Mermaid Beach Tavern

BUILDING NEW VALUE INTO A GOLD COAST ICON

When the transformed Mermaid Beach Tavern opened its doors in August after a multimillion-dollar makeover, it demonstrated how a venue can create continuity with its loved past while positioning for the future.

The tavern was previously known as a family-friendly tavern with a landmark McDonald’s playground in the front.

Owner JDA Hotels, Paul Kelly Design and Rohrig Constructions worked together to reinvent the qualities that the tavern was loved for.

Collaboration for style and value

John Feros, owner of JDA Hotels, said the vision was that the Mermaid Beach Tavern would be 100% inclusive and offer something for everyone. The venue needed the right casual sophistication to make it equally attractive for locals to come as a family, on a first date, for a ladies’ long lunch or for the boys to come for a punt.

“We wanted a pub that would pride itself in doing the simple things right: great pub food, extensive beverage offering, good entertainment and fantastic customer service,” Mr Feros said.

Architect, Paul Kelly Design, led the design inspiration with a theme of bringing new life to the past.

“The fundamental idea was to bring new life to the past, with our concept being a reinterpretation of a jewellery box (its what’s inside that’s the most desirable),” Paul Kelly said.

Rohrig Construction, working on a design and construct basis, collaborated with the client and architect to help evolve the design and ensure value in the build and for future operations.

Rohrig Construction Manager, Matt Tucker, said that JDA Hotels engaged Rohrig early to help with initial cost planning. While the project was being DA approved, Rohrig was able to work alongside the client and Paul Kelly to explore multiple design options.

A fresh and practical design

“We had a lot of experience with other JDA Hotels projects which, combined with close collaboration with all involved, meant we could find the best approaches to achieve lasting value and to realise the client’s and architect’s vision,” Mr Tucker said.

The redevelopment of the tavern included a new sports bar, gaming room, kitchen, lounge, bistro, public bar, courtyard areas and beer garden. The new kids’ room makes sure it’s still a loved place for families with youngsters too.

Paul Kelly said the new building elements were designed to ensure there was a strong connection with the outside environment, with natural sunlight and natural air flow. The extensive height, natural light, monolithic brick finish and abundant planting create a unique space. The design also included the introduction of a large, centralised bar and an enlarged kitchen.

Rohrig’s specialist food and beverage design team developed the bar and kitchen areas to bring the design ideas to life effectively and to ensure everything would function with optimum efficiency for staff and patrons.

Looking to the future

The revitalised Mermaid Beach Tavern with its distinctive aluminium-battened exterior and Queensland indoor-outdoor feel is now set to embrace many more decades at the heart of Gold Coast life.

Owner, John Feros, is delighted with the results and said it perfectly encapsulates their business motto ‘the premium pub experience’.

“We feel the project has been a successful union of great design and expert construction,” Mr Feros said.

“We could not be happier with the end product and look forward to sharing it with the thriving Mermaid Beach community.”