famous for its rowdy ‘Sunday Sessions’ and association with Queensland footballer antics.
After a decade and a half of party the old girl was looking pretty tired, and noting its potential and the scale of projects in the area, the owners put the freehold going concern to market.
In May Mooney emerged as the winning bidder, securing a deal through CBRE for a lease of two years, with option to buy the title.
He announced plans to immediately close for a four-month overhaul, citing “a full refurb top to bottom”.
Last weekend the Normanby officially reopened, Pelathon championing a return to all-day dining, sporting events, functions, and “great service” as the Hotel works diligently to rebuild its character and prominence in the community.
The $3 million redevelopment brings a host of revised features, including a new-look beer garden with massive 20sqm screen, and The Hounds Lounge on the upper floor – a tribute to the former club, decorated in team colours red and white, with walls displaying their proud history. The gaming room has also been relocated to the stand-alone structure at the site’s rear, formerly used as a restaurant.
The spacious split-level outdoor area was dominated by a large 100-year-old fig tree until it was brought down in a storm in 2016. A new tree has been planted, symbolising the Normanby’s “return to its roots”.
“We identified an opportunity for The Normanby Hotel to reinstate itself as one of Brisbane’s most iconic landmarks,” says Mooney.
“The entire building has been stripped back and redeveloped while being respectful to its heritage listing and original character.
“Everything from the branding and bars through to the beer gardens has been thoughtfully re-designed to create an experience the community will love.”
Citing “old-fashioned value” and a desire to welcome the community, Pelathon has also adopted a loyalty system for nearby residents, called the Locals’ Black Card.
The project was managed by Winchester Group, working closely with architects BSPN.
The final stage, several new function rooms, is due to come online in October. These will be on level three, which historically has rarely been accessible by the public.
“She was an old iconic beauty that has fallen down the pegging,” says Mooney.
“It’s now my duty to put her back to her former glory, so that’s what I’ll do.”
