Brisbane Archdiocese mulls future for empty Stock Exchange Hotel

This month, the Archdiocese applied to Brisbane City Council for an extension on an approved demolition application lodged in 2016 by the former owners.

Although the Archdiocese is asking for an extension, it’s understood another lessee would be welcomed into the venue to replace the Riversdale Group.

In a statement, the Archdiocese said there were “no immediate plans for the site given the unexpected end of the previous lease”.

“COVID-19 has thrown up many surprises, including in the CBD which has been impacted by the shift to remote work for many people,” the statement said.

“In that environment, there has been no chance to provide detailed consideration of plans for the site.”

The demolition application, as approved in 2017, allows for the removal of the “modern building fabric” at the back of the hotel, retaining an 1880s extension to the original building on Edward Street as well as the original hotel on the corner.

A heritage report lodged with the original demolition application noted the demolition would have “negligible impact” on the heritage aspects of the site.

“What little original early fabric remaining on the site which is recognisable as such … will be retained,” the report said.

At the time, the Archdiocese objected to the demolition application, writing to the council in January 2017 that any demolition would directly impact properties it owned either side – Penola Place on Edward Street, and Archives Building on Charlotte Street.

But after purchasing the site in mid-2019, the Archdiocese asked the council to extend the demolition application for another three years; the council granted a one-year extension.

On January 11 this year, the Archdiocese lodged a fresh request to extend the demolition approval, out to 2023.

In a letter to the council on behalf of the Archdiocese, planners Urbis said the Archdiocese had invested “significant resources and time” into the site, but the economic impact of the pandemic had put work on hold.

The council has not yet responded to the extension request.

The Archdiocese statement said the hotel and the grounds of St Stephen’s Cathedral had “coexisted for more than 150 years”.

“There are no plans to do anything that would disrupt the valuable green space provided by the Cathedral grounds, which are available to anyone to relax during the day.”