Local residents are being called upon to have their say regarding plans to redevelop the Victory Hotel, which is considered as the oldest surviving hotel in the CBD.
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Plans
The redevelopment plans, prepared by architects bureau^proberts and interior designers S.Shyne include:
- A sports bar
- An expanded beer garden
- A rooftop beer garden
- A steakhouse
- A gambling room
Plans include expanding the basement to house new front-of-house activities such as a gaming room, bar, and lounge. The ground floor will see a reconfiguration of existing bars and gaming areas, largely retaining the current building envelope and entries, with a small extension of the beer garden improving connectivity via Edward Street.
Level One is set to be transformed into an open-plan bar and dining area with kitchen facilities, while former office spaces will be converted into private dining and function areas.
These proposed additions have sparked debates among residents about balancing modernisation with historical preservation.
However, planners stated that the works are intended to “balance the heritage values attributed to the historic Victory Hotel with creating more functional/usable areas within the building.”
The refurbishment is planned in two stages:
- Stage 1A: Refurbishing most areas of the existing hotel and beer garden.
- Stage 1B: Creating a contemporary pedestrian entry and upgrading the beer garden area.
If approved, the redevelopment of Victory Hotel would start in early 2025.
Locals’ Concerns
So far, around four submissions have been lodged opposing these plans, with all of them specifically citing concerns about the proposed rooftop bars. One resident expressed strong concerns about the potential impact on the neighbourhood, stating, “This will cause huge stress and issues for residents with noise.”
The resident, who lives close to the hotel, wrote: “ The acoustics in the high-rise CBD residential apartments must be considered for noise and impacts. Please do not allow any rooftop venues where residents be disturbed.”
In response to potential noise concerns, a noise impact assessment by the developers recommends that “sound limiting devices to all amplified music systems be fitted and/or retained to control noise emission.”
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Meanwhile, residents have until October 10 to submit their feedback on the proposed redevelopment. Those wishing to participate in the decision-making process can visit the BCC website to lodge their submissions before the deadline.
Published 5-October-2024
