Queen's Wharf is a multipurpose residential and entertainment precinct that is partially completed and partially under construction on either side of William Street in the central business district of Brisbane, Australia. The megaproject is one of Australia’s biggest mixed-use precincts.[1]
In July 2015, the Queensland Government announced the Destination Brisbane Consortium of Star Entertainment Group, Chow Tai Fook Enterprises and Far East Consortium, as the successful tenderer for the redevelopment. The mixed-use development will feature 2,000 apartments, 1,100 hotel rooms and a casino.[2][3][4] The project also includes a 1,500 seat-ballroom[5] and a Sky Deck observation platform with 360 degree views. The Sky Deck will be open to the public 24/7.[6] There are about 50 new cafes, bars and restaurants in the resort. An oblong sculpture by artist Lindy Lee is located at the George Street entrance.[7]
The redevelopment includes the construction of four high-rise buildings and the Neville Bonner Bridge connecting the precinct to South Bank, as well as the repurposing of existing heritage-listed structures within the site. Work commenced in March 2018 with a preliminary 2022 completion date[8] that was updated to 2023, and again delayed to April 2024.[9]Treasury Casino closed on 25 August 2024. A staged opening began on 29 August 2024. Bad weather and the COVID-19 pandemic were blamed for the delay.[10]
The project's location was criticised for its proximity to the historical heart of the city and government seat of power.[11]
History
Construction was undertaken by Multiplex. Onsite demolition took over a year to complete.[12] The Neville Bonner building and the Executive building had to be removed. The height of the Executive building made it the tallest building demolition to take place in Queensland.[12] More than 33,000 tonnes of rubble were created. Excavated rock was used to provide fill for the development of a car mall at Brisbane Airport.[13] During excavation 134-year-old electrical cables were unearthed.[14] Six basements were dug.
By October 2021 the lift cores for both the Dorsett hotel and Rosewood hotels had reached level 21.[15] In the same month it was reported that 98% of the residencies had already been purchased.[16]
In September 2022, the Sky Deck was raised into place.[17] This involved the placement of a 175-tonne piece of steel, 100 metres above ground level, between the two curved towers. The Sky Deck will extend 250 metres around the top of two towers.
Design and location
Queens Wharf from across the Brisbane River
The design aims to integrate tourism, leisure and entertainment facilities[18] in an underutilized part of the city. The site includes 11 state-owned heritage sites.[18] Nine of the sites are open to the public.[5] Queen's Wharf covers a total 12 hectares. Along the river a new mangrove walk will wind along the Riverside Expressway. The existing bikeway will be upgraded and a new waterline park has been built. Seven and a half hectares of space have been allocated as public.[5] The Sky Deck will be positioned 100 metres above William Street.
Queen's Wharf consists of four towers situated atop a seven-storey podium and a five-level basement.[19] The tallest building is known as the Queen’s Wharf Residence and is divided into Emerald, Ruby and Diamond tiers[20] with a penthouse apartment.
Japanese fine dining will be available at Sokyo restaurant.[21] Fat Noodle is bringing Luke Nguyen dishes featuring South East Asian flavours.[22] Cucina Regina will serve Italian meals in a 160-seat restaurant, serving inside and out.[23] Cicada Blu, an open-air bar and Euro-inspired eatery called Aloria will both be located on the Sky Deck.[6] Velo Café is a two-storey riverside bikeway café built on the Bicentennial Bikeway that will cater to cyclists.[24] Black Hide Steak & Seafood will move from the Treasury Brisbane to the new precinct into a 240-seat restaurant.[25] It will be the largest of the three restaurants on the venue’s terrace.[25] The Latin American-inspired Azteca can seat 126 people.[26] Lúc Lắc has created a lush, indoor-outdoor, tropical setting for a Indochine restaurant and bar that can seat 159 people.[27]
Hotels
The three hotels included in the complex are the Star Grand hotel, Dorsett hotel and Rosewood hotel. The luxury five star Star Grand hotel occupies towers two and three, which are the two curved towers.[28] The Star Grand features 340 luxury rooms and a 360-degree signature cocktail bar.[29] The Star’s façade is equipped with 350 lighting pillars which are used for various lighting displays.[30]
The Dorsett and Rosewood hotels are due to open at the end of 2026.[31]
