Standing proudly in East Brisbane since 1889, the Lord Stanley Hotel has long been a cherished local landmark. Its recent renovation sought to revitalise the historic venue while preserving the architectural character that has defined the building for more than a century. The transformation delivers a contemporary hospitality destination that honours its past while introducing new spaces for gathering, dining and social connection.
Led by MCD Construction and designed by BSPN Architects, the project carefully balanced heritage preservation with modern functionality. Rather than concealing the building’s age, the design embraced authentic materials and textures, such as exposed brickwork, warm timber tones and industrial detailing, to reinforce the hotel’s historic identity while supporting contemporary hospitality use.
A key element of this transformation was the introduction of Futurewood composite timber products across both interior and exterior spaces. Working closely with the design and construction teams, Futurewood supplied EnviroSlat screening battens and CleverDeck Eco-Pro composite decking, all in a rich Black Bean finish, contributing both aesthetic cohesion and long-term durability to the redevelopment.
Futurewood’s EnviroSlat screening battens, in a range of sizes, were used extensively throughout the project as decorative wall cladding, screening and architectural detailing. Installed across internal walls, screens and external entry features, the battens introduce warmth and texture while complementing the hotel’s heritage character. Their consistent colour and refined profile help unify the renovated spaces, creating a cohesive visual language that flows throughout the venue.
Equally significant was the installation of CleverDeck Eco-Pro composite decking within the hotel’s new rooftop bar and indoor-outdoor dining areas. These highly visible spaces demanded a material capable of delivering both aesthetic appeal and robust performance.
Futurewood’s composite timber products provide the natural appearance of traditional timber while eliminating the maintenance requirements associated with sanding, oiling and repainting — an important consideration for a high-traffic hospitality venue.
The addition of the rooftop bar represents one of the project’s most exciting new features, expanding the hotel’s offering while creating a unique elevated gathering space overlooking the surrounding neighbourhood. Here, the composite decking plays a key role in shaping a welcoming outdoor environment that blends seamlessly with the building’s historic architecture.
Throughout the renovation, Futurewood worked closely with MCD Construction to ensure timely delivery and efficient material production, minimising waste while maintaining the quality demanded by a heritage project of this scale.
In its new iteration, the revitalised Lord Stanley Hotel stands as a compelling example of how innovative materials and thoughtful design can breathe new life into historic buildings.
____________________________________
PROJECT PARTICULARS
CLIENT Lord Stanley Hotel
LOCATION East Brisbane, Queensland
ARCHITECT BSPN Architects
BUILD MCD Construction
PRODUCT SUPPLY Futurewood
PHOTOGRAPHY Glenn Weiss
