The West End’s popular Montague Hotel, affectionately known as “The Monty”, has lodged plans for a significant rooftop expansion just a year after changing hands for $20 million.
The proposal involves transforming the top-level office space into two subtropical bars complete with a landscaped courtyard and an automated louvred roof. While the development promises a new social hub for the area, it also raises concerns about parking availability in the already congested neighbourhood.
The development application, which has been open for public consultation since late November, details plans to replace the current office area on level one with two new bars and outdoor space.
The design includes a 3-metre-high acoustic barrier to address potential noise concerns for nearby residents. Other planned improvements include updated street-front glazing and a new lift to improve accessibility.
A noise assessment conducted by Palmer Acoustics suggests that amplified music from the rooftop area would register between 35 and 40 decibels at the closest residential unit in the Kurilpa Residential Tower, situated 31 metres away. The hotel intends to maintain its current trading hours of 10:00 a.m. to midnight, with the rooftop area closing at 10:00 p.m.
While the design adheres to council noise guidelines, the Office of Liquor Gaming and Regulation will have final approval on permissible noise levels, which will then be incorporated as a condition of the hotel’s licence.
The Montague Hotel has enjoyed considerable popularity, boasting a 4.5-star rating on TripAdvisor and consistently drawing large crowds on Friday nights and weekends. The substantial increase in the hotel’s value since its previous sale six years prior, from $3.15 million to $20 million, has been attributed to the anticipated positive impact of Pradella’s The Lanes residential project and the proximity of the future Olympics media centre.
The current 787-square-metre corner site at 363 Montague Road will remain the same. The owners, MWE Hotels, have indicated that any street-front barriers and awnings will temporarily accommodate a planned 2.5-metre future council road widening.
The existing hotel features sports and lounge bar areas, three detached bottle shops, a bistro, a gaming room, a commercial kitchen, and 11 basement car parks. It also houses ten gaming machines, with approvals from 18 South East Queensland operating authorities. The venue first opened its doors in 2017.
Published Date 17-December-2024
