Historic Naldham House set for renewal

17 May 2019

Historic Naldham House set for renewal

Plans to revitalise Brisbane’s Naldham House are a step closer with Dexus securing Mantle Group Hospitality for a long-term lease across the historic building.

Dexus has signed up Mantle Group Hospitality (MGH) on a long-term lease at 193 Mary Street, Brisbane. MGH is planning to transform the site into a new entertainment venue across four levels, offering high-quality dining, bar and function facilities, while preserving the building’s historic features.

Designed by Greenlight, the new fitout will reflect the heritage values and maritime qualities of the building, removing all the non-heritage elements installed since the 1960s. The building’s streetscape appeal, particularly from Mary Street, will be protected and the heritage streetscape elements will appear unchanged.

Development concept plans include:

• Function spaces on the upper floor (Level 2)
• A restaurant dining experience on Level 1
• An expansive ground floor outdoor deck to the side of the building for casual dining
• A basement bar

Dexus’s Head of Office Portfolio, Richard Garing said: “We acquired Naldham House to enhance the amenity for our customers in the Eagle street precinct and look forward to delivering on that vision with Mantle Group Hospitality.”

Godfrey Mantle, one of Brisbane’s most successful restauranteurs and owner of Mantle Group Hospitality, will bring Naldham House back to life.

He says: “We are excited to have the opportunity to create the only stand-alone hospitality venue within a unique heritage building in Brisbane’s CBD. We will create a more open and inviting design unlike any previous layout, while enhancing the exquisite detail of the historical building.

“Each level will tell its own story and provide an intimate experience for the local business community, local residents and visitors to our city.”

Plans for the venue include incorporating a large tropical outdoor deck exposing tree surround views. There will be a kitchen on each level to deliver various culinary experiences that reflect the strength of local producers.

Built between 1864 and 1889, Naldham House operated as the members-only Polo Club for 25 years. The heritage-listed building was acquired by Dexus and Dexus Wholesale Property Fund in October 2015 and is part of Dexus’s Waterfront Precinct proposal to transform Brisbane’s Eagle Street Pier into a premium business and leisure destination.

The venue is expected to open in early 2020.