victory hotel Archives - Fortitude Valley News

51-Storey Hotel Tower Proposed Above Victory Hotel Site In Brisbane CBD

A 51-storey hotel tower has been proposed for the Victory Hotel site in Brisbane’s CBD, with planning documents indicating the venue’s street-level beer garden would be built over as part of the redevelopment.

A Heritage Pub Site Facing Major Change

The development application seeks approval for a 284-room hotel tower positioned behind and above the locally heritage-listed Victory Hotel at the corner of Edward and Charlotte streets. The pub has operated on the site since 1855.

Plans described in the application indicate the tower would be constructed over the existing Charlotte Street-facing beer garden, changing how the ground-level venue operates.

Victory Hotel tower — *Photo Credit: DA/A006934633*

Reverse Podium Design And Tower Form

Architecture firm Bureau Proberts has proposed a reverse or “negative space” podium arrangement, intended to maintain the visual prominence of the heritage pub at street level. The tower would be located toward the rear corner of the 924-square-metre site, with higher levels cantilevered from level six upwards.

Material submitted with the application states the form is designed to maintain views toward the Victory Hotel and the adjacent state heritage-listed Metro Arts building.

Brisbane CBD development — *Photo Credit: DA/A006934633*

Uses, Levels And Site Coverage

The proposal includes hotel rooms, bars and dining venues, function spaces, a gym and wellness facilities, along with multiple rooftop areas. A rooftop bar is proposed on level 50, and a pool deck and day spa are proposed at level 38.

The tower is proposed to rise to about 206.6 metres and would cover around 50.3 per cent of the site, exceeding the 45 per cent site cover referenced under planning controls. Onsite car parking is not proposed.

Edward Street hotel tower — *Photo Credit: DA/A006934633*

Assessment And Next Steps

Due to its scale and site cover, the application is impact assessable and subject to public notification and assessment by Brisbane City Council. Separate approved refurbishment works for the pub are set to start in the second quarter of 2026, while the tower is planned for completion before 2032, subject to approvals.

Published 14-Jan-2026

Locals Invited to Weigh In on Victory Hotel Redevelopment

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.

Read: Illuminated Tower to Reshape Fortitude Valley Skyline

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.”

Read: Boutique Hotel and Overwater Pool Planned for Howard Smith Wharves Transformation

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

Oldest Brisbane Pub Victory Hotel Set for Major Transformation

Photo Credit: Development.i / Application Number: A006435805

The iconic Victory Hotel, Brisbane City’s oldest pub, is poised for a multimillion-dollar transformation. A development application has been submitted, outlining plans to breathe new life into this historic venue, which has been a cornerstone of Brisbane’s CBD since 1885.

The ambitious project, spearheaded by Precision Group, aims to reimagine the Victory Hotel as four distinct venues:

A sports bar and beer garden
A rooftop garden bar
A steak house restaurant
A basement ‘speakeasy’ style bar with a gaming room

Architects bureau^proberts and interior designers S.Shyne are at the helm of this redevelopment, working in close collaboration with renowned heritage architect Ruth Woods to ensure the plans honour the site’s rich history.

Liam Proberts, Managing and Creative Director of bureau^proberts, emphasised the importance of preserving the hotel’s legacy while adapting to modern needs. “The Victory has lived through many eras, including the 1980s boom of the beer garden, and has been able to maintain its reputation as one of the most popular places in Brisbane because of its adaptability and prime location in the CBD,” Proberts stated.

The redevelopment plans include innovative features that will showcase the building’s original structure. Dan Liddy, Lead Designer at bureau^proberts, highlighted that patrons will be able to appreciate the hotel’s historic elements while enjoying Brisbane’s outdoor climate from the beer garden or rooftop bar.

Precision Group Leasing Executive Rory O’Brien expressed excitement about the project’s potential to elevate the Victory Hotel into a “world-class destination” that will attract visitors from across Australia and internationally.

The refurbishment is expected to play a crucial role in the ongoing evolution of Brisbane’s CBD, complementing other major developments in the area such as the transformation of Eagle Street Pier, Queen’s Wharf precinct, and Howard Smith Wharves.

Athena Hospitality Group, led by founder Michael Dixon, has secured a long-term lease on the Victory Hotel and is partnering with Precision Group on the redevelopment. Dixon emphasised their commitment to creating an “amazing venue that tells a story over numerous levels” while respecting the hotel’s heritage.

The project also underscores Precision Group’s broader investment in Brisbane’s CBD. The company has recently completed a $45 million refurbishment of the adjacent office tower at 144 Edward Street, which now boasts a 5.5-Star Nabers Rating and has introduced new dining options to the area.

Subject to approvals, work on the Victory Hotel redevelopment is expected to commence in early 2025.

Published 2-October-2024