The Comiskey Group will officially take the reins later this month, adding The Imperial Hotel to their rapidly growing portfolio, which includes award-winning venues; Sandstone Point Hotel, Eatons Hill Hotel, Samford Hotel and more recently, The Doonan.
Established in 1911, The Imperial Hotel is a Sunshine Coast landmark, located across from Australia’s largest open-air markets, the famous Eumundi Markets. The sale of the 112-year old property includes; an on-site distillery, bottle shop drive-thru, the brewery which is home to Eumundi Brewery, and 15-room boutique accommodation, HOLA.
The double storey hotel and boutique accommodation is situated on an approximately 5,581sqm corner block and boasts classic Queenslander architecture with a modern touch.
The Comiskey Group initially began their hotel operation in the Moreton Bay region, north of Brisbane, before stepping into the Sunshine Coast. The purchase of The Imperial Hotel marks the group’s second hotel on the coast within the year, just months after opening The Doonan. After owning the property in Doonan for 15 years, The Comiskey Group partnered with hospitality veterans, Josh Jones and Neville Allen to open popular hotel, The Doonan, in March 2023.
The Comiskey Group also purchased 150-hectares of land in Coochin Creek on the Sunshine Coast in 2022, with an application lodged to utilise the property as a large scale festival and event site.
Comiskey Group Director, David Comiskey resides on the Sunshine Coast despite working largely in Moreton Bay, and believes the lifestyle that the coast has to offer is well worth the commute.
“My family have always loved the Sunshine Coast! People can’t believe I drive to Brisbane every day for work but I wouldn’t have it any other way, the lifestyle on the coast is unbeatable which is why we are excited to be expanding further into the region. The Imperial Hotel is my local, and I have always loved it. Eumundi is a must-see Queensland tourism destination and we are proud to be able to be a part of its future in more ways than one” says David Comiskey.
Hitting the market about a year ago, The Imperial Hotel and its additional assets, were said to be an unmissable opportunity for the Comiskey family.
Director Rob Comiskey is excited about the purchase and is very much looking forward to working with Lion who operate Eumundi Brewery out of the on-site brewery, now owned by the group.
“Being able to own such an iconic hotel and brewery in such a special community was an unmissable opportunity. The Eumundi Brewery brand is a local treasure, well-known across the state. We can’t wait to begin this unique partnership with Lion, combining our differing industry expertise to further build our businesses and support the growth of the brand on a national scale. We already have a great relationship with Lion, working with them in a different capacity across our pubs, and so we look forward to seeing what’s to come from joining forces” says Robert Comiskey.
Lion’s Queensland Field Sales Director, Patrick Donohue is looking forward to working with the Comiskey Group.
“We are pleased to be part of this exciting next chapter for the Imperial Hotel and look forward to continuing to operate the Eumundi Brewery here at the venue, now under the ownership of the Comiskey Group. The Imperial Hotel is a quintessentially Queensland pub that is loved by locals and visitors to the Sunshine Coast alike. Nothing beats a fresh Eumundi beer tapped directly from the brewery tanks after a wander around the markets!”
The Comiskey Group plan to keep The Imperial Hotel’s iconic Queenslander façade but give the venue’s interior a major renovation over the next few months. The group intend to add two new restaurants, a new gaming room and TAB to the hotel, as well as reinvigorate the existing spaces.
“The Imperial Hotel has great street appeal, we want to keep the iconic Queenslander look that it is famous for and bring back the traditional style, acknowledging the hotel’s history. We are excited to take ownership of the venue, and plan to add new furniture, lighting and landscaping to really reinvigorate the existing spaces. We also look forward to bringing in a new menu and offering that we hope the community will love” says Rob Comiskey.
The Comiskey Group’s experience in the entertainment industry operating live music venues, Eatons Hill and Sandstone Point Hotel, will be put to good use. The Imperial Hotel’s live band room will also be utilised, with the group planning to bring more events to the community, showcasing both local musicians and talent from the world stage.
A place to stay after an event, the property’s 15-room on-site accommodation named HOLA, was recently built by the previous owners. The Comiskey Group will keep the contemporary chic styling of the rooms but add new, exciting facilities to the complex including a heated pool.
The Comiskey Group are excited to announce their recent acquisition of this landmark property and look forward to handover day late-October. With their expansion and investment into the Sunshine Coast, The Comiskey Group are set to make a significant contribution to the hospitality and events industry in the region.
