An historic hinterland pub that is 111 years old and once boasted the ‘best meals on the North Coast’ is for sale — ghosts and all.
The Eumundi Imperial Hotel, built in 1911 and now home to the Eumundi Brewery, has been at the heart of the town since the days when thirsty jackaroos drove bullocks through.
The live music and pub-dining business has been placed on the market with its adjoining boutique hotel HOLA for an undisclosed amount amid whispers they could fetch more than $20 million.
The Imperial Hotel and newly opened HOLA bespoke accommodation are being offered for sale by HTL Property via an international Expressions of Interest campaign.
They are situated on a 5581sqm block fronting Etheridge Street and Memorial Drive and opposite the popular Eumundi Markets.
The vibrant corner of town is the heart of live music and is also known for its craft beers and other seasonal tipples, with a menu of pub favourites and foodie dishes.
The precinct features “seven revenue streams” which include the traditional Queenslander-style pub, modern accommodation and the Eumundi Brewery and Eumundi Distillery.
The hotel’s rich history dates back to the earliest days of settlement on the Sunshine Coast when it was founded by Ransome Jefferies in 1910-1911 and later run by three McIntyre sisters.
It became the meeting place for thirsty jackaroos and remained the focal point of the town for much of the century.
In 1926, fire destroyed the hotel and it was rebuilt the following year and advertised as a newly built hotel with first-class accommodation, garage and stabling and “the best meals on the North Coast”.
One spooky story of the past recalls how a newlywed couple booked into Room 6 for their wedding night and were never seen again.
“By morning they had mysteriously vanished and all that was left in the room was the wedding gown and the groom’s size 10 boots,” states the pub’s website.
“(Their) ghostly presence has been felt by many throughout the years.”
In 1988, Eumundi Lager was born, but brewing of the brands ceased in 2004.
The craft beer was revived in 2017 in a new partnership with major company Lion which launched the new Eumundi Brewery Lager and Eumundi Brewery Pale Ale.
The boutique hotel HOLA, which is also for sale, opened its doors late last year and is described as an eco-friendly contemporary chic accommodation with 15 rooms, each with its own collection of local art.
The name HOLA stands for ‘House of Local Art’, has 45 original artworks hanging on the walls, more than 100 ceramic pieces and 12 impressive sculptures.
HOLA is split over two levels with two buildings set on either side of a tropical courtyard and pavilion.
The rooms are contemporary chic with a “Eumundi laid-back spirit”, featuring timber furniture, natural linen soft furnishings, bamboo and cotton throws.
HTL property director Andrew Jolliffe said the consistent trade of the multiple businesses would make it a great investment.
“The sheer scale and multi-revenue centre complexion of this offering reminds us of the way the Ivy and The Coogee Bay Hotel speak to numerous market segments in one location,” he said.
“Being so close to Noosa and enjoying a role as the focal point around which the hinterland communities orbit, means the business enjoys very consistent trade over an elongated period of time; as distinct from being restricted to a concentrated day or two a week.”
HTL director Glenn Price said it was a well-known as a family friendly venue which offered live entertainment in the its three beer garden performances every week, as well as headline acts in the designated gig space.
HTL property director, Brent McCarthy said boutique and experiential accommodation like HOLA were highly sought since travel restrictions were eased by state governments.
“HOLA’s quality and positioning enjoys favourable comparison with Rae’s at Wategos, Surf at Yamba or Halcyon House at Cabarita Beach,” he said.
