New building for Grand Hotel site

Work is set to start next week on a new office and hotel development in Rockhampton's central business district in central Queensland

It is on the site of the old Grand Hotel, which was demolished recently.

David French from Capricorn Investment Partners says it is an important project for that part of the inner city.

"This end of town is undergoing a rejuvenation," he said.

"Firstly there was The Edge and then there was the new Empire project going up on the corner of East and Archer [Streets]."

Mr French says the development will help to ease a shortage of quality office space in the city and it will be very different to the old building it replaces.

"Very different in looks but when you step back and have a look at the underpinning philosophy of it you've got big wide open areas, you've got a light weight construction and something that's designed for the Queensland climate," he said.

"About two-thirds of it's office space and the other section is set aside for a really nice quality bar bistro with a liquor licence."

Project Manager Asif Qureshi says the project will create jobs.

"Construction's going to start next week, most probably starting the excavation part and it's going to take six months, scheduled to finish in August this year," he said.

"It's going to create a lot of activities over here, probably potential of employing 50 or 60 for another six months."

Source: ABC News, 14 February 2013