Kickon Group has unveiled the results of a major renovation at the Grand View Hotel and is gearing up to reopen the Doutta Galla Hotel following an extensive refurbishment.
Overlooking North Stradbroke Island, the Grand View Hotel in Cleveland is one of Queensland’s oldest continuously licensed hotels. The pub reopened this month following a major year-long renovation project focused on preserving the venue’s 174-year heritage while modernising its facilities and offering.
The refurbishment has enhanced the venue’s appeal with upgraded spaces, expanded capacity and state-of the-art kitchens and bars. Kickon Group CEO and founder Craig Shearer describes the project as a reflection of both the venue’s legacy and its future.
“The transformation is not just a facelift, it’s a safeguard for one of Queensland’s most historic venues, ensuring it remains a cornerstone of the community and a place where new memories continue to be made.
“The Grand View isn’t just a pub – it’s a part of Queensland’s story, and we’re proud to keep that story alive for generations to come,” he stated.
As you enter the pub, the heritage-listed hallway and Cleveland Room remain untouched, with updated bar amenities complementing the heritage features.
Central to the transformation is a multi-million dollar kitchen rebuild, complete with a large rotisserie oven, a Josper rotisserie grill and an Italian rotary pizza oven. The venue now offers authentic woodfired pizzas, alongside charcoal-grilled steaks, charcoal-roasted rotisserie meats, fresh seafood and elevated pub classics.
During the renovation, a historic cistern – originally featured in an 1855 advertisement for Cleveland House – was uncovered beneath the area connecting the kitchen to the new outdoor space. In consultation with the Queensland Heritage Office, the design was adapted so the well could be preserved and displayed rather than covered, creating a unique focal point within the venue and integrating a tangible piece of its 19th century history into the new layout.
“Discovering the 1855 well reminded us of the GV’s deep history, and now we’ve created a venue that honours that past while offering something truly exciting for the future,” Shearer added.
Drinks-wise, the refurbished venue features an expanded bar and a new, high-performance beer system with twice as many taps, upgraded lines and expanded service areas, including a dedicated outdoor bar. The upgrades are designed to improve efficiency, reduce wait times and deliver consistently cold beverages throughout the venue.
Designed with the community in mind, everything from the F&B offering to entertainment has been tailored to appeal to a broad demographic. In addition to spacious outdoor seating and a childrens’ play area, patrons can watch live sports on a large outdoor screen and live music from Thursday to Sunday. The pub also features a gaming room.
With capacity to accommodate more than 1,000 guests across the venue, the Grand View Hotel now offers more event spaces with the versatility to cater to everything from casual gatherings to major events such as weddings. The venue features a purpose-built function marquee with capacity for up to 150 guests, an upper dining terrace, and an expansive pet-friendly lawn.
The Doot gets a refurb
The Doutta Galla Hotel, known locally as The Doot, is set to reopen ahead of Cup Week following a major renovation that began in November 2024. Like the Grand View Hotel, the Kensington pub has been refreshed to preserve its heritage while upgrading the facilities.
The hotel has changed ownership, with Kickon Group now leading the venue under CEO Craig Shearer, joined by newly appointed pub partner Ben Lougoon and a group of investors including actor Travis Fimmel and former AFL players Luke Hodge and Andrew Walker.
Established in 1889, the Doutta Galla Hotel has been a fixture of Melbourne’s inner north for more than a century. In the renovation, the pub has retained its iconic red doors, honouring its rich legacy and position in the Kensington community.
When entering, on the ground floor patrons can expect to find a pub on one side of the bar, and on the other, a restaurant with a focus on seasonality and elevated pub classics.
The top two floors offer a series of versatile function spaces suited to a wide range of events, acting as an extension of the downstairs bar. A modern beer hall will also be revealed on the upper floors in the months following the reopening.
The renovation includes significant upgrades to enhance service capacity, with brand-new bars added across all floors. Levels one and two now feature full-service bars, and two additional bars have been installed on the ground floor.
The refreshed pub holds onto the heritage and charm that has made it a cornerstone of the local community, but with renewed energy, late-night music and a 3am license.