WE’VE GOT HOT PROPERTY
SOUTHPORT’S Courthouse Hotel is set to be transformed from a temple of boozing to a sanctuary of learning.
The Courthouse, formerly owned by Hot Tomato radio station chief Hans Torv, sold in 2016 for $4.07 million to Ohreka Pty Ltd, linked to Korean-born investor Taek Oh.
The pub, founded as the Queen’s Arm Hotel in 1885, has remained empty after closing in June, 2015.
Academique, which provides English language, remedial massage, hospitality, and other courses, has signed a four-year lease for 1000sq m at the Courthouse.
“It is a fantastic spot and just outside of where it is really expensive (to rent),” principal David Dolley said.
“Students come to Australia for the experience. We wanted a place where students would go, ‘wow, this is part of my journey’.”
Mr Dolley said the college is not expanding, but rather consolidating its two offices at 52 Davenport St, and 18 Rawlins St, into one landmark location. Academique will take space over two levels, but not the former bistro at the rear.
“We have taken the ground and top floor, the bar is coming out, and we will change the name, maybe to Academique House.”
Mr Dolley said the former function rooms upstairs will be used as classrooms while the gaming room downstairs will become the remedial massage clinic.
A hospitality room will be built downstairs and entered through concertina doors.
“The students will feel like they are working at a restaurant.”
He said after the bar comes out, he will decide what to do upstairs.
The fit-out will start on June 1 and is expected to take about a month.
“We need approval from the Federal Education Department, but we do not anticipate that will be a problem as it is better than where we are now. We will get rid of all the chrome so it doesn’t look like a pub.”
Mr Dolley said The Courthouse will never be a pub again.
“Southport has changed and the world has changed. Southport has trendy eating and drinking places now,” he said.
“It will be a temple of learning.” Mr Dolley founded Academique with his wife Nanae Dolley, and business partner Denise Payne, in 2011.
The school has about 300 students during the quiet winter months, building to a peak of about 450 during summer.
Academique has a four-year option under the lease terms and will pay $210,000 gross in annual rent.
James Crawford, of Colliers International Gold Coast, negotiated the leasing deal.
Several smaller spaces are still available for lease at the Courthouse.