Plans to turn a former courthouse in the centre of Ipswich into a 147-room hotel have been given the green light by Ipswich City Council.
Newground Ipswich Hotel Pty Ltd applied to redevelop the building at 59 East Street into short stay accommodation, including restaurant and function areas.
The three-storey building has been vacant for several years.
The site fronts East Street, Limestone Street and Foote Lane and adjoins Market Square Park.
Ipswich Deputy Mayor Marnie Doyle said council and the community wanted to see the vacant building activated.
“Our CBD is undergoing a once-in-a-generation transformation and the community would love to see this space, which has been vacant for several years now, reactivated,” Cr Doyle said.
“The developer intends to refurbish both the interior and exterior of the building, reinstating its presence as a key corner site in the Ipswich CBD.”
In its application to council, Newground Ipswich Hotel Pty Ltd outlined plans to maintain the L building shape and re-engage with Market Square Park.
“The ground floor features the most amount of a change as part of this proposal from the original fabric,” the application noted.
“The entry to the building is (to be) realigned to create a main entrance from Foote Lane.
“This includes the introduction of a set down area at the frontage of the site, an awning extending to the property boundary, new main steps and ramp into the building.
“Further to the reoriented entry, the ground floor restaurant and bar area are oriented to address Market Square, and are complemented through the introduction of a deck and timber arbour that extends to the property boundary”
Have to scratch my head at this. Whilst I applaud an outcome for this ugly eyesore, what I am confused about is this. We turn a purpose built hotel into an aged care centre now we going to make a hotel out of a courthouse?