What, a Pie Face or GYG?

GYG

they are opening a pie face across from cibo espresso at chermside as well .. I just sighed when the security guard told me what it was going to be.

For those that don't know, GYG are going in at Carindale too.

GYG

Im not sure - but now that I think about it maybe it will go where the new Coffee club is under that new building built on the cnr of Albert and Charlotte st (cant think of the building name)

Thats all we need !!!

Is there a Guzman Y Gomez in the city??? I don't think there is. I think they should put one somewhere in town.


They are putting one in the Wintergarden - also there is a new escalator that has opened going up to Strike from the mall.

Im not sure - but now that I think about it maybe it will go where the new Coffee club is under that new building built on the cnr of Albert and Charlotte st (cant think of the building name)

"TCC - Espresso"?

^^ This TCC Espresso, is it in a separate shop front to The Coffee Club? Or do they just set up a coffee cart out front or something? Can't imagine why anyone would pay money for a Coffee Club cup of brown water, especially with other, better options just a short walk down Charlotte Street.

They are putting one in the Wintergarden - also there is a new escalator that has opened going up to Strike from the mall.

Wasn't there always an escalator going up to Level 3? Right over near the Regent I think it was. I have noticed that the new entrance point for O'Malley's is now open over near the elevators. I wonder if the stairs up to the old temporary entrance will go too? They're a waste of space now really...

^^ This TCC Espresso, is it in a separate shop front to The Coffee Club? Or do they just set up a coffee cart out front or something? Can't imagine why anyone would pay money for a Coffee Club cup of brown water, especially with other, better options just a short walk down Charlotte Street.



Wasn't there always an escalator going up to Level 3? Right over near the Regent I think it was. I have noticed that the new entrance point for O'Malley's is now open over near the elevators. I wonder if the stairs up to the old temporary entrance will go too? They're a waste of space now really...

They have been gone about a week :)

^^ The stairs? Great to hear that! Should really help to make the place less pokey, particularly near the bar!

^^ This TCC Espresso, is it in a separate shop front to The Coffee Club? Or do they just set up a coffee cart out front or something? Can't imagine why anyone would pay money for a Coffee Club cup of brown water, especially with other, better options just a short walk down Charlotte Street.

Yeah exactly. It is directly across from the full size chain. 'Spose to catch all the staff within the tower above?

^^ The stairs? Great to hear that! Should really help to make the place less pokey, particularly near the bar!

It seems wrong inside, they need to put booths or something there, it is just tables at the moment and it feels out of place.

Brisbane is on the banner today!!!!!

It looks good! Personally it's not my favourite view of the city skyline, but it definitely shows some massive density happening!

Good pic too!

well done Jesse. The comments seem to be showing a lot of love for soleil :p

While it does look rather treeless and plastic looking, its a great shot showing off how big the skyline actually is, especially having recalled a few bannners showing such places as Philidelphia or Austin who's skylines, well, they tried.

One amusing thing about the view in the banner, is that when Infinity is built, that view will look rather ridiculous.

Or cool. I can't work out which.

Thanks, it isn't Brisbane's best angle but it shows off the density.

I must be the only one who doesn't like it at all. Very ugly angle.

Yesterday and today the Brisbane Times have had some articles discussing the future uses heritage listed Boggo Road Prison and how to integrate it into Leighton's planned Boggo Road TOD. Should be kept as an unchanged historical site running tours through it, or should it be refurbished for modern uses a la The Barracks or should it/could it be a combination of both?

Today's Article:

Walking the line: the future of Boggo Road
Tony Moore
December 21, 2011 - 3:00AM
Read later Comments 5

http://images.brisbanetimes.com.au/2011/12/20/2851241/729boggoroad5-420x0.jpg
The future of the notorious Boggo Road prison at Annerley is up in the air.

Brisbane's Boggo Road prison is walking the line as planning for its future begins.

On one side it could be a stand-alone tourist attraction with visitors paying to go inside the notorious prison, to see re-enactments, visit a prison museum and possibly purchase souvenirs.

On the other side is the option of an open heritage-listed building with coffee shops, restaurants, nightclubs and affordable housing, allowing for some form of visitor experience of the old prison.

http://images.brisbanetimes.com.au/2011/12/20/2850944/729boggoroadjail-420x0.jpg
Jack Sim says tourists operators should be able to operate inside the prison. Photo: Tony Moore

Conference facilities are also in the mix.

All decisions on its future are wrapped in a $275 million land use debate, which has to provide a mix of affordable housing at the end.

Leighton Properties in September 2011 won the contract to develop the second stage of the Boggo Road Urban Village project which includes the old prison buildings.

http://images.brisbanetimes.com.au/2011/12/19/2849098/boggoroad2-420x0.jpg
Before Boggo Road jail was a prison for men it was a women's prison. Photo: Tony Moore

The Brisbane-based project manager of the village Adam DiMarco said Leightons appreciated the dilemma they had to resolve.

After questions were asked by brisbanetimes.com.au, it was Andrew Borger, Leighton's National Head of Commercial Properties in Sydney, who said decisions were nine months away.

A station for Cross River Rail has to be found, Mr Borger said.

http://images.brisbanetimes.com.au/2011/12/20/2851217/729boggoroad4-420x0.jpg
Inside the grounds of Boggo Road prison.

Where it would be located is difficult to tell, but he made the point that Boggo Road is a "transit-oriented development", meaning there will be units, where today there are none.

"Leighton Properties will develop a genuine mixed-use development, which incorporates residential apartments, retail offerings and office space," he said.

It is unclear how the prison buildings fit into this, because no person was available to answer questions, after written answers to questions were forwarded.

"We see great value in the jail's architectural and social significance as a significant contributor to the immediate area and the region, and any attempts to readapt the jail will be sympathetic to it's cultural heritage," was the written reply.

Tourist bodies, like Jack Sim's "Ghost Tours", who ran re-enactments of Boggo Road prison life from 1998 to 2006, will be included in these talks.

"We have met with a variety of stakeholders including the Boggo Road Gaol Historical Society, Jack Sim of Ghost Tours and the National Trust," Mr Borger said.

"How these groups and their intentions may be incorporated into the overall vision for the site will emerge over time."

There is, as yet, no clear indication of what Leighton's have in mind, although Andrew Borger makes it clear changes will have to be made.

"The jail in its current state is uninhabitable," he said.

"Our ambition would be to provide an alternative plan which interprets and preserves our heritage and allows the State Government to welcome the community back to this public asset on a long term basis."

Mr Sim now runs a series of theatrical "ghost tours" and "crime tours" around Brisbane's cemeteries and nightspots.

He said tourist operators – like himself – should be able to run well-managed and well-resourced themed tours of Brisbane's formerly notorious prison.

He now employs 30 people in a growing tourist operation, partly stymied by being locked out of Boggo Road jail.

In his opinion organised tours and specialist "themed" conference facilities for groups of up to 100 delegates should be the future for Boggo Road prison.

Mr Sim is aware he has a vested interest in the jail's future but he sees no place for coffee shops, restaurants, nightclubs, backpackers' accommodation or office space.

"I don't mind the idea of there being on site catering but I think that catering has to be complementing tours," he said.

For eight years, Jack Sim's "Prison Players" had "actors" playing guards, jail wardens, prisoners and jail matrons to give visitors an authentic feel of jail life.

They would greet visitors in the closed front gate, grant them access to the "prison", sign them in with authentic looking "passes", have them sign a visitors book and have a "prison guard" let them visit the cells and yards, while "prisoners" kept at their daily routines.

"People have died here, people have lost their youth here, jail officers worked their entire careers here," he said.

"It is a place of great seriousness and it is important that it is treated with a certain degree of reverence."

"If it is thrown completely open with general access to every nook and cranny then it won't be long for the public to stop seeing it for what it is, a closed-off, notorious sort of place."

On Tuesday, the Boggo Road Jail Historical Society also said they had concerns at how the prison would fit in next to plans for an underground rail station and a proposed modern retail area.

Leightons last night said the retail strip was still only in its earliest "concept" stages.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/walking-the-line-the-future-of-boggo-road-20111220-1p3yw.html#ixzz1h7XYBcf5

Yesterday's Article:

Chained to your desk: Office plans for old prison
Tony Moore
December 20, 2011
Read later Comments 8

Part of Brisbane's infamous Boggo Road Prison could become office space while there are questions of the impact of excavation under the prison for a nearby underground rail station.

But the Boggo Road Jail Historical Society has urged caution in any moves to commercialise the heritage-listed buildings.

The Boggo Road jail, at Annerley in Brisbane's south, was the city's most notorious prison and housed Whiskey Au Go Go murderers John Stuart and James Finch in the late 1970s, among hardened criminals. It closed in 1989.

In late September, the Queensland government announced Leightons would build the $275 million second phase of the Boggo Road Urban Development on the jail site on Annerley Road.

BRHS secretary Chris Dawson said all of Boggo Road Prison, which opened in 1901 as a women's prison, had been on the Queensland Heritage Register since 1992.

However, he was concerned about plans to "commercialise" the prison site and of the impact of an underground train station at Boggo Road, which was planned as part of the Cross River Rail project.

"They were interested in the commercial re-use of at least one of the three cell-block wings there," Mr Dawson said.

"And for the life of me I can't work out what that would be."

The Cross River Rail station, plus a planned retail strip, will be squeezed between the new EcoSciences Building on the site and the old Boggo Road prison walls.

Mr Dawson, an historian, said the BRHS knew little of what was planned for the future of the site.

"It is in the planning stage now with Leighton Properties and that only started in October and it will go on until next June," he said.

"Their job is to come up with a management plan for the prison site that will mix historical use with commercial use."

Any recommendations have to be approved by the Queensland Heritage Council.

"[Office space] is an option, but the problem with that is that it was opened in 1903 and it really doesn't meet modern health and safety standards, especially in terms of disabled access," he said.

Mr Dawson said the site could be transformed into a popular tourist attraction.

"It could be a very successful site when you look at Fremantle and Melbourne (jails)," he said.

"It is not as large as those, but it is still a very good site because it is so close to the city."

Mr Dawson said the side of the jail, beside the EcoSciences Building, where Sunday markets began six weeks ago, was earmarked for both a retail area and access to the Cross River Rail.

"The retail strip will run down between the jail and the EcoSciences Building, so it is going to be squeezed in there," he said.

"And I am not too sure what is going on there because it is also supposed to be more or less the location for an underground train station, for the Cross River Rail.

"So there is another spanner in the works.

"With the large amount of excavation, it is another thing that is making the future of the site that little bit less clear."

A Department of Public Works spokeswoman said the government had only just started planning the site's future.

"The investigation into options for the jail redevelopment commenced in September 2011," she said.

"The investigation is in the very early stages, and the first phase has involved initial consultation with key stakeholders.

"It will span nine to 12 months, and at the end of that period, recommendations will be made to the Queensland government."

Last week, the Regent Theatre Historical Society expressed concerns that heritage was being lost from the Brisbane iconic building after original horse hair plaster from the early 20th century was found in parts of the building that was supposedly mostly replica plaster.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/chained-to-your-desk-office-plans-for-old-prison-20111219-1p2bs.html#ixzz1h7ZCLPrb

It's the eeriest jail. I did a tour of it a few years ago. The drawings on the cell walls, the lists of names the inmates would write... and they drew dicks everywhere :lol:

It's amazing that the facility actually operated as a jail as late as the 1980s! Being built in 1903, it couldn't have been a particularly pleasant facility at the end of it's life, even by jail standards!

Jack Sim does a good job, I've heard him on the radio a few times telling stories about Brisbane's past. I've been meaning to do one of his tours for ages. I went to a couple of movie nights at Boggo Road (Carrie and Rocky Horror) when he used to do those and it was pretty good. Very creepy place. It must have been terrible for the prisoners at Boggo Road if they could see or smell the pizzas and ribs at Ribbets accross the street.

Although with some of the stories I've heard about Boggo Rd missing pizza would have been the least of your worries.

A lot of the old gaol is gone, just this one section remaining which was one of the older parts.

80's from Park Road Station
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/4294/trainatparkroad.jpg

90's aerials
http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/9829/brisbaneboggord1.jpg

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/6365/brisbaneboggord2.jpg

^^ Great aerials Aussie Bhoy! And you're right, of the original 1880s jail (Division 1), only remnants of it remain, with it being demolished from the 1960s to facilitate the modern jail seen in the aerials.

Original Division 1's gatehouse.

http://www.boggoroadjail.net/div1gate.jpg

Original Division 1 is the foreground site, with Division 2 to the upper left.

http://www.boggoroadjail.net/1952a.JPG

According to boggoroadjail.net (http://www.boggoroadjail.net) (the source of these images), the remaining remnants include the remains of a 1920s tunnel that linked the two Divisions, and the remains of a late 1800s Cistern. The Cistern is now under the Ecosciences Precinct, and the tunnel has probably been filled in, although nothing is

Division 2, built in 1903 as the Women's Prision, is the main remaining portion which is relatively intact.

http://www.boggoroadjail.net/gate1.jpg

http://www.boggoroadjail.net/bogga1929a.JPG

Here is the whole site in 2007 (before Ecosciences was built) showing the location of various elements:

http://www.boggoroadjail.net/google.JPG


And here's the site now (well, at November 7th):

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/2152/screenshot20111221at111.png (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/401/screenshot20111221at111.png/)

http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/2152/screenshot20111221at111.png (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/824/screenshot20111221at111.png/)

too bad ecosciences is incredibly ugly. Just as brutalism and concrete defined the 60's and 70's, pastels in the 90's, In just 10 years time we will look back and cringe at this example of typical '2000's architecture'

Although it is more domestic architecture theser days that makes me want to cry

http://splitlevelhomes.com.au/images/Sorrento%20Split%20Level%20MetroSkillion.jpg :puke:

/rant


On another note, I think the barracks was very succesfull, and looks hot as well

I'll agree with you about modern residential architecture (in the majority of cases, there are still some nicer examples out there) but I don't hate the Ecosciences complex (not like I hate Trustee House, for example). It really doesn't look that bad, and looks pretty cool at night:

http://cdn.archdaily.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/1302052746-813-01-02-ph-christopher-frederick--jones.jpg

http://cdn.archdaily.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/1302052750-813-01-01-ph-christopher-frederick--jones.jpg

*Image Source (http://www.archdaily.com/125407/ecosciences-precinct-hassell/)

I was being a little harsh, but that is its most flattering angle :p. The view from the busway is considerably worse

too bad ecosciences is incredibly ugly. Just as brutalism and concrete defined the 60's and 70's, pastels in the 90's, In just 10 years time we will look back and cringe at this example of typical '2000's architecture'

Although it is more domestic architecture theser days that makes me want to cry

http://splitlevelhomes.com.au/images/Sorrento%20Split%20Level%20MetroSkillion.jpg :puke:

/rant


On another note, I think the barracks was very succesfull, and looks hot as well

And looks nothing like the Queenslander style homes that dominated the suburbs for many many years. The houses in the outer suburbs are akin to that in any city.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sw6UK68EJeQ/TeSKETuUyOI/AAAAAAAAU5g/P4gayji0VpI/s1600/display-home.jpg

Classy

I dont hate the ecosciences building and don't love it but its better than what was there before and is really cool inside.

The ecosciences building actually won the QLD master builders building of the year award, beating out Oracle in Broadbeach.

So obviously some people find it quite an attractive building. I will say the inside of it though is pretty cool, it has a large atrium in the middle of it.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sw6UK68EJeQ/TeSKETuUyOI/AAAAAAAAU5g/P4gayji0VpI/s1600/display-home.jpg

Classy

Looks more outer Melbourne suburban than something in Queensland.

Looks more outer Melbourne suburban than something in Queensland.

Actually most Melbourne homes are single story...

^^ I'm staying in Balwyn* now and everything around here is two storeys.

lól

For anyone having drinks around Brisbane this week, try out Super Whatnot, which opened up in Burnett Lane on Thursday! A great little venue with a good selection of craft beers. I only ducked in quickly, but from what I saw of the place, I'll definitely be back!

For those interested in Boggo Road - Here is a Seven News Flashback report aired in 2010.

wBqXTKLyScY

NathanDavid88 - thanks for the tip (Super Whatnot) I will try and post some photos from the floor looking up later this week.

^^ Please do! It's an amazing looking venue and a new favourite of mine! It's got a completely different vibe to Brew, which is good as they shouldn't step on each other's toes! Now to wait for the Survey Company Bar & Bistro to open down opposite Lennons!

And thanks for the Boggo Road video Fabs! A very interesting little snippet of the site's history!

I want to go there now and take some photos.

^^ Please do! It's an amazing looking venue and a new favourite of mine! It's got a completely different vibe to Brew, which is good as they shouldn't step on each other's toes! Now to wait for the Survey Company Bar & Bistro to open down opposite Lennons!

And thanks for the Boggo Road video Fabs! A very interesting little snippet of the site's history!

Survey Co's seating is being installed at the moment.....looks like they are going for booths.

Waterfront has lost another pane of glass. On the river side this time.

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/waterfront-woes-glass-plunges-from-23rd-floor-20111228-1pc7g.html

And we've been told to expect more such incidents from that tower.

Why they weren't forced to reclad the building in the first place, I don't know? The canopies at the bottom to collect the glass is ridiculous. All it takes is one person to die...

They need to watch that bit in the movie "Earthquake" where the woman is killed instantly when a window pane smashes on her head.

They need to watch that bit in the movie "Earthquake" where the woman is killed instantly when a window pane smashes on her head.

But they might see Final Destination 2 where replacing glass causes a sheet to fall and kill a guy, and decide not to do anything at all.

^^
Fairly sure this is how you die when glass falls on you...

cU4ocm78yHk

The glass is shattering before it falls. There is very little chance of serious injury.

The glass is shattering before it falls. There is very little chance of serious injury.

Tell that to the guy in the previous post :(

You'd get shards stuck into your skull and skin. Ouch!! If you hear glass falling, don't look up, you'll go blind :(

Thats what happened to the lady in Earthquake.

7:05 on this clip.

GYQNTuhSKH4

haha that was a little underwhelming fabian :P

//

I've managed a screen grab.

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/6725/7digital01012012124933m.jpg
By fabianamuso (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/fabianamuso) at 2012-01-01

Thats got to be the longest disaster scene i've ever seen!

Its the so called "big one" and on the richter scale in the movie it was a 9.9.

The movie itself was replayed on Sunday on Channel 7.

Silly movie. It was in Sensurround too. Saw it at the George AKA Dendy AKA Tribal. One man who survived was a chef who got boiling water tipped on him, and these women were pushed out of a building by a crowd. Charlton Heston acted all alpha male trying to save all but ended up a victim. Actually, that was not a bad ending ;)

Sadly, this is possible for LA so think twice before holidaying there :)

I thought the guy with the boiling water died? Where did he turn up later in the movie?
No earthquake film has been able to replicate the success of Earthquake, which are generally made for TV films.

And with the women pushed out are you talking about the two in the screen grab or other ladies?

http://images.brisbanetimes.com.au/2012/01/04/2873173/729hoppa-420x0.jpg

awwww :(


'Hopoate' building loses its muse

Tony Moore

January 5, 2012 - 3:00AM


The well-known sculpture on Eagle Street before it was removed. Photo: journeyjottings.com


One of Brisbane's most well-known examples of street art, which has seen an Eagle Street building colloquially known as the "Hopoate building", has disappeared.

The well-known sculpture of an up-pointed finger outside 175 Eagle Street, near Customs House, was vandalised over the Christmas period and has been sent off for repairs.
However, while it will be repaired and returned in the short-term, it may not be a permanent Eagle Street feature in the future.


http://images.brisbanetimes.com.au/2012/01/04/2873659/729johnhopoate-420x0.jpg Notorious former NRL star John Hopoate during his playing days. Photo: Adam Pretty/Getty Images


One half of Sebastian Di Mauro's sculpture Chat, but better known as the "Hopoate Finger", was vandalised just before Christmas.
A spokeswoman for the building's new owners, Charter Hall, said the sculpture was now being repaired by Di Mauro.
Di Mauro's aluminium sculpture includes two hands, one at ground level and another with the hand pointing to the sky.
The sculpture's popular moniker refers to controversial former rugby league player John Hopoate, who gained notoriety for poking opposing players in the backside in 2001.
Brisbane taxi driver Richard Metcalfe said drivers knew the building at 175 Eagle Street as the "Hopoate Building" in a cheeky response to the rugby league controversy.
"As soon as it went up, that's what they would call it," he said.
Mr Metcalfe said, in his observation, the sculpture was popular with Brisbane tourists.
"You get a lot of tourists taking their photograph there," he said.
However, Chat's impending return may be short-lived after the riverside building gets a $25 million ground-floor makeover.
The Charter Hall spokeswoman said while Chat would be returned to its original location, it may be shifted in the longer term.
"We are actually going to look at the foyer during that refurbishment and we are going through the design at the moment, " she said.
"We don't know at the minute (whether it will stay). We are doing a whole review of the foyer and that open area of the building, so it is too early comment on whether it will remain.
"But I do know they are going to put it back after it is repaired."
Charter Hall last year announced a $25 million refurbishment and upgrade of 175 Eagle Street, including the building entries and lobbies on the ground floor.
When the design is finalised, it will go to Brisbane City Council for approval.
This is expected to be completed in two months




Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/hopoate-building-loses-its-muse-20120104-1pl2e.html#ixzz1ib2JVWhH

The Australian National Retailers Association is pushing the QLD govt to relax trading hours. It seems from the poll on that page that an obvious majority (74% atm) support this, but the politicians quoted in the article still insist on living in the 19th century.

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/small-business/dont-extend-queensland-trading-hours-say-pollies-20120106-1pnlo.html

^^ Sometimes I hate Queensland.

^^
At least we're not Western Australia!! They don't even have Sunday trading in most places!!

76% now. I think its obvious that the clear majority of Metro SEQ wants extended hours. The fact that grocery stores close at 5pm on Saturday is just pure stupidity and an embarrassment for Australia's 3rd largest city.

76% now. I think its obvious that the clear majority of Metro SEQ wants extended hours. The fact that grocery stores close at 5pm on Saturday is just pure stupidity and an embarrassment for Australia's 3rd largest city.

I think Coles New Farm is open till 9pm 7 days a week now.

7am-9pm
I feel sorry for their staff. Midnight finish on a Saturday night? bleh!
Though from the consumers perspective, it is stupid that the only places you can get your groceries on a saturday night is from a nightowl which is expensive. Or perhaps an IGA, which is open until midnight.

7am-9pm
I feel sorry for their staff. Midnight finish on a Saturday night? bleh!

If they don't like it, they don't have to work there. There are plenty of people willing to work those hours and plenty of customers willing to take advantage of it. Nobody loses except the whiners who want a full time wage for working twenty hours a week.

76% now. I think its obvious that the clear majority of Metro SEQ wants extended hours. The fact that grocery stores close at 5pm on Saturday is just pure stupidity and an embarrassment for Australia's 3rd largest city.

I agree, 5pm Saturday close is a bit ridiculous, a lot different to here in Asia where I am. 7pm close would be alright IMO, but I don't see why stores need to be open till 10pm or midnight.

In a place like the Gold Coast, yeah, maybe it would be ok at some stores, but the stores should put on extra staff, not overwork existing staff.

I'd support stores being open until 10pm and until 7pm on weekends. For the christmas period our store was open until midnight one night and not a single customer used the store after around 10:30pm, plenty of people between 9 and 10 though.

I agree, 5pm Saturday close is a bit ridiculous, a lot different to here in Asia where I am. 7pm close would be alright IMO, but I don't see why stores need to be open till 10pm or midnight.

In a place like the Gold Coast, yeah, maybe it would be ok at some stores, but the stores should put on extra staff, not overwork existing staff.

I live in Asia too and I LOVE the 10/11o'clock close. It's perfect. If things shut here any earlier than 8 it wouldn't seem right.

On the topic of Brisbane- in Summer especially, when the sun doesn't set till after 7, having extending hours makes so much sense. It's still broad daylight out and the stores are all shut. What do people expect everyone to do? Sit at home and watch TV?

Pros of extended hours = higher safety at night, better atmosphere, more availability for office workers, more shifts for shift workers, improvements to the economy (debatable?).

Stores should be allowed to open whenever they want. The only restriction justifiable to me is days like Christmas Day and even then in time that will probably come to be less important.

I've seen in London where a store was not allowed to trade until noon (or whatever time it was) so they opened at 11am for browsing only with signs saying no purchases can be made until 12.

Why do retailers even have these laws applied to them? How many other industries have laws regulating when they can conduct business?

I've heard from people who work Saturday nights in supermarkets here in NSW that they find it to be the quietest time for trading during the week. Many supermarkets trade until 10pm or midnight on Saturdays.

improvements to the economy (debatable?).

Not debatable at all, the Productivity Commission believes it would be of certain benefit. Their report from Nov 2011 includes a nationwide investigation on trading hours and concludes:

RECOMMENDATION 10.1
Retail trading hours should be fully deregulated in all states (including on public holidays).

Chapter: http://www.pc.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/113775/13-retail-industry-chapter10.pdf
Full report: http://www.pc.gov.au/projects/inquiry/retail-industry/report

architecture&design


World's best new hotel: Queensland designed Abu Dhabi project wins

18 January 2012

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii149/brizer_foto/ME%20Abu%20Dhabi/120118_Etihad2.jpg

A billion dollar Abu Dhabi development designed by Queensland architects DBI Design has trumped major projects in cities like Paris, Hong Kong and London to be named ‘World’s Leading New Hotel’ in the World Travel Awards.

The Jumeirah at Etihad Towers was chosen ahead of Mandarin Oriental Paris, The Ritz Carlton Hong Kong, The Park Hyderabad, Hotel Missoni Edinburgh and W Hotel London to take out the coveted title at the awards, held in Qatar recently.

DBI Design is the firm behind FKP’s $210 million The Milton in Brisbane, which is set to be the city’s first major integrated Transit Oriented Development (TOD), with construction scheduled to commence in mid-2012.

DBI Design managing director Warren Coyle said the award was recognition of the skill that existed in Queensland.

“The development’s design went up against some of the world’s best and won,” he said.

“The vast majority of our architectural design and engineering work was done right here in Brisbane, so it really does show the talent we have in Queensland.We can design projects that truly are world-leading.”

Coyle said the company had been awarded the commission to design, engineer and fit-out the five tower development, worth US$1 billion, after an international competition.

“A representative for one of the major UAE developers had purchased an apartment in Ultra in Broadbeach, a development that we designed, and was so impressed with the project that he invited us to take part in the competition,” he said.

“We went up against six major firms, including some of the world’s largest architectural firms from, USA, United Kingdom and Singapore.

“We were delighted to be chosen to undertake the project against such high calibre competition, so for the development to win this award, and a number of others, is great recognition of the quality of the design.”

Construction started in 2006 and the five towers, which included the 400 room Jumeirah hotel and 200 serviced apartments, was finished in November 2011.

The three residential buildings, housing roughly 800 apartments, a commercial office tower, and convention centre and retail space were also completed in November 2011.

The World Travel Awards winners were announced at a Grand Final Gala Ceremony in Doha, Qatar, on January 11, 2012.
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii149/brizer_foto/ME%20Abu%20Dhabi/120118_Etihadnight_DBIdesign.jpg





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Tags: awards | DBI Design | international | Queensland

Check this out. Indro Shopping Centre expansion has been approved. With further residential development, this is going to be one amazing area!!!

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/indooroopilly-set-for-450m-overhaul-20120118-1q5n0.html

i always loathed going to indro, it's too much of a mission getting there and back again.

i always loathed going to indro, it's too much of a mission getting there and back again.

Not really, My biggest irritant is that it has the worlds worst car park, completely clusterfuck

It cannot be that hard when its not too far to the city. Much easier than trekking to Chermside.

depends where you live (statement of the obvious sorry :P) but i lived inner north and had to either go through redhill/rosalie or icb to corronation/milon etc to get there. chermside was str8 out lutwyche road.

having said that, for anything other than groceries, you're better off just going into the city, i never understood why people would choose to go to these shopping centres. without being judgmental (cause thats a factor too :P), they're just more of a pain in the arse then anything. i just don't understand why.

Just for anyone too lazy to click the link:

Indooroopilly set for $450m overhaul
Amy Remeikis
January 18, 2012 - 12:27PM
Read laterComments 1

http://images.brisbanetimes.com.au/2012/01/18/2899990/art-Indooroopilly_-5BArtist-20Impression_Moggill-20Rd-5D_MEDIA-420x0.jpg
An artist's impression of the redeveloped Indooroopilly Shopping Centre. Photo: Supplied

Indooroopilly shopping centre is set for a major facelift, with a $450 million expansion green lit by planning authorities.

Eureka Funds Management, who manages the superannuation trust which holds a 50 per cent share in the centre, announced development approval had been obtained and work on the 30,000 square metre addition would begin within the first quarter of this year.

Once the expansion is completed, the shopping centre will have 115,000 square metres of retail space, with around 340 retailers.


http://images.brisbanetimes.com.au/2012/01/18/2899991/art-Indooroopilly_-5BArtist-20Impression_Station-20Rd-5D_MEDIA-420x0.jpg
An artist's impression of the redeveloped Indooroopilly Shopping Centre. Photo: Supplied

Currently, Indooroopilly houses 250 retailers.

David Jones will move into the centre, while the existing Myer department store will be reconfigured over two floors.

A new mall and food court, as well as extra car parks and an upgrade to the external walls and existing retail precincts are included in the plans.

Eureka Funds Management managing director Bob Kelly said the expansion and upgrade had been in the works for years, with his team working with the Brisbane City Council and “various” state government agencies to have the plans approved.

The shopping centre expansion is another boost for the area and follows the announcement of a draft neighbour plan by Brisbane City Council late last year.

Under the council plan, buildings of up to 20 storeys will be allowed near the shopping centre and rail station complex, while the western side of Witton Barracks and the Walter Taylor Bridge was set aside for “future transport infrastructure.”

Indooroopilly Shopping Centre was opened in the 1970s.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/indooroopilly-set-for-450m-overhaul-20120118-1q5n0.html#ixzz1jmRHRT8h

I've only been out to Indooroopilly once, but it wasn't a bad shopping centre. I little old looking, but decent choice in specialty shops, and has the city's only Levi's shop as well (ok, there's an outlet at DFO, but... well, just no!), which was a good find as I pretty well live in jeans! There are much worse centres out there!

I agree with Danubis. Finding a park is just ghastly.....and then there are the people!
The city is much better IMO.

Finding a park is even harder and there are more people in the city...

I work in retail leasing and I hate shopping centres. With a centre as big as Indroo will be you'll end up having 2 of everything because people won't walk from one end to the other.

The Blue Cat chocolatier on Albert St is now called Chocolate Moments. IDK if its a management change too.

I work in retail leasing and I hate shopping centres. With a centre as big as Indroo will be you'll end up having 2 of everything because people won't walk from one end to the other.

That describes the approach of my most hated type of store in most shopping centres – mobile phone shops, especially Vodafone stores. The Hyperdome for some unknown reason has THREE Vodafail stores – one centre kiosk and two proper stores...WHY???

Other than that, I don't necessarily mind shopping centres. The ones with decent management generally do well to attract different retailers as opposed to doubling up. The QIC-owned Hyperdome for example. Apart from the 3 Vodafails, 2 toxic-nail salons, 2 Strandbags and 2 Donut Kings, there's no other double ups in the centre, and enough variety in the stores to make do with if I want/need something and don't really feel like going on a 45 minute bus trip into the City. The only majors it's missing are a Target (there's one 10 mins up the road at Springwood) and a David Jones (25 mins up the road at Garden City). Is it better than the variety and experience of shopping in the CBD? Not in the least! But I would still miss having it if it wasn't there.

The reason there are 3 Vodaphones is due to the fact there would have been a "3" dealer and Vodaphone bought them and tried to offload a lot of there stores, but if they were too expensive to off load (ie too long left on the lease) they re-branded them.

You'll also find that even though there are a lot of single shops they will all be owned by a couple of companies. Ie Cotton On, Ruby shoes and Typo are all part of the Cotton On Group. Autograph, Crossroads, Millers, Katies, City Chic & La Senza are all part of the Specialty Fashion Group. Tarocash, YD, Connor are part of the Retail Apparel Group. Flight Centre, Escape Travel, Student Flights, Cruisabout, Travel Associates, COrporate Traveller are all part of Flight Centre Limited. Coles, Bunnings, Liquorland, Office Works, Target, K-mart, Vintage Cellars, 1st Choice Liquor, Bi-Lo and a bunch of other industrial / resources business are part of Wesfarmers.

I could go on with a lot more examplse of retailers who have multiple brands in the one centre. Often they will have 3-4 shops across diferent brands and will squeeze their opposition out of the centre as the centre's try to get a good mix of brands. Even though it looks like there is competition and a selection of brands, often you'll find that most of the retailers corner their niche of the market and monopolise it as much as they can get away with.

^^ Yeah, that's what happened re the vodafail stores, two were former 3 Stores that they've rebranded, but they rebranded quite early so surely their leases must be ending soonish!

As for retailers, I know about the corporate groups that own many of the brands we see. I work for a retail group who owns multiple brands as well, and I just think of that as the nature of the industry. Every industry is host to companies that are represented in the market by multiple brands. From cars (VW, Audi, Skoda, Bentley, Lamborghini, MAN and Scania are all VW Group companies), to upmarket brands (Louis Vuttion, TAG Heuer, Bulgari, DKNY, Moet et Chandon and Hennessy are all by owned by LVMH).

Besides, the multibrand groups are just as prevalent and represented in the main CBD strips around the country, as they are in major shopping centres. There is still competition from the actual groups battling against each other for supremacy. The only time the major group issue really annoys me is with the older and/or smaller centres that are Wesfarmers/Coles Group or Woolworths dominated in terms of their majors, and may have only have one of the specialty store groups present.

These days, the independents are able to fight back more effectively by selling things over the internet, and by opening up in areas that are a bit off the beaten track but still reasonably well known of by their prospective customers – Winn Lane, Brunswick St and (to an extent) James St in the Valley for example.

^^ Yeah, that's what happened re the vodafail stores, two were former 3 Stores that they've rebranded, but they rebranded quite early so surely their leases must be ending soonish!

As for retailers, I know about the corporate groups that own many of the brands we see. I work for a retail group who owns multiple brands as well, and I just think of that as the nature of the industry. Every industry is host to companies that are represented in the market by multiple brands. From cars (VW, Audi, Skoda, Bentley, Lamborghini, MAN and Scania are all VW Group companies), to upmarket brands (Louis Vuttion, TAG Heuer, Bulgari, DKNY, Moet et Chandon and Hennessy are all by owned by LVMH).


This is why like Carindale and Mt Ommaney it will be another epic fail of boring shops for over cashed school girls wanting to look hot for boyfriends (a futile thing to do as Australian males are not worth it) with Supre, Dotti, Diva and other trash, probably the exact same stores that will be at Mt Omm will be at Indoor.

I know one cannot force retailers to come, but so much expectation is put on the Westfields and centres like Indoor to become high-end brand spaces. This is what was expected of Carindale; I have been to Doncaster Westfield and it runs rings around Chermside in terms of names and well-designed non-cluttered malls.

I know we can't get a Bondi/Chadstone thing, but surely some class should be considered in the new Indoor not just a Gen Y Jay Jays/Jeans West outlet type bunch of shops. Secondly, why another David Jones. You go to DJ's and generally don't get served, the Gen Y's are more interested in updating Facebook and Twitter and consider you a pest and they don't know product knowledge. One shop assistant said to me that they really don't want ferels in their stores hence why many unkempt dressed people get ignored.

Don't expect too much, we are not Sydney and Melbourne, instead we get trashy stores for tarts selling overseas clothes and imports we don't need. Plus with internet shopping, what will it look like in 2014 when it's finished - probably a bunch of agents lowering rents to try to get Pie Face in there.

Sorry for the cynicism but many, including on this board, think we will be like Bondi and Chadstone and that won't happen, that area is affluent but mostly full of teenage daughters pestering their dads for cash so they can look slutty with Chinese imported fashions. Also re Gen Y's, it's certainly not their fault we all were in some way when we were young disrespectful and in our own worlds, but they are obviously seen as cashed up, hence why Mt Omm's so called 'fashion' section is really good for trashy brands.

lol

free delivery.

http://www.toolshed.com.au/

For anyone who might be interested and hasn't yet heard......"Venus" will be "Rising" tonight about 10 or 11pm.

how quick to put it up?

^^ Is there any particular reason why they're doing it so late...?

It's gonna be up by tomorrow morning apparently....swarms of press people etc.

That's according to workmen I spoke with late this arvo as I was walking past.

I'm guessing they're doing it so late because that's when it's quite....like so many things that can hold up traffic. That can be a very busy road.....very busy.

No doubt it will be a "world class" artwork...

No doubt it will be a "world class" artwork...

Dunno about world class but I reckon it might be just a tad classier than YOUR kangaroo :)

It'll be mundane, useless and inconsequential.

Kangaroo wouldn't have been at least two of those things.

It'll be mundane, useless and inconsequential.

Kangaroo wouldn't have been at least two of those things.

agreed, a kangaroo would have been a great tourist attaction, I can see a pole anywhere

in 6 months you'd all be saying how tacky a kangaroo is and blah. if the river on a few façades is too much...

I'm agreeing with Dime! It would be seen as stereotypical and tacky. Can I point out, as a related example...

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-cby4fZ4_CiE/TqzSKgCppvI/AAAAAAAAD6A/SRzkJ-0tGto/Koala_house.JPG

The spire is a big heap of NOTHING. I don't so much care if there is no kangaroo - I do care that we have to have a glorified stick that is meaningless, boring and inconsequential.

But really my original post was just a dig at Bligh and her "world class" mantra.

Kangaroo = super tacky

I'll bet in '82 Matilda looked awesome, with her blinking eye and mobility....but doesnt anyone else throw up a little when they see the videos of her now?

The spire is a big heap of NOTHING. I don't so much care if there is no kangaroo - I do care that we have to have a glorified stick that is meaningless, boring and inconsequential.

But really my original post was just a dig at Bligh and her "world class" mantra.

I dont mind the structure - as for it being meaningless, i remember watching an interview by the artist who drew the design from a dreamtime story or the like....so perhaps to the naked eye its meaningless, though im sure there will be something there explaining the significance of it.

I'll bet in '82 Matilda looked awesome, with her blinking eye and mobility....but doesnt anyone else throw up a little when they see the videos of her now?

She's actually just had quite and extensive restoration.

I meant video of her at the games in 82, but Im sure shes still tacky.

in 6 months you'd all be saying how tacky a kangaroo is and blah...

Correct....

I had a look in person this arvo and was very impressed with the intricacy of it. An elegent and quite complex structure. I understand now why it took so long.

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/7192/dsc0426dz.jpghttp://img94.imageshack.us/img94/7656/dsc0423lq.jpg

Oh darn. Don't tell me I am going to have to admit being wrong.

quite nice - i like.

Pics don't do it justice at all. Go for a stroll and check it out.

I really love the shape and lines!

WAAAAAAAAAY better than a Kangaroo....

I quite like it :)

An unrelated question- did Quirk open a flood memorial in Brisbane? I can't recall what we have as a memorial to the height of the floods. Something in the botanic gardens maybe?

^^ There's a stick with a small metal plaque in the gardens indicating the height of the floods (right under the old one) - though it's not really a memorial...

Clearly visible from passing CityCats too, as I discovered this afternoon.

Wow, beautiful!! Extremely impressed! Very elegant! Great addition to Brisbane for such a prominent site. Worth every dollar!

I like it. From what I've heard (Nine News Queensland 20/1/2012) it should be lit up at night from this week.

How tall is it?

I'm very impressed! A great piece of artwork there, and a credit to the artist!

From the pics that actually looks really good. I will have to venture and see it in person.

For those of you who love Pie Face, they are about to start on world domination... http://www.insideretail.com.au/IR/IRNews/Aussie-pie-chain-to-hit-Broadway-3926.aspx

Pie Face on the streets of New York City? I never would have believed it...

Aussie pie chain to hit Broadway
Posted Date: 23/01/2012
By Inside Retail


Booming Australian meat pie chain Pie Face is set to hit Broadway’s theatre district in New York City.

The inaugural US outlet will open on 53rd and Broadway, close to hip steak eatery Steak n Shake, a well-known favourite late night haunt of chat show host David Letterman.

A launch party is planned for January 31 and the store will trade 24-seven.

Broadway’s newest resident has even caught the attention of the famous Zagat dining guide.

“Apparently Aussies love meat pies - this is the country's "favorite meat pie restaurant" (who knew that there was more than one),” Zagat’s correspondent wrote.

“According to their website, eaters Down Under consume a whopping 300 million meat pies each year, but will New York diners be able to work up such an appetite (especially so close to the Theater District where the songs of Sweeney Todd hang in the air)? "

Pie Face was founded in 2003 in Sydney by Betty Fong and Wayne Homschek. Prior to launching the brand, the pair were best known for their designer fashion label, Paablo Nevada. At one of their fashion shows (starring Roy and H.G. and based on footy), they decided to serve pies to the audience to get everyone in the mood. The pies were well received which got them thinking about pies vs frocks.

A couple of months later, the two were having dinner and talking pies when they conceived the idea of putting faces on pies to determine their flavour.

The concept has now spread throughout Australia via a franchise model.

Oh god....

This is the equivalent of Fosters being Australia's favourite beer.

i still haven't tried it...

but i do applaud any Australian business expanding into foreign markets

^^ I agree that it's good to see an Australian business make inroads into the US, especially in a field like fast food which the Americans invented and control.

Their food isn't all that crash hot though unfortunately. There are much better places to get pies (Big Dad's Pies and Yatala Pies have it all over Pie Face).

^^ I agree with Yatala pies being better, but Big Dads??? Definitely not!!!

And I'm sorry, but NOTHING beats a 3am Pie Face sausage roll after a big night out!

Pie Face is DELICIOUS!!!

...please dont shoot me.

And Yatla Pies has gone down big time in the last few years. I'd take Pie Face as at least an equivalent if not better. (Not that I've eaten there more than once.

^^ I agree with Yatala pies being better, but Big Dads??? Definitely not!!!

And I'm sorry, but NOTHING beats a 3am Pie Face sausage roll after a big night out!

Pie Face and Big Dads probably differ depending what franchise you go to. The Big Dads nearest to me make exceptionally good pies (so much so it surprised me), leagues ahead of the Pie Face pie I've tried which, again, was a single store. Some Big Dads are probably terrible, and some Pie Faces are probably not bad.

Yatala Pies are the best, but their quality seems to differ a bit. Sometimes the pies are better than others. Depends who is working in the kitchen I guess.

And as for food after a big night out, I'm very keen to try out Brunswick Social or Harajuku Gyoza in the valley next time I go in. And in the CBD, you can get a good late night meal at The Villager, albeit a bit more expensive than a pie!

Sorry, Big Dads pies are the best. Even better than Yatala...there, I said it, burn me!

I have never had a bad Big Dad's pie. Always good and fresh. Pie Face are friggin tiny and overpriced and usually pretty bland in flavour. Yatala used to be good in the 90's, but have gone down hill massively over the last decade...would only go there if I was with someone who really needed a Yatala fix.

I've been to Yatala pies only twice and both times I was disappointed. Way over hyped.

I should go to a Pie Face and try one some day.

Big dads is definetly the best pieshop franchise I've eaten at

I liked Goldsteins pies, there were a few on GC that i can remember.

Pie Face and Big Dads probably differ depending what franchise you go to. The Big Dads nearest to me make exceptionally good pies (so much so it surprised me), leagues ahead of the Pie Face pie I've tried which, again, was a single store. Some Big Dads are probably terrible, and some Pie Faces are probably not bad.

Yatala Pies are the best, but their quality seems to differ a bit. Sometimes the pies are better than others. Depends who is working in the kitchen I guess.

And as for food after a big night out, I'm very keen to try out Brunswick Social or Harajuku Gyoza in the valley next time I go in. And in the CBD, you can get a good late night meal at The Villager, albeit a bit more expensive than a pie!

Harajuku Gyoza is brilliant. Not a lot on their menu, it's pretty much just gyoza, but you have to get some Sake, or at least hope someone else there does, the delivery / service is the best thing about the place.

^^
I went to Harajuku Gyoza with the intention of being alone, and ordering a beer and some gyoza. A friend was in the area, and I convinced him to come. We ended up having 5 plates of gyoza, and several different kinds of beers. Definitely go there.

^^ Sounds good! I'm very keen!

And I agree with swifty78, Goldsteins on the coast aren't half bad either!

Correct....

I had a look in person this arvo and was very impressed with the intricacy of it. An elegent and quite complex structure. I understand now why it took so long.

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/7192/dsc0426dz.jpghttp://img94.imageshack.us/img94/7656/dsc0423lq.jpg

can't wait to see some approach shots of it... what does it look like from the garden point? can you see if from southbank?

^^ While I haven't seen it, I imagine that it would be visible from South Bank, but the best view would be up the Goodwill Bridge end. Has anyone had a look in it? Apparently the base is open, and people can look up to the sky through the top!

30 minutes ago

http://img576.imageshack.us/img576/3795/p1250001a.jpg

http://img542.imageshack.us/img542/2237/p1250002.jpg

http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/3318/p1250007t.jpg

Wow! Bigger than I thought it was!

I think it's 75ft (23m)

I noticed it from the Captain Cook Bridge this arvo and I was quite taken away by how tall it was. Looks fantastic though.

I almost wish this was about 3 times as tall - then it could become a sort of landmark?

It looks way better than the kangaroo would have!

I almost wish this was about 3 times as tall - then it could become a sort of landmark?

Go and take a look at it, I think you might be impressed with it at its current height.

I was at Central yesterday and when you look down Edward St you get a good view of this.

It doesn't do that much for me, but the giant kangaroo would probably have looked pretty tacky.

Just read a tidbit in the City News that Rydges is joining the long list of hotels that are embarking on redevelopments. They're doing up their Grey St facade and second level, which should tie in nicely with the BCEC Grey St.

Rydges Revamp

http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/9702/screenshot20120127at115.png (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/62/screenshot20120127at115.png/)

Rydges Southbank has launched an $11 million redevelopment of their second floor and Grey Street facade.
The planned changes will include a restaurant and two bars on the upper level plus several new shops to be located at street level.

That Kangaroo Pt monument looks like a giant Christian Fish....

Just read a tidbit in the City News that Rydges is joining the long list of hotels that are embarking on redevelopments. They're doing up their Grey St facade and second level, which should tie in nicely with the BCEC Grey St.

It's about time too. I hope they move the garbage area off Grey St as part of this.
I always thought the Con should do something with their Grey St frontage too, maybe use a rock wall to cover up the ugly graffiti inviting painted parts.

^^ Yeah, something like that would be a good idea for the Con. Other suggestions I've heard is for a green wall, or even a large public artwork like what was done along the train line. It's one of those "anything would be an improvement" situations.

That Kangaroo Pt monument looks like a giant Christian Fish....

ack, you're right. the mormans will be happy.

I thought Mormons were horrible savage pagans that will rot in Hell for eternity?

I thought Mormons were horrible savage pagans that will rot in Hell for eternity?


source (http://www.mmoutreach.org/mormon/articles/facts_mormon_wont_tell.htm)??

^^ And isn't there a Mormon temple not too far from there, on the opposite side of the road?

^^ And isn't there a Mormon temple not too far from there, on the opposite side of the road?

lol yeah, that was what i meant.

I'd just like to say that I am a Mormon and the link Danubis posted was a crack up :lol:, it really made me laugh. Some of the stuff in there is correct, though very badly taken out of context. Some of it is just a load of crap.

My advice is that you look at what the actual church says about their beliefs and then compare it to what you've read elsewhere and then ask some to clarify things you're not sure about. Same goes for everything else in life. I wouldn't buy a Nissan without looking at what Nissan says, then checking what other 3rd parties have said about it. You're a fool if you only get info from one source before making any decision.

I'd just like to say that I am a Mormon and the link Danubis posted was a crack up :lol:, it really made me laugh. Some of the stuff in there is correct, though very badly taken out of context. Some of it is just a load of crap.

My advice is that you look at what the actual church says about their beliefs and then compare it to what you've read elsewhere and then ask some to clarify things you're not sure about. Same goes for everything else in life. I wouldn't buy a Nissan without looking at what Nissan says, then checking what other 3rd parties have said about it. You're a fool if you only get info from one source before making any decision.

lol sorry, wasn't meaning to offend, just asking if thats where bri bri was referencing from. And i agree, scientific method can be quite useful sometimes.

i use the scientific method for choosing my religion too....

i'm happy with the statue, suits.

There is a tree atop Brisbane's (Hamilton's) newest top-out.

Where does the tree thing come from anyway? Cul?

In building construction, topping out is a ceremony held when the last beam is placed at the top of a building. The term may also refer to the overall completion of the building's structure, or an intermediate point, such as when the roof is dried in. A topping out ceremony is usually held to commemorate the event.

While common in the United Kingdom, Germany, Czech Republic, and Poland, the origins of the ceremony are obscure. Its practice has long been an important component of timber frame building. This tradition migrated to America with European craftsmen. A tree or leafy branch is placed on the topmost beam, often with flags and streamers tied to it. A toast is usually drunk and sometimes the workmen are treated to a meal. The ceremony has also been common in the United States when a skyscraper is completed. The last beam to be hoisted is painted white and signed by all the workmen involved. In other types of building, the ceremony typically focuses on the bedding of the last block of masonry or brick. The ceremony is akin to the practice of placing a newspaper or coins under the cornerstone of a building.

:)

^^
Cool thanks. And the tree sticks out and can seen from Kingsford Smith Drive.

lol sorry, wasn't meaning to offend, just asking if thats where bri bri was referencing from. And i agree, scientific method can be quite useful sometimes.

I'm not offended, if you're part of a minority group like this you learn to get over it pretty quickly. I actually thought it was funny.

Too bad its mostly crap, most of them do make more sense than christianity - to an athiest at least. I love the condescending tone too, thats an experienced troll

There is a tree atop Brisbane's (Hamilton's) newest top-out.

Where does the tree thing come from anyway? Cul?

It used to be a religious ceremony in Scandnavia where the tree was placed atop a new building to appease the tree-dwelling spirits of their ancestors that had been displaced. The tradition went from there to England.

In modern terms the tree is meant to bring luck and symbolise growth.

Interesting news from a defence point of view. Potentially a new large Navy base for Brisbane.

Navy eyes Brisbane for new base after Defence Department review (http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/navy-eyes-brisbane-for-new-base/story-e6freoof-1226257761738)
by: Ian McPhedran From: The Courier-Mail January 31, 2012 12:00AM

A DEFENCE Department review has recommended a new navy base be constructed in Brisbane as part of a fundamental shift in naval power north from Sydney.

The review has also recommended other defence facilities in Queensland be massively expanded or upgraded to defend energy resources and protect the nation from potential enemies.

Defence Minister Stephen Smith yesterday released a censored public version of a progress report of the Force Posture Review by former defence secretaries Ric Smith and Allan Hawke.

Their report has recommended the navy's power base be moved from Fleet Base East in Sydney's north to a new base to be built in Queensland, probably at Brisbane - to operate alongside the army's new amphibious battalions - as well as west to HMAS Stirling, south of Perth in Western Australia.

The report notes Brisbane would be an appropriate location because it was out of the cyclone belt and well-provided with industry capacity for maintenance, repair and sustainment.

The city would also be closer to mounting bases for embarking land forces as well as likely operating areas in the archipelago to the north and the South Pacific, and had a Nuclear Powered Warship-rated port, to facilitate US Navy visits.

The shift to Brisbane would mean the navy's current crown jewel, Garden Island in Sydney, would be downgraded to become a maintenance facility and cruise-ship terminal.

Garden Island would then only be a part-time base for navy ships and their crews, who would be moved north or west.

The move would cost billions of dollars but was vital for the defence of the country, according to the high-level review.

The shift could also spell the end for southern bases - such as RAAF East Sale in Victoria and RAAF Williamtown in NSW - as well as a major downgrading of the navy's Fleet Base East at the Garden Island in Sydney Harbour so that warships could be stationed closer to any potential action.

Among the review's other recommendations were:

A huge upgrade for Cairns and Darwin naval bases.

A new air-force base at Learmonth in WA.

Upgrades for RAAF bases at Tindal (NT), Townsville, Pearce (WA) and Edinburgh (SA).

Huge expansion of military training areas, including Cultana in South Australia.

An amphibious facility for Adelaide.

"It is essential that the Australian Defence Force is appropriately positioned for the future," Mr Smith said. "We need to be operationally more effective to the north of Australia."

The move would allow US ships and planes to have greater access to bases at the southern end of the Asia-Pacific region.

It would also mean Australian ships and aircraft would be closer to humanitarian emergencies or military action.

The final report is due to be handed down to the minister in March. Mr Smith said no decisions would be taken by Government until 2014, when the final recommendations would be fed into the next White Paper process.

Apple set for city's core
Georgia Waters

January 31, 2012 - 3:00AM



Brisbane looks to be close to getting its first Apple store in the central business district, with the retail giant posting job openings for a new inner-city store.
It is understood the store will open on the site of the former Dymocks bookstore in the historic Macarthur Central building, on the corner of Edward and Queen streets.
Last April, plans were submitted (http://pdonline.brisbane.qld.gov.au/masterview/modules/documentmaster/viewdocumentftp.aspx?key=p4j9mRT%2fiFbRInR%2bnu%2fwU9jQKxQWVcsXwAQPDDAzEq%2fDvWLQX966ig%3d%3d) to Brisbane City Council for a large three-level shop in the heritage building, which was constructed in the early 1930s.
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Those plans, which don't mention Apple by name, were approved by the council in June and discount bookseller Bookstars closed its temporary outlet in the space that month.
http://images.brisbanetimes.com.au/file/2012/01/30/2925426/420-apple-queenst.jpg?rand=1327897527450
Plans for the store's Queen Street frontage submitted to Brisbane City Council include space for an illuminated sign above the front doors.
The Macarthur Central space would be the third Apple store for Queensland, with outlets at Westfield Chermside in Brisbane at Robina Town Centre on the Gold Coast.
On Apple’s Australian jobs website (http://www.apple.com/jobs/au/), there are currently positions open at Chermside and Robina, as well as the Brisbane CBD.
The website is also advertising (http://www.apple.com/jobs/au/retail.html) ‘'new stores, new opportunities'’ for Brisbane and Sydney.
A request for comment to Apple was unanswered. The retailer is known for being tight-lipped about new stores, with announcements generally made only shortly before openings.
Apple discussion forum mactalk.com.au (http://www.mactalk.com.au/53/99330-apple-store-brisbane-city-6.html) has this month been swirling with rumours, with one poster reporting the new store was due to open in March.
Macarthur Central is owned by private investment company Precision Group, which was contacted for comment.
http://images.brisbanetimes.com.au/file/2012/01/30/2925427/420-apple-glasgow.jpg?rand=1327897878567
Apple's Glasgow store draws similarities to the plans submitted to Brisbane City Council.
According to the plans submitted to the council, the fit-out of the store, by Geyer Architects, will include the removal of interior escalators, to be replaced by a large staircase.
On the Queen Street frontage, the plans include space for a square ''internally illuminated store signage'' over the existing heavy bronze doors, which are to be restored, along with the building's bronze windows.
While Apple's stores are known for their minimalism, characterised by the use of glass and a white-on-white colour scheme, it's not the first time they've fused this aesthetic with an historic building, having done so previously in cities such as London, Paris, Glasgow and Bologna.
Apple has more than 300 stores worldwide, including 13 in Australia.


Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/technology/technology-news/apple-set-for-citys-core-20120130-1qp7p.html#ixzz1kyemgdN9

The jobs have been on the website for weeks now .. still very cool that the cbd is getting a mac store.

We obviously need one. Chermside is always packed.

I'm quite pleasantly surprised Brisbane is getting a Flagship apple store before Melbourne.

I'm quite pleasantly surprised Brisbane is getting a Flagship apple store before Melbourne.

Why are you surprised?

Well, because we're generally the 3rd on the list of priorities for most retail chains.

^^

We are. Perth has a CBD store...

Not surprised at all ..

Source: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/growth-spurt-puts-brisbane-on-top-of-the-world-20120131-1qr72.html

Brisbane has topped a list of the world's fastest growing cities, in terms of gross domestic product, compiled by market analysts Jones Lang LaSalle.

The only other Australian city to make the list, which comprises of cities with a "mature property market" and a population of more than 1 million, was eighth-placed Perth.

Sixteen of the top 20 were in North America, the A New World of Cities: Redefining the Real Estate Investment Map report showed.

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JLL Brisbane-based research and consulting director Leigh Warner said, not surprisingly, the Queensland capital came out on top primarily due to the strength of the state's resources sector.

A similar boom in Western Australia also contributed to Perth's strong showing, he said.

"Not only is it creating investment that drives GDP, but it's also driving population growth in both those markets, which is the ultimate driver of property demand across all property sectors," he said.

Brisbane's strong showing came as no surprise to Mr Warner, although he conceded public confidence may not reflect the city's strong showing.

"Even in the middle of the GFC, we put out a couple of papers on coal seam gas and the resources sector more generally and the impact it could have on this region," he said.

"I'm certainly not surprised, but I guess it is a surprise to some when we're seemingly doing so poorly in the residential property market at the moment and other visible aspects, like our retail property market.

"But certainly the office market is already a major beneficiary of the resources sector and has been recovering very strongly for over 12 months now.

"Usually the office market lags in economic activity, but in this case it seems to be leading because there's a lot of up-front jobs creation through the resources sector.

"Hopefully that will flow through to broader jobs growth and lift other areas of the economy like retail, which is suffering at the moment."

Mr Warner said emerging cities, such as those in the boom economies of China and India, were not included on the list.

If they were, he said they would dominate world growth.

"For property investors, a lot of them don't want the direct exposure to an emerging market because there's fundamental risks associated with investing in countries where there's not even the basic security of property rights and you're at the whim of an unpredictable central government with a lot of power," Mr Warner said.

"So there's a lot of risk inherent in direct investment in emerging countries, so looking at where to invest - and this is something that a lot of investors coming through our office are doing - they're looking for the markets that have the exposure to those (emerging) markets, like Perth and Brisbane.

"... There's a lot of investors looking for those mature cities that are more secure as an investment, but with an indirect exposure to the Asian growth story."

However, Mr Warner said there were challenges associated with such growth.

"If we don't keep up in terms of infrastructure delivery and accommodating a large population, then there is a real risk that the cost of living would go up quite significantly," he said.

"But in the end, it all comes down to how well we manage it. There's also magnificent opportunities in how we capitalise in terms of state revenue from this mining boom, so if we use that wisely and spend it wisely then we can all benefit from it."

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said he was "delighted" with JLL's assessment of Brisbane's commercial growth.

He said the report showed Brisbane was on track to be one of the world's most prosperous cities. "While Brisbane doesn't feature in the top 30 cities for direct commercial real-estate investment, I'm delighted that we have been identified as number one of the 20 fastest growing mature cities ahead of Singapore, Austin and Hong Kong," Cr Quirk said.

Earlier this month, Cr Quirk launched a $125,000 Brisbane City Council domestic marketing campaign to attract professionals and investment to the city.

"With one council, one set of rules, over 1 million residents and a $3 billion budget covering 1387 square kilometres, we're working hand-in-hand with industry to double our capital city economy to $217 billion by 2031," he said.

The JLL report showed more than half of all global commercial real estate investment in 2010/11 resided in just 30 "high-order" cities.

Two Australian cities, Sydney and Melbourne, made that list, but neither were ranked in the world's top 10.

London was the top city for commercial investment, followed by New York, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Paris.

Check out some of these comments on Brisbane population growth this morning:

"Over the last 30 years it has lost it's big overgrown country town charm and I don't think for the better, it's not been clever progress."

"We don't need a bigger population and we don't need more high rise. It's time to look at new parties like the Stable Population Party - otherwise where does overdevelopment end???"

"Property developers love growth, they make big money and don't have to worry about the awful social, economic and environmental mess they lease behind."

"This manic obsession with population growth is choking our city, and the globe. It is very selfish and short sighted. It's good for developers and politicians only. We are paying a fortune in housing and transport costs now. We are destroying all other forms of life in our environment. I have lived in Brisbane all my life, it used to be a much much better place with a manageable population. Quality of life has seriously diminished in my time. So would I like Brisbane to be a world city? What do you think?"

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/growth-spurt-puts-brisbane-on-top-of-the-world-20120131-1qr72.html#ixzz1l55t9B5s

^^ There is only one thing that could be said to a lot of these comments: :bash:

^^

We are. Perth has a CBD store...

While that is true, I don't think Perth's CBD store is classed as a 'flagship' store like the Brisbane store will be. According to what I was reading on a few Mac forums, it sounds like that although Perth has it's store in the CBD, the floorspace of the store is apparently more akin to the stores at Robina and Chermside, etc.

^^ That's right. I was talking about flagship apple stores, which Perth's is not:

http://images.apple.com/au/retail/images/store_photos/photo_perthcity.jpg

^^ Ouch, that is just plain ugly

The problem I have with the Perth one is that they've got a heritage shell - but no trace of any heritage elements in the interior - I don't think it's a good mash up - not what the Brisbane one is set to look like.

^^ That's not automatically a bad thing...there are Apple stores in Europe that have the same old outside/modern inside thing happening. A lot of older buildings did get gutted to "modernise them" in the 50s-70s and don't have the internal heritage elements found in MacArthur Chambers, and other buildings like the two NAB Buildings, Treasury Casino and Hotel, etc.

The things I don't like about the Perth store are the type of glazing on those upper windows, the modern awning and the full length open (ie. transparent glass) shopfront. Those elements not only don't fit with the heritage exterior at all, but are very much at odds with it, in my opinion. Not a good mixup. Keep the exterior predominantly old (or sympathetically modernised if required) and then modernise the interior to the extent required.

Check out some of these comments on Brisbane population growth this morning:

"Over the last 30 years it has lost it's big overgrown country town charm and I don't think for the better, it's not been clever progress."

"We don't need a bigger population and we don't need more high rise. It's time to look at new parties like the Stable Population Party - otherwise where does overdevelopment end???"

"Property developers love growth, they make big money and don't have to worry about the awful social, economic and environmental mess they lease behind."

"This manic obsession with population growth is choking our city, and the globe. It is very selfish and short sighted. It's good for developers and politicians only. We are paying a fortune in housing and transport costs now. We are destroying all other forms of life in our environment. I have lived in Brisbane all my life, it used to be a much much better place with a manageable population. Quality of life has seriously diminished in my time. So would I like Brisbane to be a world city? What do you think?"

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/growth-spurt-puts-brisbane-on-top-of-the-world-20120131-1qr72.html#ixzz1l55t9B5s
Jesus Christ!

I personally love this one

I agree, too much population growth, infrastructure is not keeping up. We already don't have enough affordable housing which is why, after 3 years living in a caravan park, we're moving away from Brisbane. It's just not the same anymore.

^^ :lol:

Good riddance to that person.

I'm not really sure what these 2 U/C are. The bigger one seems to have popped up out of nowhere. It's pretty tall too, more than 15, I can hardly believe that I know nothing about it. I have more photos, if someone can point me towards the thread I'll put them in there soon.

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/859/p2010010m.jpg

^^ The big one is Micah & Grocon's Common Ground project isn't it? It looks larger than I thought it would though. Not sure about the other one...

^^ Grocon's common ground and the other one is an ARIA tower. I believe it might be a resi?

^^ I didn't notice the prominent ARIA text on the crane. It would be Station 16 (http://www.station16.com.au/), a 10 story job full of 1 and 2 bedroom apartments.

has common ground become the tallest in south bank/bris now? I have been noticing it go up, but not much mention of it on this site

I'm not 100% certain, but it'd be getting pretty close to being the biggest, if it isn't already (Sky Needle excluded).

There's heaps of advertising on the street lights for ARIA at the moment around QPAC. Perhaps a sign of more to come?

Apple doesn't plan its retail based on politics like "Oh, let's give Melbourne one first" they plan based on the location they want and develop upon the availability of that location.

Apple doesn't plan its retail based on politics like "Oh, let's give Melbourne one first" they plan based on the location they want and develop upon the availability of that location.

^^

Now if only others would do the same.

has common ground become the tallest in south bank/bris now? I have been noticing it go up, but not much mention of it on this site

Common Ground is 14 stories high, it does seem to be the biggest in the area. Im pretty sure this is now all zoned for 30 stories though, so it wont be long till it is surpassed.

^^

Now if only others would do the same.

Isn't that generally how most/all retailers work? Do you have any examples of retailers that haven't followed this?

^^ Many would simply default to the city with a greater population base I would think.

^^ Many would simply default to the city with a greater population base I would think.

yeah but most decent-sized retailers have plans to open multiple stores.

for example, i've read that topshop want to open 14 stores in australia. this means that they are unlikely to follow the population order of sydney, melbourne, brisbane, etc etc.... they will open where they find the right sites, and it might take them ages to find the right site in one city.

on the other hand, with 14 sites i doubt their second opening will be geelong. they are probably going to concentrate on the major cities first...

yeah but most decent-sized retailers have plans to open multiple stores.

for example, i've read that topshop want to open 14 stores in australia. this means that they are unlikely to follow the population order of sydney, melbourne, brisbane, etc etc.... they will open where they find the right sites, and it might take them ages to find the right site in one city.

on the other hand, with 14 sites i doubt their second opening will be geelong. they are probably going to concentrate on the major cities first...

or at least ballina :)

Apple Retail Stores are assigned a number in the order in which they're conceived. For example, Chadstone is R180, Sydney City is R238. Chadstone had been in planning long before the George St Store yet George St opened first as the space became available first.

Again - plan the location, and wait for it to become available.

Not sure if this is the right place to post this .. but does anyone know how to do a land title look up .. trying to figure out who owns a certain piece of land at northlakes .. I am 99% sure this land is where they will build the brisbane costco .. the lot number is 803 .. its just off the corner of the bruce highway and boundary road.

Not sure if this is the right place to post this .. but does anyone know how to do a land title look up .. trying to figure out who owns a certain piece of land at northlakes .. I am 99% sure this land is where they will build the brisbane costco .. the lot number is 803 .. its just off the corner of the bruce highway and boundary road.

You can look it up on www.derm.qld.gov.au, but you'll have to pay for it. What plan number is the lot on?

Costco wouldn't own it anyway so there'd be no point.

My brother has a subscription for looking up titles, and even he can't just look stuff up willy nilly, it's strictly monitored - I'd expect even just paying a fee would be just the beginning of never ending forms and checks.

Not sure if this is the right place to post this .. but does anyone know how to do a land title look up .. trying to figure out who owns a certain piece of land at northlakes .. I am 99% sure this land is where they will build the brisbane costco .. the lot number is 803 .. its just off the corner of the bruce highway and boundary road.

you would use rpdata rather than the titles office

My brother has a subscription for looking up titles, and even he can't just look stuff up willy nilly, it's strictly monitored - I'd expect even just paying a fee would be just the beginning of never ending forms and checks.

Citec have a good system, however once again, as Costco wouldn't own the land, I can't see what the point would be.

it's definitely not L803.. it's owned by

THE STATE OF QUEENSLAND (REPRESENTED BY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING)
BOUNDARY RD
NORTH LAKES QLD

A story on Brisbane Times today outlining a study to be carried out by Arts Queensland looking into the viability of a second theatre.

My suggestions for a potential site are fairly obvious:

- The old Supreme Court building (as the article suggests the CBD needs more attractions at night)
- The Parmalat factory in West End
- The RNA Showgrounds

Parmalat would be way too expensive,
Supreme Coaurt is an option,
The RNA could be difficult considering the development is well designed and underway.

Another option could be 480 Queen Street considering Grocon didn't win the Suncorp Bid.

480 Queen would be a good spot for a theatre - and would definitely give a bit of foot traffic to an area that needs it badly.

Another option could be 480 Queen Street considering Grocon didn't win the Suncorp Bid.

It's from left field, but I really like this idea.

I don't see the current arts precenct being broken up, it'll have to go in there somewhere. Plenty of scope to extend QPAC in at least 2 directions. I'm not sure the traffic generated would also suit the Supreme court site either, alot of people drive to these things and 60+ year old rich people won't walk or catch public transport. What about on top of the Myer centre.

It's from left field, but I really like this idea.

It's very similar to a proposal Robert Riddle (as in Riddle Architecture) sent in when the public submissions were open for 480 Queen St. Part of what he proposed a semi-underground bunker-type music venue, essentially a modern replacement for Festival Hall. I wouldn't say no to one on this site!

I think that the Old Courthouse site is the best option though because of (relatively) close proximity and ease of access to the Cultural Centre (via the Victoria Bridge and/or Kurilpa Bridge.) It's also a Government-owned site that will soon be vacant, meaning that they can force the building of a theatre by developers as a condition of being able to develop the site!

I don't think on top of the Myer Centre would be feasible...you'd need a new, considerably large loading dock and then a new freight lift to haul sets, etc up to the stage. You'd need to reconfigure the whole centre! Although, rumour has it that ISPT is kicking stores out of Broadway...the name would be appropriate!

I really like the idea of 480 Queen Street. That would be a great site for a theatre.

I'd be happy for a medium sized one on the courthouse site (1200-1500), with a BIG one on 480 Queen (3000+). The courthouse theatre would operate as an alternative to QPAC, while the 480 Queen theatre would be an intermediate option between QPAC and the Entertainment Centre (like a new Festival Hall)

I think the cultural centre has built up a decent number of facilities and it's time to spread new facilities across the city. Spreading them around will mean more areas are activated later in the night (and as we know, some parts of the city can get quite dead at night and on weekends).

^^ Would that be a little bit of overkill I wonder? I don't know if there are enough shows around to fill both a super large venue and a mid-large venue in addition to QPAC. And from what I've heard, the Lyric Theatre's full capacity isn't often used as it is – it's more the issue of no second venue available rather than lack of capacity, so 2500+ seats could be overkill in itself.

I do agree with spreading facilities across the city a bit more. Fortitude Valley and South Brisbane aren't too badly done by though. In the Valley, I would love to see the Judith Wright Centre expanded with an additional 400-500 seat space. The current performance space is max capacity of 300, which I think limits the usability of the venue, and there's a nice big empty block behind the complex that could be expanded into. The Powerhouse does provide a good, mid range venue in the area, and The Tivoli is a brilliant venue for music and standup performances.

South of the river (excluding QPAC) there's a couple of hidden gems. One I would love to see used more, especially as it's a stone's throw from Southbank and adjacent to the Mater Hill Busway Station is Brisbane's 'forgotten' Victorian theatre, the 400 seat Princess Theatre (http://theprincesstheatre.com).

http://www.thefotofanatic.com/Photography/Forums/Your-Brisbane-Past-and-Present/brisproj-323/771706714_ZNQ9a-X2.jpg
Photo from Your Brisbane: Past and Present (http://www.yourbrisbanepastandpresent.com/2010/06/princess-theatre.html)

There's also Theatre Queensland's Billy Brown Studio, which is a small 228 seat venue they use for the smaller productions (ie. too small for even the Cremorne) which I don't feel is really advertised enough.

I didn't realise the Princess Theatre was still operating.

^^ Yep, owned and run by the Princess Theatre Church group. The performances are very much akin to the type of stuff you get at suburban community halls and RSLs, which is a bit of a shame – I'm sure that the Princess could attract better than that if a few people got together and put their minds towards it!

its a church and they do church crap. they arent performances, they are worship. :lol:


^^ Yep, owned and run by the Princess Theatre Church group. The performances are very much akin to the type of stuff you get at suburban community halls and RSLs, which is a bit of a shame – I'm sure that the Princess could attract better than that if a few people got together and put their minds towards it!

^^ The Church leases out the theatre for various functions, live theatre and music events.

Anyone know why the apartment tower on upper clifton terrace in red hill has been stripped bare? Coming down waterworks you can now see straight through the building.

they're converting it from retired/care apartments to private residential. Internal walls are being knocked out to have fewer, but larger apartments, and they're cladding the outside with various materials. All info is on pdonline

Should look a little less commie block after the renovation.

in the meantime the northern suburbs have a decent public observation deck ;)

That's a shame, it was such a beautiful building in a prime position.

That's a shame, it was such a beautiful building in a prime position.

I personally always thought it looked like a projects tower.

I never saw it as a beautiful building either. It will be interesting to see the final result.

This is for the site just near the corner of Boundary, Peel and Manning streets at West End.

High point in South Brisbane to be developed by Pradella for high-rise by: Michelle Hele

From: The Courier-Mail February 07, 2012 12:00AM

PLANS for a 16-level apartment tower on South Brisbane's most elevated site have been unveiled.
Developer Pradella intends to build the tower, to be known as Canvas, on a site at 41 Boundary St.

It has been designed by ML Design and will have views of the Brisbane CBD, Mt Coot-tha and the river.

Pradella's project manager, Brett Lentz, said the building would have a sky garden on level 11 that would include a swimming pool and theatre.

The 141 apartments were a combination of one and two-bed units. He said the project was approved by Brisbane City Council late last year.

Pradella previously had development approval for a smaller building at the site with some commercial space in it, but Mr Lentz said it had since re-configured its plans. He said that under the South Brisbane Riverside plan, it could have gone as high as 20 levels but decided not to do that.

He hopes construction will start by the end of this year.

^^ And here's the development's website (http://www.canvassouthbrisbane.com.au/home.php). Not much there except a slideshow at the moment.

I personally always thought it looked like a projects tower.

:nuts:

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/skaters-miss-out-in-milton-transformation-20120208-1reqp.html#comments


Things like this piss me off, We always hear nimbys crying for more "parks and open space" What they mean however is a field of grass with zero activation where they can walk there dogs.

The fact that it's even being turned into a park is a joke in itself. A well designed urban development could have easily accommodated a substantial amount of public open space anyway...now we have $12m of taxpayers cash going towards it instead.

Anyone know why the apartment tower on upper clifton terrace in red hill has been stripped bare? Coming down waterworks you can now see straight through the building.

I'm currently working on this project. Should be done by the end of the year / early next.

A few CADs from the architect, that don't really do it much justice.

http://fultontrotter.com.au/projects/aldersgate-court-redevelopment

Great view from the top.

they're converting it from retired/care apartments to private residential. Internal walls are being knocked out to have fewer, but larger apartments, and they're cladding the outside with various materials. All info is on pdonline

Should look a little less commie block after the renovation.

in the meantime the northern suburbs have a decent public observation deck ;)

I'm currently working on this project. Should be done by the end of the year / early next.

A few CADs from the architect, that don't really do it much justice.

http://fultontrotter.com.au/projects/aldersgate-court-redevelopment

Great view from the top.

Thanks!!!

Look forward to seeing the end product. Was outside the other day and thinking how good the city views must be from there.

The fact that it's even being turned into a park is a joke in itself. A well designed urban development could have easily accommodated a substantial amount of public open space anyway...now we have $12m of taxpayers cash going towards it instead.

No issues with the flooding last January?

No issues with the flooding last January?

A project could have been easily designed to deal with flooding - as well as the sewers/drains around there remodelled so that back flow flooding (the reason that area flooded) so that it wouldn't happen. The reason it was turned into a park was because those in Milton/Auchenflower wanted another park. To go with the two they already had within 100 metres of that area.

A project could have been easily designed to deal with flooding - as well as the sewers/drains around there remodelled so that back flow flooding (the reason that area flooded) so that it wouldn't happen.

Easily? When you look at the amount of water in this area it stretched from Beck St right through to coronation drive. The surrounding houses were flooded up to their second story windows. Even without river flooding the area floods dramatically from heavy rain events.

Not surprising given it is the path of an old creek bed.

The reason it was turned into a park was because those in Milton/Auchenflower wanted another park. To go with the two they already had within 100 metres of that area.

I don't know that the council always shells out money that easily, even for wealthy nimby's though I'm sure a mixture of unselfish and selfish motives would have been on display like usual.

Perhaps the fact that it was on the residential side of Milton road surrounded by residential houses on a parcel historically zoned parkland, and that it presented the chance to fulfill council goals of continuing to join up green belts for future amenity (between Milton and Gregory parks) and the huge flooding tipped the balance?

Maybe when the southern side of Milton road explodes with apartment living in the future this green belt will be the New Farm park of the westside in the sense that it might encourage more inner city living?

^^
I just don't think that the council should be able to repossess what was private land (and was once actually used as a functioning tennis centre) to make a park.

I think that there was enough reasonable sized parkland in both Milton and Gregory Parks to provide green space.

I also don't have a problem with people building houses/apartments on what is known to be a flood plain. As long as they are aware of the knowledge that there house/apartment is going to flood at some point - that's part of living in a river city.

The council lets people build houses on the river - when they're obviously going to flood - so that's not a complete justification for taking over the site.

This could have been something special - instead we just get another park...

^^
I just don't think that the council should be able to repossess what was private land (and was once actually used as a functioning tennis centre) to make a park.

I think that there was enough reasonable sized parkland in both Milton and Gregory Parks to provide green space.

I also don't have a problem with people building houses/apartments on what is known to be a flood plain. As long as they are aware of the knowledge that there house/apartment is going to flood at some point - that's part of living in a river city.

The council lets people build houses on the river - when they're obviously going to flood - so that's not a complete justification for taking over the site.

This could have been something special - instead we just get another park...

Yes, when it was a tennis centre is was under the sport and recreation zoning, eg parkland. This was the zoning when many of the neighbouring residences were bought so we might say from their point of view they fairly assumed parkland or sporting use was the future use.

I think there's a difference between living in a river city and living in a river :)

When you look at the flood photos you can see all the parkland left by previous councils that absorbed much of the flood leakage into the suburbs. These flood plains have obviously been well known over the decades and the parks have been put in the right spots. But sometimes you can see a newer development or housing estate encroaching into what is obviously a flood plain and it is under water. Such a shame as it was obvious it would happen.

The community doesn't get off scott free when we allow this sort of development. We pay through council buy back schemes, public donations, increased insurance premiums, loss of confidence in the city, visual blight, shareholder losses, individual family financial ruin leading to public costs etc.

I wonder whether the council purchase actually saved the developer as really who would buy there after last year? It was an inland sea. It is an obvious part of the gregory park through to milton park tidal flood plain and it also drains the surrounding ridges like Fernberg along the original creek line of Western Creek. Gregory Park was known as Red Jacket Swamp.

The other issue might be that the nine towers and other buildings might have increased the flooding for neighbouring residents which we can't argue they knowingly bought into. Like I said, the water through there was already half way up the second story on some houses (and possibly higher on others I didn't see).

If councils had allowed many of these flood plains/parklands to be built out in the past, the flood last year would have been far far worse. The photos of parks that almost exactly matched the flood boundaries and fully absorbed the flood really make you thank past councils imo.

Anyway, when you are 55 and living in one of the lovely new apartments developed when the light industry was removed from the south of milton road you will be boasting to your friends about how great it is to have this great green belt park to serve the 10,000 new residents who want to live near it. :)

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1223486/IMG_20120210_083846.jpg

No issues with the flooding last January?

Reflux valves in the stormwater drains for starters... And the design would just have to be tailored to suite the 100yr flood line...i.e. residences only starting at XXm above the RL. At ground level you could have either open parkland, or something which could tolerate a flood (parking?).

It's a real shame the Qld Govt is so desperate for money. Otherwise they could have worked on a masterplan for the Courts site prior to selling it off! Now we will surely get a half-arsed plan that will involve commercial interests from the developer taking ultimate precedence over the community/public needs - in the form of open space, new theatre etc.

The Govt should have laid down the ground rules (unless they already have?!?!) and instituted a plan which included something along the lines of: commercial/hotel tower in the SE corner of the site (to avoid winter shadowing of the site), required sized theatre (1500 seats?) appropriately integrated into tower podium, with public space around the base with street activation on all sides, underground bike link into cycleway (same as Brisbane Square) and the option for future connection to Northbank development.

And while I look at the aerial, make the developer throw in some cool public art over the Ann St on-ramp.

Or they could have just done the Regent site better, to include a new good sized theatre, replacing the 70's multiplex bit. Included some of the stored antique items. And then sold this courts site for a 150m+ office/residential/hotel.

Would have made everyone happy.

Without dragging the whole Regent argument into here, it just wasn't an appropriate spot for a modern theatre complex. Starting from scratch would provide a far better outcome.

While it would have been nice to see what really could have been done with the Regent site, I agree with BrizzyChris. I think that this site has a much greater potential due to it's size and the clean sheet aspect. The Regent site would have had major limitations due to size, location and incorporating other uses.

It's a real shame the Qld Govt is so desperate for money. Otherwise they could have worked on a masterplan for the Courts site prior to selling it off! Now we will surely get a half-arsed plan that will involve commercial interests from the developer taking ultimate precedence over the community/public needs - in the form of open space, new theatre etc.

The Govt should have laid down the ground rules (unless they already have?!?!) and instituted a plan which included something along the lines of: commercial/hotel tower in the SE corner of the site (to avoid winter shadowing of the site), required sized theatre (1500 seats?) appropriately integrated into tower podium, with public space around the base with street activation on all sides, underground bike link into cycleway (same as Brisbane Square) and the option for future connection to Northbank development.

And while I look at the aerial, make the developer throw in some cool public art over the Ann St on-ramp.

I disagree. I don't think a master plan for the site is required, and might have actually been a negative aspect if it was included.

This site is basically a one of a kind development site, and the big developers I'm sure would be practically falling over each other to get their hands on it. They know what the Government is looking for with this site in terms of a theatre, even if they haven't specified it in great detail (maybe they have behind the scenes), and that competition will be very fierce. I don't see any developers simply adding a cop out, lipservice, tacked on theatre to appease the govt simply because there is the real possibility that their competitors could include a far better theatre which would be favoured by the government. Instead, and with the advantage of a clean sheet design with no master plan, I'm expecting all major proposals for the site to be iconic structures which ticks all the major boxes you've mentioned, including an A-grade theatre.

They have a chance to create an iconic building here, they won't give it up over a 1500-2000 seat theatre requirement surely!

Unless there is some stipulation in the contract, once a develope buys the site, they can do what the hell they want withit (within the confines of local zoning obviously). If they don't choose to include a hotel or theatre, they won't go out of their way to necessarily include it. You have too much faith in developers. Yes they may go with an "iconic' development, but only if it lines their bank accounts.

^^ But it's doesn't appear to be a straight out sale of the site onto the general market. It's the State Government taking expressions of interest for redeveloping the site, with the inclusion of a new theatre being a core aim of the Govt for the redevelopment. The sale of the site to the preferred party would be conditional on the chosen concept being constructed I'm sure.

That's the way I interpreted it.

That's not how I read it.

If Party A offers $10m for the site and includes the theatre and hotel;

But Party B offers $30m but they will build 2 office towers with nothing else...

Which one do you think the Govt would take up? I know it's not black and white like that, and maybe there are some inbuilt covenants they will be placed on redevelopment of the site, but reading straight off the EOI advert, it doesn't appear to me like that.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1223486/IMG_20120210_083846.jpg

What a perfect spot that would be for a 400+ metre tower!

One can dream. :D

Knowing the gov there will be some iconic designs that are to cool for the general public so they will choose the vanilla option King george square style.

King George Sq was decided by popular vote.

Something around the same hight as 111 would be perfect for here......lets hope :)

When I was in court last week the staff there mentioned it was sold for home units/apartments. They'd know less than some of the people on here though.

It will be 150m.

Bout 200m would be nice :)

...then lets hope the tenders for the site close after the 24th of march, or at leat thare are no successful tenders till that date. Can Campbell do any worse than Anna for this site?

...then lets hope the tenders for the site close after the 24th of march, or at leat thare are no successful tenders till that date. Can Campbell do any worse than Anna for this site?

He could sell it to his father in law :lol:

200m would look good on the skyline. It just needs to be a good design.