The owner of a historic hotel has put a proposal to Sunshine Coast Council to build an extension.
Kingcorp Investments, owned by Rob Kingston, has lodged an application for a material change of use to allow construction of an outdoor dining area, beer garden and children’s play area at the Yandina Hotel.
Documents show the single-storey additions would be tucked behind the existing two-storey hotel buildings and would “have an acceptably minimal impact on heritage significance”.
A heritage impact assessment report by Roger Todd Architects described the Yandina Hotel as the most intact of two 19th-century hotels on the Sunshine Coast.
Originally named the Australian Hotel, it was built by John Gustave Sommer on the corner of Fleming and Farrell streets in 1888-89.
After the North Coast Rail Line was put through to Yandina, the hotel was moved to its current site, opposite the railway station, in 1891.
Bullock teams dragged the hotel on rollers and sleds to its new location while drinkers continued to drink at the bar and a baby was born upstairs.
A 1900 hall was added to the hotel for extra traveller accommodation in the 1930s and the hotel was renamed the Yandina Hotel around that time.
Mr Todd’s report says the hotel, railway station and a war memorial form the eastern end of what is considered a character area and, with a School of Arts hall, “bookend” the main street of town.
Mr Todd’s report says that while there have been some alterations to the hotel buildings over the years, the historic form and styling is “well preserved” and they have a “high level of aesthetic appeal”.
The report says the extensions will mean little change to the to the hotel’s appearance when viewed from the character area.
“The new additions do not physically involve the early buildings, and they are screened, such that the critical views from Stevens St have a landscaped backdrop where possible,” it says.
A traffic report says the proposed extension would entail an upgrade of the current carparking layout, increasing the number of spaces from 10 to 15, although this would still be nine short of the number required.
The report suggests the shortfall could be managed on-site, with nearby on-street and railway station parking, and the availability of public transport.
The extension application is yet to be assessed by council.
