Inside the colossal pub renovations fit for a Biblical hero

From dismantling mock Colosseums to stripping out sticky carpets, pub owners are pouring millions into replacing cheesy, dated interiors with more modern designs.

They came, they saw, they renovated.

Melbourne’s Moreland Hotel, with its kitschy Roman-themed dining room and replica of Michelangelo’s David statue at its heart, is among a string of historic pubs receiving multimillion dollar refreshes.

For years, the northern suburbs pub charmed locals with its cheesy interior, painted summer blue sky ceiling, fake marble and ornate columns, and faux Colosseum.

But its owners, ALH Hotels, decided it was time for a $5.9 million top-to-bottom transformation which installed sky-lit ceilings, a light-filled beer garden, large trees and cobblestone flooring.

“It was a bit dated, and it was very gimmicky,” said publican Michael Taylor.

The upgrade was not built in a day. The gaming room and public bar was renovated a year-and-a-half ago, while the legendary Roman dining room was updated more recently.

The move was not without controversy, though, with a petition circulated to save the hotel bistro’s “iconic interior” which was “truly unique and special,” according to petition starter Hannah Garvan, who branded it a “beloved local space which reflects Brunswick’s migrant history”.

Taylor said the Roman theme was only introduced in the early 1990s after the pub owner travelled to the US and “wanted a touch of Vegas in Melbourne”.

“It’s not a historic thing. Obviously, the Moreland Hotel was Caesar’s Palace inspired,” he said.

But the theme didn’t make much sense: “You just walk into the pub and go, ‘Why is this here?’ The theme wasn’t fully fleshed out properly, so they decided to scrap that and just make it a bit more modern, make it a bit more with the times with what Brunswick and Coburg has become.”

The motifs and imagery on display at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas were more the inspiration for the Moreland Hotel, rather than any European icons. Picture: Getty

For now the 12-feet polycarbonate David replica is in the public bar watching over patrons with his chiselled good looks. But for nostalgia’s sake, the Renaissance man will take a more central pride of place soon.

“He’s going to be moved back into the bistro on a proper pedestal, and back in his former glory,” Taylor said.

The painted blue sky domed ceiling has also been replaced with actual skylights.

The Moreland Hotel was built in 1889 for Donald Fraser, the Mayor of Brunswick. The original Italianate three-storey hotel building was completely rebuilt in 1912 with further alterations made in the 1930s, 1970s and 1990s.

Taylor said the response to the historic pub’s most recent upgrade has been generally positive.

“It’s a lot more open and airier. When you read comments online, it’s the exact opposite – we’ve apparently destroyed history. So, it depends on which side of the debate you’re on, really.”

The updated Moreland Hotel decor has been popular with actual patrons but has attracted criticism online. Picture: Supplied, Moreland Hotel Facebook

High on the Northern Tablelands about halfway between Sydney and Brisbane, around $5.8 million is being pumped into another historic pub.

The Armidale Hotel – the oldest pub in the New England region – has been part of the town’s history since 1852. In that time it has traded under several different names, most recently as the Wicklow Hotel.

The Feros Group, which now owns about 18 venues, bought the pub for an undisclosed sum mid-last year. It was listed for sale for $9.8 million in 2024.

For Feros Group founder Nick Feros, who grew up nearby and attended school in Armidale, buying the pub was a “genuine homecoming”.

The pub’s history and role in the Armidale community also influenced the decision to buy the property, said Feros Group marketing director Ben Auricht.

“Pubs like this are irreplaceable,” Auricht said.

Fugen Constructions is overseeing the restoration of the Armidale Hotel on behalf of the Feros Group. Picture: Fugen

“It was clear the building had not received the investment or attention it deserved in recent years.

“We saw an opportunity to restore it, celebrate its heritage and give it a new lease on life. It was simply too special an opportunity to pass up.”

The new owners have returned the Armidale Hotel to its original name to reflect its longstanding connection to the community, while creating a vibrant modern pub locals can be proud of, he said.

“Every iconic regional town deserves a pub that proudly carries its name, and we believe the Armidale Hotel can once again become a landmark pub for the community,” Auricht said.

“Preserving that heritage while giving it a sustainable future is something we’re incredibly passionate about.”

To bring the pub back to life, the existing hotel will be stripped out and rebuilt, including significant upgrades to the interior and services.

The opening has been slated for early December.

The post Inside the colossal pub renovations fit for a Biblical hero appeared first on realcommercial.com.au.

Source link