Ipswich City Council has signed off on the Commonwealth Hotel reconstruction project as part of the $250 million CBD redevelopment.
Council’s Ipswich Central Redevelopment Committee had agreed to the $2.354 million project, and it was passed by full council last week.
The tender was awarded to Built Qld Pty Ltd.
The company will reconstruct the century-old Commonwealth Hotel to “create a safe and attractive streetscape which minimises the expense and risk of maintaining the partially deconstructed building in its present condition”.
The hotel, perhaps better known as the old Murphy’s Town Pub, was taken apart piece by piece and materials stored in a council warehouse ahead of possible reconstruction.
A report to the committee said a lengthy process had involved stabilising the building and deconstructing it to prevent any further deterioration.
“To date approximately $3.5 million has been spent on the Commonwealth Hotel in terms of the underpinning of the site, the demolition and storage of a significant portion of the southern façade and the temporary bracing of the remaining structure,” the report said.
“The Commonwealth Hotel still requires extensive repairs to stabilise and reconstruct the structure and reduce associated risks to site workers and the public.”
Councillors were told that few contractors would have been capable of putting the heritage building back together and that the project would enable to hotel to return to its former glory days.
One prospective tenant had expressed an interest to council in operating the hotel/bar and negotiations would continue during reconstruction.
Committee Chair and Deputy Mayor Marnie Doyle said there had been a lot of community feedback with residents keen to see the structure restored.
“People understand, in Ipswich in particular, the heritage value and importance of these buildings. Certainly the old Murphy’s Town Pub has a lot of significance and sentimental value to myself and others within the community,” Cr Doyle said.
Regarding the overall $6 million cost, Cr Doyle reiterated the building’s heritage value.
“In Ipswich, we have lost so many significant heritage and historical buildings that were victims of the 80s; many beautiful buildings were just bulldozed and replaced with modern structures that are now outdated. I think this is one important win we need in Ipswich to preserve some of our history,” Cr Doyle said.
Reconstruction will take 23 weeks.
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Shame there is such a truly ugly building right next to the old hotel that will detract from the renewed streetscape. I hope the owners of that building will do something to improve the external look of it.