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The hospitality group behind popular Gold Coast venue Cali Beach Club is taking on a $7 million renovation of the iconic General Post Office (GPO) in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley which will transform it into a multi-venue precinct.
Announced this week, the redevelopment has been described as the company’s ‘next evolution’ in its strategic expansion in Queensland.
Speaking to Business News Australia, Artesian Hospitality founder and managing partner Matthew Keegan said the $7 million project will see the building restored and upgraded to facilitate multiple venues.
“It’s an iconic Brisbane landmark,” Keegan said.
“I’ve always looked at that building and thought ‘what an opportunity it would be to put something truly amazing in there and turn it into a precinct of fantastic venues for people to visit’.
“Our vision for the historical 2,000sqm, multi-building site in the thriving Fortitude Valley is to deliver a variety of unique experiential venues that patrons love to visit again and again. We’re remaining tight-lipped as to what exactly that will entail right now, but it won’t be long before we release that information.”
The GPO will be Artesian’s latest project after the company finished construction on the luxury beachside-inspired destination Cali Beach Club, which successfully opened on the Gold Coast during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since opening, the club has welcomed over half a million patrons and hosted a variety of artists and activations, including international DJ Steve Aoki.
“Cali’s been a massive success for us since we opened it last year. COVID notwithstanding it’s just gone from strength to strength,” said Keegan.
“Seeing the amount of people come through and enjoy the space - as an owner that’s so exciting. You can stand back and watch people whether they’re eating or drinking, or partying or swimming.”
Artesian now hopes to further transform the building that houses Cali Beach Club by turning it into a multi-venue precinct, similar to how the firm will operate the GPO.
The site will take guests from day to night, and eventually will become Artesian’s new corporate headquarters. As part of the deal, the building will be renamed ‘Artesian House’.
The first multi-storey venue within the precinct is already under construction. As for what the plans entail, Keegan is remaining quiet.
“There will be multiple new venues within the building that we’ll be opening up over the course of the next 12 to 18 months,” Keegan said.
“There’ll be large-scale venues that will complement the Cali Beach venue.”
As for the future, Keegan told Business News Australia that he has plenty of plans in the works for South East Queensland.
“We’re constantly mulling over opportunities, and there’s irons in the fire with respect to South East Queensland generally,” he said.
“We’re not really wanting to talk too much further about it at this point, so watch this space.”
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