Iconic Fire-damaged Aus Venue Eyes Live Music As Restoration Begins

The heritage-listed, fire-damaged Broadway Hotel in Woolloongabba will reopen following significant developments to the ruined space. 

Last year, the Broadway Hotel was put up for sale - a fire led to destruction throughout the three-storey hotel in 2018. Built in 1889-1890, the Victorian-era building on Logan Road was put through several stop and enforcement orders in 2019 to prevent its demolition.

Tony Moore at The Brisbane Times revealed that Broadway Projects Pty Ltd bought the hotel from the previous owner Malcolm Nyst in 2021 for $8.8 million. The company then liaised with Carbone Developments to renew and restore the beautiful building.

Carbone Developments told The Music that, while it is still early days in regard to the design and planning aspects of the redevelopment, they were hopeful the venue would host original live music, including local artists. 

"As the Minister responsible for heritage, it is my role to ensure important heritage places are protected," Leeanne Enoch, Minister for Environment, Queensland, said in 2018. 

"The hotel is an important part of our city’s story and has been on the Queensland Heritage Register since 1992."

The Broadway Hotel is heritage-listed as it meets Queensland's criteria: the building is essential and demonstrates the evolution and pattern of the state's history - it showcases the development boom that occurred in the 1880s. 

In addition to its importance, the Broadway Hotel illustrates the principal characteristics of the class and cultural place. The venue attracted locals and tourists across the country; family members from interstate would travel and stay at the hotel when in Brisbane. 

Its aesthetic significance adds to its beauty and admiration amongst locals and "makes a strong contribution to the Woolloongabba townscape and to the streetscape along that part of Logan Road," the Queensland Register recalls. 

Lastly, the Broadway Hotel qualifies for the criteria of "a special association with the life or work of a particular person, group or organisation of importance in Queensland's history." The building is strongly attributed to Brisbane architects John Hall & Son and the company's architect John Smith Murdoch, who is credited for much of the design.

We look forward to more updates about the Broadway Hotel!