Historical pub to cultural hub: Peek inside Globe Hotel's multi-million dollar makeover
The first stage of a multi-million dollar project to transform an iconic outback Queensland pub into a cultural hub is almost complete.
The Globe Hotel in Barcaldine was known for decades as "the workers pub" — located in the town that is the birthplace of the Labor Party.
The pub, which was built in 1910, closed down several years ago and was purchased by the local council in 2011.
Since late 2014 it has been under construction as part of a $2.5 million project to convert it into a tourist and cultural centre.
Barcaldine Regional Council executive manager Brett Walsh said council seriously considered tearing the building down and starting from scratch but decided against it.
"The main reason for that was that it allowed us to retain the verandah over the footpath," Mr Walsh said.
"If we had started a new development, we wouldn't be able to do that, and that maintains the streetscape in Barcaldine."
Under Queensland law, any new building constructed on the site would not be approved for a verandah due to its proximity to the highway.
However, existing structures are exempt from this rule.
Mr Walsh said while the core structure of the old Globe Hotel has been retained, many major changes had been made.
"The verandah is completely new, we've got a new roof ... the building's been restumped and that was a major job to get under there," he said.
"The Globe was only about six inches off the ground so they've had to tunnel under the building, excavate and restump.
"We've put new screening on the outside of the building ... to protect the building from the western sun."
He said feedback from locals about the pub's redevelopment had been "mostly positive".
"I suppose people just want to see inside before they have a final opinion of the development because ... it's sort of shrouded by the screen so you don't know what's in there," he said.
"The few people who have been inside are very surprised and think it's fantastic."
Old building presents challenges for architect
Architect Brian Hooper said he and his team were keen to retain the original building on the site despite the challenges it presented.
"We felt quite strongly about the existing building and that we could work with the old fabric of the building, even though it was in such a state," he said.
"We didn't want the building to be replicated as a pub again but to give it its own new character while referencing and complimenting the old framework."
Mr Hooper, who was also involved in Barcaldine's Tree of Knowledge project, said the redeveloped building will be a mix of new and old designs.
"There are a lot of contemporary approaches and layering that we've put on the building, but there's still that lovely old charm."
A new tourist centre, history room and bank branch will be located on the ground floor of the building.
The second stage of the redevelopment, which is yet to be funded, will include an art gallery on the second floor.
Construction of stage two is likely to begin next year.
Stage one is due to be finished in late August and will be officially opened in October.
It was jointly funded by Barcaldine Regional Council and the Federal Government through its Regional Development Australia fund.
Source: ABC News, Blythe Moore, 3rd August 2015
Originally published as: Historical pub to cultural hub: Peek inside Globe Hotel's multi-million dollar makeover
