Tag: GPO Hotel

The GPO Hotel to Unveil Its Stunning Transformation

Photo Credit: Kgbo, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

The GPO Hotel in Fortitude Valley is getting ready to reopen its doors on 8 July after a massive $9-million transformation.

Read: Multimillion-Dollar Dining Concept Set to Bring New Life to Chinatown in Fortitude Valley

The interior of the GPO Hotel has been completely revamped, creating new and exciting spaces for visitors to enjoy. The upper level will be home to The Gatsby, a luxurious lounge bar with plush velvet booths, elegant leather accents, and stylish brass features. 

The Gatsby offers a sophisticated and upscale atmosphere. One of the highlights is the restored original vault from 1887, now serving as a centrepiece. Alongside a wide array of alcoholic beverages and soulful tunes of saxophones, guests will be treated to a fantastic selection of cocktails. 

The GPO Hotel to Unveil Its Stunning Transformation
Photo Credit: Artesian Hospitality Corp / gatsbylounge.au

But that’s not all! On the ground floor, there awaits a contemporary restaurant known as TAMA. Picture a stunning double-storey atrium adorned with lofty ceilings and expansive windows, allowing the warm glow of natural light to fill the space. Within the captivating retro ambience of TAMA, patrons will have the pleasure of savouring a truly exceptional dining experience.

The GPO Hotel to Unveil Its Stunning Transformation
Photo Credit: Artesian Hospitality Corp / tamadining.au

Executive Chef Richard Ousby, who honed his culinary skills at renowned eateries including the Waterside Inn in England and Quay in Sydney, has prepared an excellent lunch. Guests can experience mouthwatering pasta dishes, hand-selected seafood, and premium meat cuts, including a delicious two-kilogram Angus tomahawk and wagyu scotch fillet prepared to order. 

The extensive wine selection of over 1,000 handpicked bottles, including exclusive vintages, ensures there is something to suit every budget. 

Read: Discover a Slice of Southern California in Fortitude Valley at Viva La Cali

The project successfully blends modern finishes with the building’s original architectural elements, such as exposed beams, brickwork, and the Victorian Italianate facade, preserving its historic charm. 

In the future, the GPO Hotel plans to introduce The Tax Office, a lively venue perfect for post-work drinks and midweek dinners. With an island bar and comfortable lounge-style seating, The Tax Office aims to create a vibrant and welcoming space for patrons to relax and socialise.

Published 28-June-2023

$7-Million Revamp of GPO Hotel to Introduce New Fine Dining Venue in Early 2023

Photo credit: Kgbo, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Expected to reopen in the first quarter of 2023 after its ongoing renovation, the iconic General Post Office building in Fortitude Valley, otherwise known as the GPO Hotel, will soon have a new, ‘fine dining’ venue as part of a $7-million makeover.

Read: St Joseph’s College Unveils Final Masterplan For Major Expansion

Hospitality group Artesian announced that the 135-year-old site will feature a new restaurant once it opens next year. Although details about the upcoming new venue are yet to be revealed, it seems that Executive Chef Richard Ousby and sommelier and former OTTO Brisbane General Manager Alan Hunter will be joining forces to deliver a whole new dining experience to the Brisbane scene.

Ousby was at one time with Michelin three-star Waterside Inn in England and was also a former Sous Chef at Quay Restaurant in Sydney and Executive Chef at Stokehouse restaurants in Melbourne and Brisbane.

Meanwhile, Hunter’s impressive resume includes a Pol Roger 2013 Sommelier of the Year award as well as being part of the OTTO Brisbane team that took home Good Food Guide’s  2019 Wine List of the Year award. 

GPO Hotel was built in 1887 at a 2,000-sqm site located at 740 Ann Street in Fortitude Valley. After operating as a nightclub, it remained idle for two years during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2021, it was sold to an investment arm helmed by Sydney Roosters chairman Nick Politis. Artesian Hospitality later signed a 25-year lease on the multi-building site. 

Read: https://fortitudevalleynews.com.au/st-josephs-college-unveils-final-masterplan-for-major-expansion/

The project comes on the heels of Cali Beach Club’s successful 2021 opening. The new $ 10-million precinct features poolside cabanas, two world-class restaurants, bars, sports facilities, and four large pools.

Artesian’s growing portfolio also includes Surfers Pavilion, White Rhino, Saké Sisters, and Havana RnB.

Also earmarked to be turned into a multi-venue precinct is the Surfers Paradise site, where Cali Beach is also located, and later as Artesian’s new corporate headquarters.