Bellevue Hotel, Brisbane, demolished hotel in Brisbane
The Bellevue Hotel, Brisbane was a traditional pub and hotel located at the corner of George and Alice Streets, serving as a major accommodation and gathering place from 1885 onward. The building featured large verandas and classical details that reflected the architectural style of the late 19th century.
The hotel opened in 1885-1886 and quickly became a popular destination for travelers and locals near Parliament House. The government purchased it in 1967 with plans for demolition, but the building remained vacant for years until it was suddenly demolished in April 1979.
The hotel was a social gathering place for politicians, government officials, and travelers throughout its existence. Its late 19th-century design with verandas and detailed woodwork made it a recognizable landmark in Brisbane's urban landscape.
The original building no longer exists, but the site remains easily accessible from downtown Brisbane and is being developed into Bellevue Plaza. The new public space will offer seating and historical markers explaining the hotel's significance to the area.
Actress Katharine Hepburn stayed at the hotel in 1955 and painted a self-portrait in one of its rooms that was later sold at auction for a substantial amount. The building's demolition in 1979 was so controversial that it directly prompted the Queensland Heritage Act of 1992, transforming how the state protects historical structures.
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