Howard Smith Wharves revitalisation
Brisbane’s last remaining city centre wharf site, the Howard Smith Wharves, is now being rejuvenated.
Construction work has begun with the $110 million Howard Smith Wharves Revitalisation project commencing last week.
The 3.43 hectare site will get a luxury hotel, park and public open spaces.
Work is scheduled to be completed in 2018.
The plan, according to Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk, is to deliver a world class waterfront destination which would further enhance Brisbane’s position as a New World City.
“For many decades Howard Smith Wharves have been sitting disused, however, this dynamic project will unlock the historically significant site’s full potential as an entertainment and lifestyle precinct,” Cr Quirk told Spice News.
“This development, undertaken by successful tenderer The Howard Smith Wharves (HSW) Consortium, will deliver a five star, 164 room Art Series Hotel as well as parkland, a 1500 square metre exhibition space, restaurants and bars.
“The existing heritage-listed buildings will form a feature of the redevelopment and, once meticulously restored, will become home to lively river’s edge restaurants, bars, a craft brewery and function spaces.”
Infrastructure chair Cr Amanda Cooper said the parkland would be turned into a showcase inner green space for a range of new leisure and lifestyle activities under the city’s iconic Story Bridge.
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to reimagine one of the last remaining inner-city reaches of the Brisbane River, with dedicated rock climbing areas, cycling and pedestrian facilities linking to Riverwalk, as well as a new river’s edge amphitheatre seating area,” Cr Cooper told Spice News.
“Around 80 per cent of the total site will be public parkland and open space and will be easily accessible from Riverwalk, or through two new cliff-face lifts at Bowen Terrace and Wilson’s Outlook.”
The design and construction of the park and open space areas will be managed by the HSW Consortium and the Deague Group will have responsibility for the hotel development and operation.
The Howard Smith Wharves Art Series Hotel would be the Deague Group’s eighth hotel and second venture into the Brisbane market.
by Leon Gettler, June 1st 2017
