Manly's Historic Q Station Has Been Acquired by Harbord Hotel Owner Glenn Piper

Piper, who transformed Harbord Hotel into a live music and events hub, has promised to enhance the expansive northern beaches site.
Ben Hansen
December 02, 2021

The historic Q Station site that sits above Quarantine Beach in Manly's North Head has been sold to northern beaches hotelier Glenn Piper. Piper, the owner of Harbord Hotel, acquired the site from longstanding owners Mawland, subject to approval from the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Q Station boasts a 105-room boutique hotel with panoramic views of the ocean, plus five different bars and eateries, and expansive open areas. Currently, the lush grounds of the site are adorned with sculptures as part of the Les Sculptures Refusées exhibition — which features large outdoor artworks that have been rejected from other exhibitions, including Sculpture by the Sea.

"This is an incredibly special asset and I am absolutely thrilled to be given the opportunity to operate Q Station," Piper said.

"Q Station is ready for a new layer of history and we are excited to see value added to the property and operation under the care of its new leaseholder," added current owners Suzanne Stanton and Max Player.

Les Sculptures Refusées

The northern beaches property received over 250 enquires and 13 formal bids from local and international bidders, with Piper winning out.

Piper recently transformed Harbord Hotel, a longstanding Freshwater venue. Under his guidance with co-owner Lachlan Cottee, the historic hotel was renovated and refurbished with a new sunny terrance and a fresh interior. The venue has since turned itself into a hotspot for live music and events, including running an 11-day surfing and music festival in April, alongside weekly gigs and DJ sets.

Piper is yet to announce his plans for Q Station; however, he promising an enhanced public offering is in the works.

Q Station is located at 1 North Head Scenic Drive, Manly.

Top image: Andrew Gregory, Destination NSW

Published on December 02, 2021 by Ben Hansen
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