Reimagining Brisbane’s pubs is no longer just about aesthetics, it’s about positioning venues to perform in a rapidly evolving market.
McCormack Brisbane has been privileged to help revitalise a number of pubs across South East Queensland, delivering refurbishments that respect heritage while elevating functionality, compliance, and guest experience.
Our work with major operators, including ALH Group, has reinforced our capability in delivering complex refurbishments within live trading environments. These projects demand careful staging, stakeholder coordination, and a deep understanding of how venues operate commercially. The outcome is not just a refreshed space, but a venue positioned to perform.
While we continue to operate at that level, the growing opportunity sits with independent publicans and smaller hospitality groups preparing for the next phase of Brisbane’s growth. Population increases, major infrastructure investment, and the lead-up to the 2032 Olympic Games are already placing pressure on trades, supply chains, and pricing. The operators who act early will be best placed to control costs, secure capacity, and capitalise on increased demand.
Through our integrated design and construct model, supported by our in-house team at Studio 103, we align concept, budget, and buildability from day one. This reduces risk, shortens programmes, and ensures venues are designed not only to look good, but to function efficiently and deliver strong commercial outcomes.
As Steven Raymond, General Manager of McCormack Brisbane, explains, timing is critical:
“With Brisbane 2032 approaching, timing is critical. Operators who act now can secure trades, lock in pricing, and position their pubs, hotels, and smaller 3–4 star assets ahead of the surge in demand, and even after the Games, costs and availability will take time to rebalance. For us, refurbishments are about more than projects; they’re about long-term partnerships. Working alongside our design partner, Studio 103, we bring operators’ visions to life, create spaces that thrive well beyond completion, and enjoy seeing venues come alive — and, at the end of the day, there’s nothing better than sharing a beer in a space we’ve helped create.”
For operators considering their next move, the message is clear: the market is shifting. Acting now is not simply about upgrading a venue, it’s about securing long-term relevance, resilience, and return in a rapidly evolving hospitality landscape.