A Terminus for Travellers

In the late 19th century, long before boutique bars and rooftop gardens, this corner block was home to the Terminus Hotel. Built in 1920, the Terminus catered to the needs of weary travelers and workers, drawn to South Brisbane by its proximity to the city’s railway hub, the bus station, and the port. Its name — Terminus — was no accident: it reflected the area’s status as a transport and trade terminus for a rapidly growing Brisbane.

The original building featured ornate brickwork and wrought iron balconies, common among the hotels of the time. It was a place of rest, refreshment, and rowdy yarns — a public house in the truest sense.

Reinvention as The Fox Hotel

By the late 1990s, the building had undergone a major transformation and emerged with a new identity: The Fox Hotel. With its bold art-deco revival interior, vibrant murals, and irreverent energy, The Fox became a cultural landmark in its own right — beloved by uni students, creatives, and night owls alike.

During its heyday, The Fox was more than just a bar; it was an institution. From Sunday sessions on the rooftop to late-night gigs and art exhibitions, it played a vital role in shaping Brisbane’s contemporary hospitality and arts scene.

Looking Forward, Holding Onto the Past

Today, as Brisbane continues to evolve with the Queens Wharf precinct and South Brisbane’s cultural renaissance, 71 Melbourne Street remains a powerful symbol of adaptive reuse. Its heritage bones still stand strong, even as its function continues to shift with the times.

From its beginnings as the Terminus, a home for travellers, to its life as The Fox, a playground for modern Brisbane, the address continues to invite connection, creativity, and conversation.

Whatever comes next for this storied building, its legacy as a cornerstone of Brisbane life is firmly cemented.

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