CLEVELAND’S historic Grand View Hotel looks set to be in the hands of new owners next month.
The hotel – Queensland's oldest licensed premises – has been owned by Gerald and Karen Brock and their son Ben since 1992.
While the Brock’s declined to answer questions about the sale, Ben Brock wrote on social media that the hotel had been bought by a private company.
In 2017 council approved a five-level, upmarket 33-apartment block, on land also owned by the Brock’s, beside the hotel. That application followed an approval 10 years before for a three-level project.
The design provided protection for a banyan tree, considered to be the oldest in Queensland.
The property adjoins the Toondah Harbour priority development area, which is the subject of a $1.39 billion proposal by Walker Corporation.
Mayor Karen Williams said the Brock family would be missed.
“The Brock family have been a part of our Redlands Coast social fabric for decades supporting numerous community groups and providing an iconic location for our visitors to enjoy,” Cr Williams said.
“We wish them the best in their future endeavours and look forward to welcoming the new management to our naturally wonderful historic Grand View Hotel.”
Ray White Commercial Bayside director Nathan Moore was not involved in the sale but said this was an exciting time for the Cleveland area.
“Tourism is a key economic driver for the Redlands and any addition to our current facilities should be encouraged,” he said.
The Bulletin reported in 2014 that the Brock family had put the 6500 square metre property, including the hotel and adjacent land, up for sale.
At the time Gerald Brock said the time was ripe for the grand old dame to have a facelift.
He wanted someone with vision to take the site to a new level.
The hotel is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register as one of the oldest hotels in Queensland in continuous use.
Opened in 1851, the pub, originally named the Brighton Hotel, was popular as a seaside resort.
It was remodelled into its present form sometime before 1900, by which time the rail link had been extended to Cleveland Point.
The hotel was named the Grand View in 1910.