This three-storeyed, reinforced concrete hotel was constructed in two stages, 1928 and by , for the O'Hara family, well known Cairns publicans.
The earlier hotel, a substantial, 20 bedroom, two-storeyed timber building with double front verandahs and an observation tower, was erected in 1885 by Townsville contractors Hinton & Co., for publicans George Parker Hides and Duncan McColl, who also were in partnership in the Royal Hotel at Herberton.