Inspiration taken from London and NYC for 1930s-style bar on Queen Street Mall

Ruth McCosker

Published: July 12 2017 - 12:03PM

Inspiration has been taken from a London pub and a New York saloon to transform a former bank building in Brisbane's CBD into a luxurious bar.

Town planners Bartley Burns submitted a development application on behalf of its client, Penny Black Hotel, to Brisbane City Council last month proposing to establish a bar in the vacant heritage-listed Bank of New South Wales building in the Queen Street Mall.

In the development application submitted to the council, images of the bar at New York's Nomad Hotel and the interior of The Old Bank of England pub in London were shown as part of the proposed plans.

Both bars looked to be set in a similar building to the Brisbane site and featured dark mahogany and elegant finishes.

In the assessment report submitted to the council the developer proposed a lobby, central bar, seating, a keg room, kitchen, cold room, storeroom, office and amenities for the 1158 square metre site.

"In keeping with the heritage values of the building, the interior will feature a grand design with dark, heritage colours and opulent finishes," the report said.

"Externally, the proposal will not include any changes to the building facade, with the heritage values of this facade intended to be appropriately conserved and retained.

"Externally, the proposal will also feature outdoor seating in front of the Queens Street facade."

Council's city planning boss Julian Simmonds said the proposed ground-level bar would require internal renovations, but the intent of the proposal was to the preserve the integrity of the heritage building.

"Council is extremely supportive of plans to repurpose heritage buildings, particularly for uses where the history was celebrated and opened to the public, such as in this proposal for a 1930s-themed bar, which complements the existing heritage architecture," Cr Simmonds said.

"Impacts to the state heritage listing of the building have already been assessed, and works have been approved by the state government."

Fairfax Media's calls to Bartley Burns were not returned.

This story was found at: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/inspiration-taken-from-london-and-nyc-for-1930sstyle-bar-on-queen-street-mall-20170711-gx9543.html