in 1994, metro hotels took over the operations of the tower mill hotel in brisbane. at the time of acquisition, the hotel was already 28 years old. the tower mill hotel was redeveloped by gorman property in july 1994. it was the scene of protests and demonstration against the south african apartheid regime and the springboks who were touring australia for rugby matches and were staying at the tower mill. one of the student protesters, peter beattie, went on to become the premier of queensland. the events of 1971 inspired the book called "the tower mill" by james moloney. the tower mill hotel was considered to be one of brisbane's most innovative buildings and in 2007, "the courier-mail" described the hotel as a "no-frills tower of strength". in may 2018, metro hotels sold its interest in the tower mill hotel to interstay.