Hotel Grande, corner Brisbane and East Streets, 1927 – 1930 (Image courtesy of Picture Ipswich)
Commissioned by George Thorn in 1864, the Grand Hotel was originally built as a small terrace facing East Street which housed three two storey shops on the corner of East and Brisbane Streets. Each shop had its own internal staircase which led to an upper floor living space with its own fireplace and chimney. After the death of George Thorn, the shops went to auction and were bought by T. B. Cribb. In 1909 the new owner, Mr Hall, asked local architect Will Haenke to convert the terrace to a hotel. The building was extended alongside Brisbane Street adding a dining room. The external walls were rendered and decorated with plaster pilasters and pediments. The Grand Hotel opened for business in 1910 with Mr Everingham as the publican.
Further improvements were made between 1925 and 1927 by architect Mr George Brockwell Gill and Messrs. Hastie and Halliwell, the builders. The large verandah was widened and clad with decorative pressed metal. The whole of the interior was painted, renovated and papered. A three storied brick addition was erected at the back of the hotel with a corridor connecting the new and old buildings. The public and private bars were refurbished. The upper floors were divided into well-lighted lounges, bedrooms and sundry offices and a fernery was added to the first floor. The hotel was renamed “Hotel Grande” and became very popular amongst the Ipswich community with functions being held in its large dining and lounge rooms. Bridge was a popular fundraiser with clubs such as the Christian Brothers.
Ipswich Motorcycle Club, Smoke Concert at the Hotel Grande, 1938 (Image courtesy of Picture Ipswich)
In 1984 the Hotel Grande was 120 years old and was advertised for sale by tender. It was hoped that a new owner would renovate the building and bring one of the city’s oldest landmarks back to its former glory. On Sunday, 4 November, 1984 the hotel was demolished to make way for a new shopping plaza to be built and named in honour of the old Hotel; the Ipswich Grande Plaza.
Information taken from: “Grand old pub is up for tender”, 26-03-1984, The Queensland Times; Picture Ipswich; “Bridge at the Hotel Grande”, 20-09-1934, The Queensland Times; “Hotel Grande”, 22-12-1927, The Queensland Times.