Harry Seidler hotel reborn as InterContinental Brisbane under IHG Hotels and Resorts and ISPT

IHG Hotels & Resorts and ISPT will open the InterContinental Brisbane in the former Hilton Brisbane – the only hotel in Australia designed by the renowned architect Harry Seidler – which is set to transform one of the city’s most iconic buildings into a world-class hotel and dining destination.

InterContinental Brisbane will open in early June following the signing of a long-term management agreement with ISPT, a leading property funds manager and developer of the 150 Elizabeth Street precinct where the hotel is located. The property will be converted from the former Hilton Brisbane to become a member of the luxury hotel brand.

ISPT’s renewed vision for the precinct, primely positioned in Brisbane’s CBD on Elizabeth Street, and connected to the bustling Queen Street Mall, also integrates the hotel with Wintergarden and the Regent Theatre into one retail, dining, entertainment and hospitality destination.

The InterContinental Brisbane will undergo a two-year transformation while retaining features from Seidler’s original designs that make the hotel iconic. Once completed, it will feature 321 guest rooms, many with views across the Brisbane skyline. The hotel will also boast four restaurants and bars and showcase expansive conference and events facilities.

“We knew it would take a special property to bring our iconic InterContinental brand to life in Brisbane and are incredibly proud to partner with ISPT in support of the rejuvenation of this incredible asset and we look forward to creating an indelible beacon of hospitality for Brisbane,” IHG Hotels & Resorts director of development Australasia & Pacific, Cameron Burke, said.

“The Brisbane hotel market, and Southeast Queensland region, is entering a golden era fueled by transformative infrastructure projects, a booming tourism sector and the countdown to the 2032 Olympics. With record investment and a surge in both corporate and leisure demand, the region is fast becoming Australia’s most dynamic hospitality hotspot.”

“We are excited to partner with IHG to bring the globally renowned InterContinental brand to Brisbane,” ISPT head of development – office, industrial, retail, and mixed use, Tom Waters, said. “We sought a brand that would epitomise luxury, honour the legacy of the building, and become a cornerstone of the vibrant precinct we’re developing.

“Leveraging ISPT’s expertise in placemaking and curating urban experiences, this precinct is set to transform Brisbane’s CBD. It will seamlessly integrate the Regent Theatre, Wintergarden retail and dining offering, alongside a world-class InterContinental Hotel.

“Together, we share a vision to see the hotel completely revitalised and we’re thrilled to be embarking on this transformative project with IHG.”

InterContinental Brisbane will open as the third InterContinental property in Queensland, joining InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef and InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort. It expands IHG’s fast-growing luxury & lifestyle portfolio and reinforces its focus on growing its presence in the region. In Australasia, IHG currently operates 21 hotels within its luxury & lifestyle segment, with five properties in the pipeline, spanning its InterContinental, Kimpton, Vignette Collection and Hotel Indigo brands.

IHG Hotels & Resorts has 69 hotels in Australasia operating under nine brands – Six Senses, InterContinental, Kimpton, Vignette Collection, Hotel Indigo, voco, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express, with another 26 properties in its development pipeline.