I know someone who works for apple .. not only is mcarthur central mac store going ahead but there will also be a mac store in south brisbane somewhere.

Thanks bne that is good to know.

*southern Brisbane.

South Brisbane could be a reference to Carindale.

^^ It would have to be "south of Brisbane" rather than "South Brisbane" for sure. Carindale more than likely!

chermside shopping centre might increase in size

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/big-centre-may-soon-be-bigger/story-e6freoof-1226397206561

Or Brisbane South, that's pretty much how I refer to it when describing where I live.

chermside shopping centre might increase in size

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/big-centre-may-soon-be-bigger/story-e6freoof-1226397206561

This has been previously mentioned in the "Shopping Centres" thread in Everything Else.

^^ Had a look at the past 3 months of posts in the shopping centres section of everything else and there is no mention of this.

^^
It's older than 3 months. This was around June last year I believe?

Found plenty on carindale, garden city etc. but nothing except a 1950's video for chermside, I must be blind

Don't worry about it, thanks anyway mate :)

Tivoli going up for sale - scary, no doubt sons of Deen Brothers licking their lips. Good chance it might stay a live venue.

^^ Had a look at the past 3 months of posts in the shopping centres section of everything else and there is no mention of this.

Mate, it's even on the most recent page in the thread: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=787720&page=13

chermside shopping centre might increase in size

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/big-centre-may-soon-be-bigger/story-e6freoof-1226397206561

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=88998392
Stage 6 plans thanks to neilo63 :)

If Chermside would just build a second level, it could be so much more awesome. You could nearly double the amount of shops, and get some serious brands in there. I'm talking just as good as Chadstone. Imagine that!

Tivoli going up for sale - scary, no doubt sons of Deen Brothers licking their lips. Good chance it might stay a live venue.

What makes you think there is a good chance of it staying a live venue?

If Chermside would just build a second level.....

The plans speak for themselves. A second level mall from the existing Myer down to the park end.

Longer term 10c says the old myer end will be demolished and completely revamped. Say stage 7 ? ;-)

Tivoli going up for sale - scary, no doubt sons of Deen Brothers licking their lips. Good chance it might stay a live venue.

It will be an utter tragedy if Brisbane loses this venue for live music.

^^ Yup, it's one of the few that still feels like a genuine old school venue. Sure there are places like the HiFi that get great acts, but the actual venue is pretty ordinary.

^^ I hope it doesn't get redeveloped! It's got to be one of the city's best mid-sized venues. Its one saving grace could be that the site is covered under the Valley Entertainment Precinct (http://www.valleyentertainmentprecinct.com/docs/Maps/Valley%20Entertainment%20precincts%20map.pdf) as one of two precinct core areas - the other being the Valley Heart area itself. These sort of venues don't come up often – a successful concert venue frequented by international acts that falls within a protected entertainment precinct!

Yay! Common sense prevails... for now! Cross River Rail to go ahead but at half the cost:
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/cross-river-rail-given-green-light-but-on-a-budget-20120620-20mpb.html

^^ We're all over it over on the Brisbane PT Thread (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1118483&page=117)! ;)

Tivoli going up for sale - scary, no doubt sons of Deen Brothers licking their lips. Good chance it might stay a live venue.

It better. For it's size (I think around 800-1200 standing??), it's probably the best music venue in Brisbane. Just too bad the drinks there are a complete rip-off.

It better. For it's size (I think around 800-1200 standing??), it's probably the best music venue in Brisbane. Just too bad the drinks there are a complete rip-off.

Totally right Chris, I stick to water and that's 5 bucks! Been to 5 shows there since 2006 and it is fantastic.

Bit of tree destruction happening between QPAC and the new ABC building today. No idea why.

Certainly makes the new trees planted adjacent to the ABC look like a joke!

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l228/johnthay/IMG_3152.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l228/johnthay/IMG_3159.jpg

We've finally got a reason for the removal of the trees from today's City News. As some of us thought, it was due to their damaging the footpath and causing "several safety and infrastructure issues."

Pink trumpets to replace aggressive trees

TREES removed near the new ABC headquarters in South Brisbane will be replaced after the mature plants were flagged as inappropriate for the location.

A South Bank Corporation spokeswoman said the eight trees were harming the footpath and had to be removed.

She said the aggressive root system had caused several safety and infrastructure issues.

A row of trees near the side entrance to the Playhouse at QPAC will be replaced by pink trumpet trees.

These are the Pink Trumpet Trees that will be replacing them according to Google.

http://neighborhoodnursery.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/tabebuia-ipe-gift-shop.jpg

They will look great there! needs a bit of colour! How long or when are these trees actually pink?

^^ I think it's from late Winter and throughout Spring that they're on flower? Not 100% sure though...

Way better. Why there aren't more trees with flowers in Brisbane I have no idea. They look awesome!

^^ Probably cost more? Plus they would make a lot more mess! But I want more! :)

Oh okay thanks :)

Wow haha they look like Cherry Blossoms that have had their saturation turned to extreme LOL.

^^ I know! It's certainly an eye-catching display!

RE: The Tivoli

What makes you think there is a good chance of it staying a live venue?

Is that section of Fortitude Valley part of a Demolition Controlled Precinct? The building that the Tivoli is in is a pre-1945 commercial building, the George Adams cake factory in fact (if you've ever seen the photo of the cake shop which was in Brisbane Arcade back in the 1930s, that was George Adams Cakes):

http://i.imgur.com/m3gr3.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/fmbh1.jpg?1

While the art deco theatre fit out is obviously a modern addition, the overall structure of the building would be largely original I would think (brick walls, roof structure, etc) and in good condition. Would it be considered a Commercial Character Building in a DCP? I really hope so, as it would be terrible to lose this:

http://www.rwh.net.au/hotels/HA00136_4.jpg

http://www.rwh.net.au/hotels/HA00136_2.jpg

But Nathan the windows are bricked up on the facade, which has been altered from its original state.

It cannot be argued that the facade provides any positive contribution to the visual amenity of the street as it lacks ornamental detail.

It is no longer operating in the capacity the building was designed for when opened. The roof is definately different as it has modern air con units installed. The plaster is positively not original to the building and the auditorium is a modern installation created within the side walls of the original building.

The auditorium is built in a style that recalls an earlier type of architecture, however, because its not a genuine art-deco auditorium, it shouldnt be heritage listed.

Further it cannot be argued that the facade provides any contribution to the amenity of the street.

The real damage occurred to this building when it was irreversibly altered from a factory to a performance venue.

There is nothing original remaining within the external brick walls.


These are just some of the (wankish) arguments you used to to say that the Regent should be demolished.

A tad inconsistant perhaps? :colbert:



^^ I know! It's certainly an eye-catching display!

RE: The Tivoli



Is that section of Fortitude Valley part of a Demolition Controlled Precinct? The building that the Tivoli is in is a pre-1945 commercial building, the George Adams cake factory in fact (if you've ever seen the photo of the cake shop which was in Brisbane Arcade back in the 1930s, that was George Adams Cakes):

http://i.imgur.com/m3gr3.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/fmbh1.jpg?1

While the art deco theatre fit out is obviously a modern addition, the overall structure of the building would be largely original I would think (brick walls, roof structure, etc) and in good condition. Would it be considered a Commercial Character Building in a DCP? I really hope so, as it would be terrible to lose this:

http://www.rwh.net.au/hotels/HA00136_4.jpg

http://www.rwh.net.au/hotels/HA00136_2.jpg

f**k off dickhead.

I am sick of reading your condescending useless posts.

So don't read them.

There is nothing condescending about my post. This is a great comparision with the case for saving the Regent and for demonstrating the flexibility of ones point of view (regarding conservation matters) when it suits them.




f**k off dickhead.

I am sick of reading your condescending useless posts.

just wanted to point something out here

read these msgs at here http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=90035621&post=6185

i'd quote them but its hard to do when im on my phone like right now. i see where regent is coming from coz ive had run ins with nathan on some things too. the above is the best one i can remember. overall i love his additions to the discussed topic but sometimes he comes across as a bit of a bureaucrat bum kissing droid.

he argued that because the original windows in the victory have been bricked up, that the whole building should be demolished which is silly, because all you gots to do is knock those bricks back out and suddenly you have ur original window openings again.

Youch, im starting to like regent :popcorn:

f**k off dickhead.

I am sick of reading your condescending useless posts.

+1. gets old fast.

Despite all of this, I have a bad feeling that the Tivoli will be lost.

Well, I'll even things up by being consistent. The Tivoli is gross and should be bombed.

Nice inside, but the rest of it... Seriously? Ugh.

If they could save the inside somehow it would be one thing, but I can hardly envision a plan that would work.

just wanted to point something out here

read these msgs at here http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=90035621&post=6185

i'd quote them but its hard to do when im on my phone like right now. i see where regent is coming from coz ive had run ins with nathan on some things too. the above is the best one i can remember. overall i love his additions to the discussed topic but sometimes he comes across as a bit of a bureaucrat bum kissing droid.

he argued that because the original windows in the victory have been bricked up, that the whole building should be demolished which is silly, because all you gots to do is knock those bricks back out and suddenly you have ur original window openings again.

Read it. Certainly no-runs, merely polite discussions and contributions to the topic.


So don't read them.

There is nothing condescending about my post. This is a great comparision with the case for saving the Regent and for demonstrating the flexibility of ones point of view (regarding conservation matters) when it suits them.

It was almost the epitome of condescension. This is a personal forum, not a legal battleground. Everyone has the right to their own opinions. Hell I can say I liked the southern twin trade tower but not the northern tower. And it doesn't need justification. But you just harp on minor points in a personal vendetta against one person and its getting old. Unless you have something useful to post without the spiteful undertone, then pipe down or go someplace else.




Well, I'll even things up by being consistent. The Tivoli is gross and should be bombed.

Nice inside, but the rest of it... Seriously? Ugh.

If they could save the inside somehow it would be one thing, but I can hardly envision a plan that would work.

It aint pretty from the outside thats for sure, but beauty is whats on the inside isn't it?




.

Well, I'll even things up by being consistent. The Tivoli is gross and should be bombed.

Nice inside, but the rest of it... Seriously? Ugh.

If they could save the inside somehow it would be one thing, but I can hardly envision a plan that would work.

I exercise my right to say I 100% disagree Marty - it should be saved, but, as Sam says beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and come on you can save something even a tiny bit if you want to. As I recall Cinema 2 the Red Room at the Village Twin is still there, not that I am concerned if they tear it down now, but do something with it. Tivoli is great but again it's a case of oh it means so much to the people let's tear it down and make units. Anyway each to their own view.

The word you are looking for is "sarcastic". The post epitomised "sarcasm".

No I don't want to see the Tivoli demolished.
It is nice, and it provides a rare venue for artists to perform in a city with very few performance spaces left.

The argument for saving the Tivoli is in many ways similar to the argument for saving the Regent (although the Regent was a legitimate heritage battle, whereas the Tivoli simply will not be).

My post pointed out that if anyone should try to save the Tivoli, they will be faced with the same barrage of (trivial & meaningless) arguments that prevented the conservation of the Regent.

While they are trivial to you and I, they are important to organisations like the Heritage Council who seemingly assess places according to how they feel on a given day, rather than on factual forensic analysis.

That Nathan (and others) spearheaded these arguments to the detriment of the Regent is ironic because now they have spearheaded a set of standards that will see things they love destroyed.

I love sarcasm and irony. I think a lot of my sarcasm gets mistaken for bitching. You'll know when Im bitching because I'll be posting in the Regent thread! (yes, Im being sarcastic - you see, I rarely post outside of the Regent thead!)

Further, regarding spite:

Why should I be tolerant of the masses of condescending remarks and spiteful bickering/slander etc that I recieve on this forum for simply standing up for what I belive in.

Why should I "fuck off" just because you don't like me?

I am entitled to respond to any persons post on this forum as much as you are, and my point of view does not require your censorship any more than your point of view requires mine.

:cheers:





It was almost the epitome of condescension. This is a personal forum, not a legal battleground. Everyone has the right to their own opinions. Hell I can say I liked the southern twin trade tower but not the northern tower. And it doesn't need justification. But you just harp on minor points in a personal vendetta against one person and its getting old. Unless you have something useful to post without the spiteful undertone, then pipe down or go someplace else.
.

Zzz

How about this:

Regent Cinema: Virtually empty for many movie sessions except during BIFF.

Tivoli: Sold out for most shows for months in advance.

The Tivoli is great on the inside, not so good on the outside. I spent a lot of time there in the past. My sister used to work there as a dancer in the early 90's when Anne Garmes renovated the place and had had cabaret shows in there. Brisbane had nothing like it at the time.

Interesting Shuan, yes agree much better inside so if worse comes to worse hope they can find some way to keep the foyer or more as an entrance or something. One can hope.

^^ Developers wouldn't. The internals are recent additions and really serve only a single purpose. I don't think they'd work as a resi foyer, and would be a waste to use them as such.

How about this:

Regent Cinema: Virtually empty for many movie sessions except during BIFF.

Tivoli: Sold out for most shows for months in advance.

At the risk of even posting on the Tivoli v Regent topic, this is the major difference between the two in a nutshell. That's all I'm going to say on the topic.

In other news completely, the CM has given us some news about the Government's George Street project.

Builders rush for piece of city facelift

by: Des Houghton From: The Courier-Mail June 26, 2012 12:00AM

CONSTRUCTION giants Watpac, Thiess Pty Ltd and Leightons Properties are among the big names to join a billion-dollar land rush for choice crown land in Brisbane's parliamentary precinct.

Retail colossus Westfield also lodged an expression of interest before yesterday's 5pm deadline, promoting speculation of a major new shopping centre project for inner-city Brisbane.

Not all applications had been sorted last night, but The Courier-Mail can reveal some of Australia's biggest property groups have expressed interest - including Mirvac, Hutchinson Builders, Hansen Yuncken, Neilson Properties, Investor Property Group and CBus Property, a superannuation fund.

Casino operator Echo has also joined the list of companies interested in demolishing run-down state buildings.

This prompted industry speculation that Echo was ready to quit its home at Treasury Casino and bid for a new site - possibly the Works Department buildings at 80 George St.

This would leave the historic Treasury building vacant for use as a shopping centre, possibly by Westfield.

Works Minister Bruce Flegg said the expressions of interest were encouraging.

Several run-down state buildings in George and William streets may be sold or demolished - including Dr Flegg's headquarters and the Executive Building housing the Premier's Department.

The main interest, however, centres on a vacant riverfront block at 1 William St, near Parliament House, Dr Flegg said.

It will be home to one or possibly two major office towers for public servants to be built by private interests and leased back by the State Government.

There will be no cost to the taxpayer because of private sector involvement and the "rationalisation" of redundant state properties, the Government says.

Dr Flegg said he hoped work would begin on the new building within 12 months.

Other future developments would involve commercial office space, retail, residential, hotel and entertainment facilities.

"We had 90 inquiries and nearly 40 formal registrations of interest," Dr Flegg said.

"From the broad range of inquiries received, it is clear that there is keen interest from industry players, both big and small, to get involved in this exciting project to rejuvenate the government precinct."

Dr Flegg said formal submissions would be invited about September, subject to Cabinet approval.

That kind of competition ought to produce something pretty special... Hopefully.

Westfield is interesting. Pick up Westfield sydney and dump it on George Street? Yes please !!

should be very interesting

^^ That's what I'm hoping to see! Ideally, I'd like to see The Treasury remain a casino, albeit it smartened up to a standard closer to that of The Star or Crown, and a separate Westfield Brisbane established possibly on the Courthouse site, with a new theatre incorporated into the development.

But with everything up in the air, who knows what we will see happen!

This is a site that really deserves an international design comp. Being so prominent, anything less would be a terrible waste. Height doesn't matter too much.

I can see Westfield putting a shopping centre with a tower or two above on the courts site. Problem is though we need decent retail to spread eastward towards (and past) the GPO not concentrate further up the top of the mall.

Something like Marina Bay Sands in Singapore would be great for the court house site. Not necessarily in design but theyve basically incorporated a hotel, shopping center and AMAZING theatre in one!! and it works great!

I hope that Westfield takes control of the Treasury Casino building and does something spectacular there. It could be an amazing boutique shopping centre and would allow people of all ages to enjoy the building. Anyone know how many square meters the casino is??

We need a casino complex that has the capacity to grow over time and it has definitely outgrown the building.

Agree about an international design comp for the casino complex. Something that stands out and shocks people.

Not much has been getting me excited these days because the industry is hearing mass redundancies. So this makes me excited and I hope we get something special in all corners. The only thing I really don't agree with what's been said so far is keeping the Treasury as a Casino, I've never liked this building as a Casino, I'd love to see it back as boutique retail / eating with open centre courtyard - and loose the god awefull LEDs off the side of a heritage buidling...

I'm loath to have Westfield in the treasury building. They are a bunch of wankers and they don't really do boutique (they're specialists in regional and super-regional shopping centres).

I'm happy for them to do the courts site, but say away from the Treasury building.

yeah agree. i cant imagine Westfield doing boutique shopping. So I couldn't see Westfield doing the Treasury building justice. I just can't imagine it would return the profits for them, without substantial alterations to the building.

The Treasury Building has the potential to be Brisbane's Queen Victoria Building.

^^ Agreed and then some! I would much rather see Echo stay in the Treasury and upgrade it to Star-standard than to see Westfield getting their mitts on it! The Treasury as a casino at the moment isn't exactly a quality casino I know, but I know there is potential there, and I think Echo sees that! If it does end up that Echo leaves, then definitely do a QVB/Melb GPO type conversion on it. Anything but Westfield!

That said, we would have two high end retail precincts at either end of the QSM...is that really a good idea?

Well, I learned something today while searching for original pics of the Treasury Building's interior. It was suposed to have some sort of bell/clock tower, and it was built in stages. Now go forth and continue schooling me....

PS - yes to the QVB make over.

be interesting to see what happens. Maybe the courts site has been rolled into the project?

Westfield is interesting. Pick up Westfield sydney and dump it on George Street? Yes please !!

should be very interesting

Yes lots of Gap/Max Mara/Gucci etc that you don't see many people buying in unless there are sales :lol:

Nath, re QV Melbourne, that is a good idea actually though even now the upstairs stores are empty, but possibly something else too. But surely this may either not happen or be years away anyway.

^^ Agreed and then some! I would much rather see Echo stay in the Treasury and upgrade it to Star-standard than to see Westfield getting their mitts on it! The Treasury as a casino at the moment isn't exactly a quality casino I know, but I know there is potential there, and I think Echo sees that! If it does end up that Echo leaves, then definitely do a QVB/Melb GPO type conversion on it. Anything but Westfield!

That said, we would have two high end retail precincts at either end of the QSM...is that really a good idea?

I agree nath re mitts, but two high end retail precincts is fine. QV type development ok as well. Geez Brisbane won't be complete until Zara and Topshop are here :lol:

QV? :s

be interesting to see what happens. Maybe the courts site has been rolled into the project?

I can confirm that at least one of the bidders has done this.

QV? :s

It's a moisturising cream and they do soap on tap...

Well, I learned something today while searching for original pics of the Treasury Building's interior. It was suposed to have some sort of bell/clock tower, and it was built in stages. Now go forth and continue schooling me....

PS - yes to the QVB make over.

I didn't know about the clock tower, but yes, it was built in stages. Stage one was the William Street section, which can be seen in these photos, the second of while Dime put in the Historic Photo of the Day thread. The public proclamation of the formation of the Commonwealth in 1901 was read from the balcony of the William Street wing by Lord Lamington I believe.

http://i.imgur.com/CnmjV.jpg?1

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2483/4249788131_5144b180fe_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/statelibraryqueensland/4249788131/)
Queensland Government Treasury Buildings, Queen Street, Brisbane, ca.1907 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/statelibraryqueensland/4249788131/) by State Library of Queensland, Australia (http://www.flickr.com/people/statelibraryqueensland/), on Flickr[/QUOTE]

While Stage 2 completed the Elizabeth Street frontage and 2/3s of the George Street frontage, seen in this photo. The final stage was on the site of the small building on the corner of Queen and George Streets.

http://i.imgur.com/m5qw4.jpg?1

I didn't know about the clock tower[/IMG]

A pic I found on pictures au showed a scale model, with an obvious projection for some sort of spire/tower (unless the image tags are incorrect)

http://users.tpg.com.au/cmr05e//TB.JPG

^^ Oh wow! That would have been one hell of a clock tower! Eat your heart out Brisbane City Hall! The final part of the Treasury was built during the great depression, so that is probably what killed the idea. I think that the photo may have been taken in the Old Museum at Bowen Hills, but I'm not sure on that!

There's a couple pics of this from slight differing angles.

TitleExhibit of a scale model of the Treasury Building, August 1909 CreatorUnidentified
DescriptionPart of the Jubilee Exhibition at Exhibition Grounds at Bowen Park, Brisbane. Inside the exhibition hall was an array of exhibits from the Departments of Mines and Public Works.

80 George St would make an interesting Casino. I would imagine a lot could be done within the existing building footprint. It also has a fantastic rooftop.

I would like to see a glass roof instead of that horrible fresco in Treasury. And I don't think the old courts site is a prime retail site, prefer it to be anchored back on Queen/Edward Sts.

OOOO I get giddy at all that potential.

I would like to see a glass roof instead of that horrible fresco in Treasury. And I don't think the old courts site is a prime retail site, prefer it to be anchored back on Queen/Edward Sts.

I definitely agree with a glass roof over the Treasury! It would be a great improvement, opening up the old courtyard to natural light, and helping the casino "grow up" a bit. And what you're saying about retail on the old courts site is a concern...I think high end retail at both ends of the mall could well be counter productive, but it could still work as a general retail extension possibly!

Glass is a good idea, but there's bugger all room to fit an air handler (without taking up valuable lettable space) large enough to deal with that size volume of air and heat load. Maybe partial glass, or just leave it open, like it was originally.

^^ Leaving it open would be good except it would mean some of the gaming tables would be getting wet! :lol:

But in other Treasury news, I've just discovered that there are currently some major renovations happening currently in addition to the external restoration works going on (the work on the casino's marble stairs looks really good!). Apparently the Premier Bar and Pastano's are both currently closed, with plans also to renovate Cafe 21:

BRISBANE’S ULTIMATE ENTERTAINMENT DESTINATION IS ABOUT TO GET EVEN BETTER!

We’re always listening to our Absolute Rewards members. So when you asked for a truly amazing experience at Treasury Casino & Hotel – you got it, construction is already underway.

Everyone’s favourite, Premier’s Bar, is undergoing a transformation to make it an even more fabulous venue for great service, drinks and company. Plus, we’re turning Pastanos Bistro into an incredible new dining hub with a focus on fresh food and produce. Needless to say, it will feature all the creative talent and attention to detail you expect of Treasury Casino & Hotel.

And, in a first for Brisbane, Cafe21 is undergoing an amazing redevelopment to bring a sensational new dining and entertainment concept to life.

We’re also making everyone’s visit to Treasury Casino & Hotel more luxurious with new Main Gaming Floor bathrooms, fabulous ground floor carpet and a one million dollar renovation to our stunning Queensland Heritage Listed stonework. Plus, there’ll be all new entertainment to complement this spectacular refurbishment and add more than a little WOW to your visit to Treasury Casino & Hotel. It’s going to take your breath away.

They were really quiet about all this, I didn't even know about it and I try to keep my ear to the floor about these kind of things!

So long as they keep the Club Sandwich which is Brisbane's best at Club 21 they can do what they like to it.

I don't mind Club 21 either and, IMO, it didn't seem like it was in that big a need of a redevelopment. Didn't it get a makeover only a few years ago or something anyway? That said, Pastanos was definitely at the bottom of the barrel when it came to the Casino's restaurants, and while the Premier's Bar was set in nice surroundings, it wasn't anything special as a bar. If this improves on both of them, I can't wait to see the full reno.

Sorry guys but I have to disagree, this place is completely mediocre and the refurbishment of two of their food outlets and their toilets is totally unremarkable. The only redeeming quality of this place is the amount of tax that they must pay.

Give me a roof top bar and I might get interested. Otherwise let Westfield and Burberry have it and relegate the pokies and heinous neon lights to the outer suburban leagues clubs.

^^ You really think Westfield wouldn't turn it into an even more mediocre shopping complex? Plus I still think it would play havoc with high end shopping in Brisbane, having two high end shopping location at either end of the mall.

At the end of the day, they fact that Echo are currently spending millions of dollars on refurbishment works to both the Treasury and Land Admin buildings, makes it seem to me rather unlikely that they are planning to move out anytime soon.

The casino does not have enough floor space devoted to bars.

You cant make either of them better, they are just too crowded.

^^ The casino doesn't have enough floor space period. That's always been the problem with the Treasury – it just doesn't have the floor space currently to be able to really compete with Crown, The Star and even Jupiters. That's why it does need some sort of additional space to expand into. If they can take out the existing high rollers area off level 2 from the Treasury and put it into a new building, that could help things!

SUSPICIONS CONFIRMED. This would really be a great site for it!!!! and a casino usually comes with a theatre too, so that satisfies the governments tender requirements.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Echo looks to court site in Brisbane for new casinoPublished 6:43 AM, 28 Jun 2012


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
inShareQUICK SUMMARY | FULL STORY | LEISURE & GAMING

Echo Entertainment Group Ltd is considering buying the Queensland government’s Supreme Court site in Brisbane as the battle for control of the country's casino's heats up, according to a report by The Australian Financial Review.

Geoff Hogg, managing director of Echo’s Treasury Casino and Hotel in Brisbane, confirmed that the company is looking to buy the site for a new five-star hotel and casino.

The new casino would replace Echo’s existing Brisbane establishment.

“The consideration of a second casino is something the government can do, but I would think the relocation and development of a larger [casino and hotel] would be a good opportunity,” Mr Hogg said, according to the AFR.

Echo's exclusivity period on its Brisbane casino license has run out, threatening the company's operations in the area.

Echo representatives are believed to be inspecting the site this weekend while the court is closed.

That's great news.

This could be very interesting, although we don't really know what this means for Echo's three existing properties. Will they completely move out of the Treasury, Land Admin Building and Old State Library (currently Echo's corporate HQ), or could it be to supplement it in the same way that the State Library redevelopment was to? (Yes, I did read what the Treasury's MD said, but they are just looking at options at this stage, nothing's a done deal). Looking at how large casinos like Crown and The Star are, there could still be the potential for continuing usage of the existing casino and hotel. Hell, Crown could pick them up for itself!

As much as I love the Brisbane Square Building, Would be awesome if thats where the casino was, then it could be integrated with the existing treasury.

^^ It is a bit unfortunate, but in terms of above ground distance the court house isn't that much further from Casino that the Treasury Hotel is.

^^ It is a bit unfortunate, but in terms of above ground distance the court house isn't that much further from Casino that the Treasury Hotel is.

Connect them underground :D

I definitely agree with a glass roof over the Treasury! It would be a great improvement, opening up the old courtyard to natural light, and helping the casino "grow up" a bit. And what you're saying about retail on the old courts site is a concern...I think high end retail at both ends of the mall could well be counter productive, but it could still work as a general retail extension possibly!

To be honest, I think the Courts site is one of the worst possible for the Casino, unless they redevelop the bottom of Brisbane Square and join it all up ala Crown. Not sure what else it is really good for apart from Office and Resi... guess I'll have to wait and see. Maybe I'm underestimating the size of the block.

Rooftop bar would be cool for Treasury too. Fair bit of floor space up there, could make a massive destination in itself. With a glass roof, it would have to be a 'moon roof'/only open at night for it to suit the casino anyway, but would definately add some class to the floor.

Crown's ceiling heights are far too low for how it positions itself. I still think 80 George St would make a sweet casino/entertainment complex.

I bet a lot of the premium players would move in a heart beat to the treasury building if given the chance.

Great news! A casino hotel complex on the old courts site will activate this part of the city like crazy! It would almost be like the missing link between the North Quarter precinct and Queen Street Mall retail area.

The treasury is a dive .. I worked there 10 years ago .. doing up the cafes is nothing. I think that building would be better suited as museum or an art gallery because right now it really is just an over sized RSL.

Eagle street pier would be my site, shame its too narrow :(

The treasury is a dive .. I worked there 10 years ago .. doing up the cafes is nothing. I think that building would be better suited as museum or an art gallery because right now it really is just an over sized RSL.

would make an amazing gallery. While I can see how at the time how amazing a casino was for the building I feel that the casino has outgrown it and there are a lot of better uses for the building.

Great news! A casino hotel complex on the old courts site will activate this part of the city like crazy! It would almost be like the missing link between the North Quarter precinct and Queen Street Mall retail area.

Soul you are being serious I hope :lol:

As for the suggestion re an art gallery or whatever for Treasury, we already have one, but having seen the suggestions on here being debated, maybe we could have a mixed use thing. Anyway, keep suggestions coming interesting.

^^ Indeed. A new casino there would no doubt have great street level activation with retail, restaurants etc.

Also, if lucky they might include a new theatre as part of the hotel/casino design.

i note that nathan successfully dodged this bullet. hate to be a pain in the bum but i really want to know how this is different to u, to the regent



But Nathan the windows are bricked up on the facade, which has been altered from its original state.

It cannot be argued that the facade provides any positive contribution to the visual amenity of the street as it lacks ornamental detail.

It is no longer operating in the capacity the building was designed for when opened. The roof is definately different as it has modern air con units installed. The plaster is positively not original to the building and the auditorium is a modern installation created within the side walls of the original building.

The auditorium is built in a style that recalls an earlier type of architecture, however, because its not a genuine art-deco auditorium, it shouldnt be heritage listed.

Further it cannot be argued that the facade provides any contribution to the amenity of the street.

The real damage occurred to this building when it was irreversibly altered from a factory to a performance venue.

There is nothing original remaining within the external brick walls.


These are just some of the (wankish) arguments you used to to say that the Regent should be demolished.

A tad inconsistant perhaps? :colbert:

Eagle street pier would be my site, shame its too narrow :(

in terms of nightlife, the esp area thru to exchange, vic and porto seems to be dying a sad death. none of them r packed like they used to be. maybe that end of town needs something to wake it up

^^could be a mix of reasons why that is happening but, not just boredom with the two.

i note that nathan successfully dodged this bullet. hate to be a pain in the bum but i really want to know how this is different to u, to the regent

*A disclaimer to begin with, I'm answering your question because you asked, but I'd really rather avoid an argument on the topic please. :)

The post that Regentproposal was replying to of mine was more my enquiring about whether the Tivoli was inside of the demolition controlled precinct, and, if so, whether it would possibly extend any protection to the building due to it's shell being largely original (original outer brick walls and roof structure.) even though it's probably very unlikely.

I'm not at all suggesting that the building has any major heritage-worthy aspects – any attempt to get it listed even on the Council register would be a long shot and more likely than not unsuccessful. As regentproposal said, and which is correct, the interior in its entirety is a modern addition and is completely different to it's original use. But it appears to be, structurally, a relatively intact pre-war commercial building, which is something that the DCP could possibly (albeit unlikely) pick up on, as the DCP concept is designed to look exclusively at the physical aspects of a building, particularly its structural originality and street scape appeal.

With the Tivoli, it's not so much the building itself I don't want to see lost, but rather it in its capacity as a successful live music venue of its size. We don't have many venues that cater to the mid size acts that it does, so I'd hate to lose this one.


As an aside, a couple of weeks ago I was out at the Exchange on a Friday night, and while it wasn't as packed as much as I have seen it in the past, it certainly wasn't deserted. And as Brisbane_Rulz says, there are other reasons why that could be the case... possibly similar issues to what are affecting retailers at the moment!

well thanks for replying. can u explain the dcp guidelines to me in a nutshell or refer me to where i can learn more. i dont wanna harp on abt it but i wonder why they didnt apply to the regent? treasury row? yungabar etc? we now know the truth was fudged a bit there regarding heritage stuff at regent....

*A disclaimer to begin with, I'm answering your question because you asked, but I'd really rather avoid an argument on the topic please. :)

The post that Regentproposal was replying to of mine was more my enquiring about whether the Tivoli was inside of the demolition controlled precinct, and, if so, whether it would possibly extend any protection to the building due to it's shell being largely original (original outer brick walls and roof structure.) even though it's probably very unlikely.

I'm not at all suggesting that the building has any major heritage-worthy aspects – any attempt to get it listed even on the Council register would be a long shot and more likely than not unsuccessful. As regentproposal said, and which is correct, the interior in its entirety is a modern addition and is completely different to it's original use. But it appears to be, structurally, a relatively intact pre-war commercial building, which is something that the DCP could possibly (albeit unlikely) pick up on, as the DCP concept is designed to look exclusively at the physical aspects of a building, particularly its structural originality and street scape appeal.

With the Tivoli, it's not so much the building itself I don't want to see lost, but rather it in its capacity as a successful live music venue of its size. We don't have many venues that cater to the mid size acts that it does, so I'd hate to lose this one.


As an aside, a couple of weeks ago I was out at the Exchange on a Friday night, and while it wasn't as packed as much as I have seen it in the past, it certainly wasn't deserted. And as Brisbane_Rulz says, there are other reasons why that could be the case... possibly similar issues to what are affecting retailers at the moment!

^^ The council's FAQ about DCPs are here (http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/planning-building/building-selling-renovating/Building-relocating-and-demolishing/relocating-demolishing-removal/frequently-asked-questions-house-removal-relocation-and-demolition/index.htm#demolition), and sum it up better than I could. DCPs are individual precincts that cover parts of certain suburbs only, and not the whole city. There's no DCPs over the CBD, for example, but there are over parts of Spring Hill, the Valley, New Farm, etc. Also, they aren't nearly as strict as an individual heritage listing as they are more there to protect the traditional streetscapes as opposed to individual buildings. For example, if you have a pre 1946 house in a DCP that has a post 1946 house on either side, you could apply for a demolition permit on that basis. If you are surrounded by pre 46 houses, then you would need to rely either on issues with structural integrity, or if the house has been altered to such an extent that it no longer resembles a pre-46 house. Commercial Character buildings add an extra layer of issues to it as well I believe, as I believe that they do look at the individual building more than the houses in a plain DCP.

Another note (hope this is not elsewhere) sad to see Holiday Inn brand going, I assume as usual Sydney and Melbourne will keep theirs. Brisbane has for some odd reason been chosen as the launch of Traders at Roma Street, though a Traders in Sydney is likely this year. They are slightly more budget, not much, but there are ones in the Emirates. I have no idea if they are going to refurb. To me the entire Transit Centre needs to be refurbished. This is the forth change I think, it was Centra, then Travelodge (Mt Gravatt one is still there) then Holiday Inn now Traders.

Traders is a good hotel chain.

Check out Traders Kuala Lumpur

http://www.shangri-la.com/kualalumpur/traders

havent seen this one posted anywhere. me likies

http://440.net.au/images/h1.jpg

http://440.net.au/images/floorplansL1.jpg

http://440.net.au/images/floorplansL2.jpg

http://440.net.au/images/floorplansL3.jpg

http://440.net.au/images/floorplansL4.jpg

this dont need no comment :ohno:

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/1210/1direection.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/4/1direection.jpg/)

^^ There is only one good thing about that....and it's a pretty good one.....Street activation! The amount of people that walk to that shop that never walk down near there is probably benefiting other shops near it :)

I was about to say, I couldn't care less if this stays permenantly until they find something else better. A 1 Direction store is better than an empty store, and the large numbers of people it draws can only be a good thing.

I personally have more issues with things like the Catholic Centre than this.

Another note (hope this is not elsewhere) sad to see Holiday Inn brand going, I assume as usual Sydney and Melbourne will keep theirs. Brisbane has for some odd reason been chosen as the launch of Traders at Roma Street, though a Traders in Sydney is likely this year. They are slightly more budget, not much, but there are ones in the Emirates. I have no idea if they are going to refurb. To me the entire Transit Centre needs to be refurbished. This is the forth change I think, it was Centra, then Travelodge (Mt Gravatt one is still there) then Holiday Inn now Traders.

Thats great news! The Traders hotel will be great for Brisbane. The Holiday Inn in my opinion is a tired, run down brand that is very 90's.

I've stayed at Traders KL and its amazing. They will no doubt be refurbishing the holiday inn to bring it up to five stars.

^^Yes Soul but I am just not sure from the stuff on the net that they are going to refurbish it. Good you had a positive experience with them. They should move into Sydney and Melbourne shortly. Be good if they did up the black outside - but that is unrealistic.

I just hope in the next year a new hotel goes up, there are claims Brisbane is ready for another one. Why we don't have a Hyatt is beyond me.

^^ A lot of the Traders are 5 star. Seems weird that they would dilute the mix with this Holiday Inn. Hopefully they might refurbish it to bring it up to a 5 star rating.

this dont need no comment :ohno:

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/1210/1direection.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/4/1direection.jpg/)

The queues will go on for miles. If you need to go into adjoining shop, you might have to crawl over the kiddies to get into it.

^^ A lot of the Traders are 5 star. Seems weird that they would dilute the mix with this Holiday Inn. Hopefully they might refurbish it to bring it up to a 5 star rating.

Actually that comment has been made elsewhere on other parts of the net. It is odd. It is obviously it is not at the Shangri La level to be called that name so they went with Traders. It is possible Holiday Inn will totally go from Australia, but why they would pick a tacky hotel like the Transit Centre one if they are 5 star to launch Traders is beyond me. Maybe they will do it up but I doubt it. Not sure about Melbourne but Sydney will get one a lot sooner, it has been claimed.

Again, we need a Hyatt, Weston or Four Seasons, though long time I guess till that happens, but again those names have not ruled out coming here. Ramada and Radisson would be good to have back. We have fine hotels of brand and others in Brisbane but people gravatate towards names and even with Rydges, Quay West, Sofitel, Stamford and Novotel, we still lack the real names overseas people know.

The fin review said it is their 4* product. Is that an Australian 4* or a US 4*?

The Holiday Inn always had professional sports teams stay there, largely due to it's proximity to Suncorp Stadium. They are good regular contracts to have and I'm sure Traders would be very keen to keep them.

Here's the Australian article about the Holiday Inn acquisition:

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts opens an Aussie Trader
FLORENCE CHONG From: The Australian June 28, 2012 12:00AM

THE Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts will bring its Traders brand to Australia after buying the Holiday Inn hotel in Brisbane for about $50 million.

The deal follows the company's recent leasehold acquisition of the Shangri-la Hotel in Sydney's historic Rocks area from the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation for $330m.

The group also holds a majority stake in Shangri-La Hotel at The Marina in Cairns.

The Brisbane Holiday Inn, in Roma Street, was sold by GPT Wholesale Office Fund (GWOF) and the Lend Lease managed APPF Commercial.

The property, with 191 rooms, will be rebranded under the Traders name from August.

In a statement, Shangri-La said the decision to fully acquire and manage Traders Hotel, Brisbane, was in line with the group's financial commitment and long-term vision for Australia.

"After China and the US, the Australian continent represents the third-largest market for Shangri-La," the statement said. The Shangri-La group established the Traders chain in 1989 and now operates hotels in major business centres in Asia and the Middle East.


It describes its Traders chain as "the practical choice for business and leisure travellers".

The group has 12 Traders hotels, with plans to open three more, in India, Qatar and Malaysia. Shangri-La, named after the mythical land featured in Lost Horizon, a novel written by James Hilton, was founded by Malaysian billionaire Robert Kuok.

The first Shangri-La Hotel, built on 7ha of land, opened in Singapore in 1971, and today the group owns and/or manages 72 hotels under the Shangri-La, Kerry and Traders brands.

The bulk of the group's hotels are located in China, where it currently has 56 in operation, with many more to come.

The group has 45 hotels under construction across the world, 28 of which are in China.

Mr Kuok, ranked as the 39th-richest person in the world, according to Forbes Magazine, made his fortunes in sugar, palm oil, shipping and property.

SOURCE (http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/property/shangri-la-hotels-and-resorts-opens-an-aussie-trader/story-fn9656lz-1226410444099)

The Holiday Inn always had professional sports teams stay there, largely due to it's proximity to Suncorp Stadium. They are good regular contracts to have and I'm sure Traders would be very keen to keep them.

I stayed there in 1991 for about a week, the Queensland State of Origin team had a whole floor, and you would see the players around reception and in the lifts. I got to congratulate big Mal the day after Queensland won the first Origin that year. I'm pretty sure it was called the Travelodge then.

I wish I'd taken some photos from the top floor, they had a spa bath and a laundry up there with good views over town. They'd be good as old Brisbane photos now.

the lift buttons in this building and also at 340 adelaide are awesome authentic 80s style that you dont see much anymore

The Holiday Inn always had professional sports teams stay there, largely due to it's proximity to Suncorp Stadium. They are good regular contracts to have and I'm sure Traders would be very keen to keep them.

What an awesome buzz in Brisbane yesterday for origin iii. Nice to see everyone getting into the spirit of it unlike Sydney where you DONT see such open expression on game day.

I enjoyed strolling the streets. Everyone seemed to be in a great mood.

Looks like the superlux Gleneagles two tower redevelopment of the old nursing home on Moray Street is cancelled. They seem to be just renovating the old towers and selling them off as carpark-optional bedsits instead of glossy 1 per floor penthouses. This is the worst possible outcome. They booted all the oldies out and all we get is a lick of paint and some new kitchens. I thought they might have respecced them as smaller flats to suit the market, but still gone ahead with the new buildings. Such a high profile spot too.

^^ Keep in mind that Gleneagles was only ever an extensive refurbishment of the existing towers, which are heritage listed, not new towers. Actually, Tom Dooley did try to alter the development approval to allow him to add a new small set building fronting the river to squeeze in several more apartments, but council knocked him back. Maybe that, in addition to the current market conditions, made him decide to scale down the project dramatically?

What a tawdry affair that all was, kicking older people who thought they were guaranteed housing security for the rest of their lives into the street. I hope the people behind it have lost heaps.

What a tawdry affair that all was, kicking older people who thought they were guaranteed housing security for the rest of their lives into the street. I hope the people behind it have lost heaps.

Agreed.
They should allow the older residents back in.

^^ Thanks NathanDavid, lazy me hadn't checked the DA. From the render I thought it was new towers in the same envelope.

Heritage listed because it "provides evidence of changing trends in housing for the elderly". I guess trends these days are different.

Exciting news tonight is that Brisbane is likely to host the 2014 g20 summit! That's a lot of eyes around the world on Brisbane. Perhaps we really are australia's new world City..

Though its probably just Gillard trying to get in good with Queensland voters.

^^ Gillard won't be attending anyways lol

Hopefully this pushes more hotels to act quickly and set up shop in Brisbane.

This will have a lot of positive repercussions me thinks... :D

http://afr.com/p/business/property/brisbane_now_hotels_hotspot_x2gmqHAXCeTze16rzYep5M

Looks like Brisbane is on the menu for the worlds hotel chains.

Scaffolding has come down off of south Brisbane train station for the brick restoration works - looks great, good job.

I'm actually getting really excited about this! Huge! The eyes of the world will be on Brisbane for 5 days!!

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/brisbane-set-to-host-g20-conference-in-2014/story-e6freon6-1226422826373

^^ Not sure that I would want to be anywhere near the CBD during this...huge security presence, huge protestor presence, the road network would be disarray and there's a very real possibility of HUGE busway disruptions, and possibly rail as well (this is being held in the BCEC right? Every major leader of the Western World in the BCEC. And the SE Busway and three rail lines just happens to run right underneath/between the BCEC...)

Scaffolding has come down off of south Brisbane train station for the brick restoration works - looks great, good job.

I can't wait to see it! The work they did on the bricks on the platform side of the station is top notch! I've gotta give it to QR, they did a great job! Can't wait to see old Roma Street Station when they finish up on it! I think it would make a cool mini train museum or something!

I don't know if it would be viable, but I would be very happy with some form of museum there.

Where do you reckon they'll put the G20 leaders up? Hardly be enough time (2 years) to get a new five star hotel built and ready. Probably wouldn't want ém staying under the same roof anyway.

I'm afraid I don't know what the luxury accomodation sections of our hotels looks like.

^^ I would say the Stamford Plaza, the Marriott, the soon to be Traders (currently the Holiday Inn), the Sofitel and possibly even the Hilton would be the most likely hotels used by foreign dignitaries. I think they are the current cream of the crop in terms of the big Brisbane Hotels. And they wouldn't all stay in a single hotel anyway – the Secret Service has been known to book out an entire hotel for the duration of the President's stay as a security measure.

The Casino Hotel?

Could some of the approved hotels around the place be constructed prior to the event?

palazzo versace?

The Casino Hotel?

Could some of the approved hotels around the place be constructed prior to the event?

I doubt if they have enough time. Oaks & Meriton must be thrilled:banana:

I imagine that some delegates and a lot of the media would stay at the Gold Coast and drive up, it's not that far way, and would be much cheaper.

Other hotels would include Treasury Hotel, Quay West, Park Royal, Rydges, Lennons etc. Only the big wigs would stay in 5 star, the plebs would fill all the bottom of the market.

Don't forget Mantra and Rydges just there at Southbank.
Also both Novotels, the Ibis and Mercure.
I wonder if they approach owners of apartments and suitable private houses for accommodation as well?

Every major leader of the Western World in the BCEC.

Its actually every leader of the planet's top 20 countries... eg China, India, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Japan... everyone.

Surely they will need to fast track construction of a few new hotels? The BCC already has reduced (or removed) DA fees for any five star hotel proposal.

Two years and 4 months is enough to build a hotel... Didn't Soleil only take two years? and that's 79 levels!

Also, for the US president they book out the entire hotel.

When is the last time Brisbane held a World Event?
1982- Commonwealth Games
1988- World Expo
2001- Goodwill Games (Considering these Games were so awfully forgetful, they really don't count!)

You know, Brisbane having the worlds attention for those Five days in 2014 might get someone bidding for the olympics during the '20's!!

The Brisbane Times has put up an article discussing what we've been talking about: accommodation, and Brisbane's current lack thereof:

Brisbane's G20 to be a tight squeeze

July 11, 2012 - 3:41PM Bridie Jabour brisbanetimes.com.au reporter

When the world's leaders and their entourages visit Brisbane for the G20 summit they may be going to sleep each night on the Gold Coast or the Sunshine Coast because of the city's shortage of hotel rooms.

Tourism insiders have criticised the lack of three-to-five star hotels in Brisbane's CBD, saying the city does not have enough hotel rooms for the 4000 world leaders and their entourages, as well as the expected 3000 strong media contingent, that will be in Brisbane for G20.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard this morning announced the G20 would be hosted in Brisbane in November 2014 and brushed off concerns about accommodation, but the city's lord mayor has backed up comments that the city does not have enough hotel rooms for the summit.

When Queensland Tourism Industry Council chief executive Daniel Gschwind was asked by brisbanetimes.com.au if Brisbane would have enough hotel rooms in 2014 to accommodate the G20 delegates and visiting media, he replied: "I'm sure we won't."

"They will certainly be booking rooms I suspect down the Gold Coast and up to the Sunshine Coast with that sort of number of people," he said.

"It's maybe an incentive for developers who are finalising a development or thinking of redevelopment ... it will stimulate, or rather further stimulate, interest in accommodation in Brisbane and hopefully encourage a few investors to have a look at it."

Mr Gschwind said Brisbane needed at least two – possibly three – more hotels to keep up with the demand an expanded Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre put on the market by hosting national and international conferences.

Mr Gschwind said there was not time to build new hotels before the G20 and "no one is going to build a hotel for one conference", but the city needed the extra rooms for other conferences as well as sporting and cultural events.

Between March 1998 and March this year, Queensland had only added 1106 more hotel rooms to the market in hotels that had 15 or more rooms.

In March this year, Queensland had 180 hotels with 15 or more rooms.

Carillion Conference Management director Ashley Gordon estimated Brisbane needed at least four more hotels, possibly five, and two of them needed to be internationally branded.

"I think and I can tell you, because I go overseas regularly promoting conferences in Brisbane, and I can tell you what we need is some brand name hotels," he said.

"I've stood in meetings in China where they have said 'good, we'll send you 600 delegates, we'll stay at the Sheraton' [and we say] 'uh, we don't have a Sheraton' and they say 'well what about The Western?'

"No, we don't have that either."

Mr Gordon said it "relaxed" international delegates to be familiar with the name of the hotel they were staying in.

Mr Gordon said Brisbane needed "2000 new hotel rooms yesterday" and some of the G20 visitors would find themselves staying in serviced apartments.

"The saving grace is serviced apartments, we're using hundreds of them and the G20 people, like it or not, a lot of them are going to end up in serviced apartments," he said.

Lord mayor Graham Quirk conceded at a press conference this afternoon that some of the G20 participants could be staying on the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast as the city took a "regional approach".

“That is why we have as a region we have the opportunity to get everybody sharing in the benefits of this,” he said.

Cr Quirk agreed the city would "struggle" to build new hotels in time for the summit and Brisbane would just have to use the hotels it already had.

“I have often spoken about the co-operation of the Council of Mayors and the fact that we work together for the benefit of the whole region and this is going to be a classic case in point," he said.

Pressed more specifically on the lack of five star hotels in Brisbane's CBD, Cr Quirk said he was sure the issue had been looked at during the bidding process for the G20.

“Well I think these are the factors that would have been taken into account in the organising of the event and the naming of Brisbane as the host," he said.

“Those engaged with determining where this event would be held would have looked at those details.”

Ms Gillard this morning shrugged off concerns about the city's lack of three to five star hotels saying the federal government had considered it in their decision.

"We as part of the assessment of Brisbane's bid did an assessment of hotels and we're satisfied that the city can accommodate an event of these dimensions, otherwise we wouldn't have gone 'tick' to Brisbane," she said.

Ms Gillard talked up the benefits to the hotel industry of hosting the G20 saying it would be worth millions of dollars.

"We're talking about $20 million in hotel accommodation alone, around $30 million in all of the services that need to be sourced locally to make a major event like this happen," she said. "And that's before you get to things like the associated tourism and retail benefits with so many people in town all at the same time."

– additional reporting by Tony Moore

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/brisbanes-g20-to-be-a-tight-squeeze-20120711-21vji.html#ixzz20I3MxAs7

Why has Western not tried to get another hotel off the ground? Or are they trying to get into 111/222? We keep seeing articles about the lack of rooms but no one is building anything.

I hope this gives Billbergia some confidence to move on the hotel component.

Maybe they could do a staged construction of the tower like they did with Eureka and open the hotel component first while the upper levels of the tower remain under construction. Also, rumour has it, Westin are interested in 111+222.

^^ I doubt that they would be able to get the resi pre-commitments, organise a hotel operator and build/finish it before 2014, if that's what you're getting at. Besides, they're concentrating on the office component first it appears.

Hotel can be used prior to the construction of the rest. It is designed to be staged.

They can also build the hotel at the same time as the office if they are ready.

They'll have to start getting concrete on site soon then.

^^ I doubt that they would be able to get the resi pre-commitments, organise a hotel operator and build/finish it before 2014, if that's what you're getting at. Besides, they're concentrating on the office component first it appears.

Technically they don't even need to get pre-sales going... they can build the hotel component first and then once completed, start pre-sales. That's what Grocon did with Eureka Tower, where people moved into the tower and it was only half built.

Yes they must be internationally branded people go after names. As I typed before, why Brisbane does not have a Hyatt is beyond me. Westin even better and a lower star Vibe. This will be a farce, they can't build mega hotels by 2014.

lets hope this is nxt on newmans chop blok

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/3189/annex.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/15/annex.jpg/)

Hell no. I actually love the Parliamentary Annex.

I'd be very wary of doing anything to the Annex simply for the fact that it is connected to Parliament House, one of the city's most important buildings. It's not exactly a building that the Govt could sell off for redevelopment like it could to other George St buildings. If it was to be redeveloped, it would have to be done as a Government-sponsored project I would think.

Nah, the annex and the lennons building are the first on my list to go. The annex cant be reclad with glass to hide its ugliness.

put something tasteful in its place.

I think some nice paint and some artwork up the side would look good! I wouldn't want to see it go........

^^ Artwork is a good idea. I personally would love to see digital artworks projected onto big blank sides of Lennons. It was done during the Brisbane Festival last year I think and it looked really good! Better than a blank wall at any rate!

In other news, here's an interesting little article about how Brisbane should take a leaf out of Paris' book and embrace the idea of a few more bridges over the river. So, should we have a few more river crossings? If so, whereabouts and what sort (pedestrian, green bridge or traffic)?

Paris could teach us about life on the river

by: Chris Herde From: The Courier-Mail July 13, 2012 12:00am

http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2012/07/12/1226424/786798-james-tuma.jpg
Urbis director James Tuma wants to see more bridges in Brisbane. Picture: Liam Kidston

COULD Brisbane one day be known as the Paris of the south?

Who knows. But this river city needs more bridges, and there's no reason they couldn't be as architecturally pleasing and practical as those in the City of Love, says Urbis national director design, James Tuma.

Does Brisbane need more bridges? Tell us what you think in the comments section below.

Mr Tuma believes that strangely, for a river city, Brisbane has never embraced bridges.

"To date, we appear to have been almost afraid of our river, and we have not used it to its best potential when it comes to connectivity,'' he said.

"The question is, do we want to make Brisbane a city of bridges in a similar way to Paris?''

Currently, the Brisbane CBD has one rail bridge and seven vehicle and pedestrian bridges, while there are seven in the suburbs.

But in the future there may be more.

Mr Tuma said with new bridges the devil was always in the detail''.

A bridge needed to be fully considered, based on the impact it would have on the communities it connected. He said any recommendations put forward for building bridges needed to be assessed from a solid strategic viewpoint.

"The reason you would build a bridge is to meet a demonstrated need,'' Mr Tuma said.

"If it unlocks or assists in terms of managing traffic flows, then it's a great outcome.

"There's another economic benefit in terms of linking a centre to another centre.''

Mr Tuma said design was a vital element.

"A beautiful slim elegant bridge is a timeless thing,'' he said. "If you go to places like Paris they trade on the fact that they have so many crossings and on how beautiful and, dare I say, romantic it can be.

"Can we be the Paris of the southern hemisphere? Why not. Why don't we go for it.''

BRIDGING THE GAP

Mooted vehicle/cycle and pedestrian bridges include:

West End to St Lucia

West End to Toowong

Alice Street (CBD) to Kangaroo Point

Kangaroo Point to New Farm

New Farm or Newstead to Bulimba

Bulimba's Apollo Rd to Racecourse Rd at Hamilton

Source: Courier Mail (http://www.couriermail.com.au/business/paris-could-teach-us-about-river-life/story-fn7kjcme-1226424787833)

I'm not much of a fan of anymore bridges to the CBD (other than the Adelaide Street green bridge), especially anything across my favourite CBD aspect looking across from the cliffs , I do like the idea of the outter area ones though. I've done the ride from new farm, cbd, over the vic bridge to south bank, up story bridge back to new farm park, would be awesome to do that last leg from bulimba across.

I was actually looking on maps where some new ones could go! I think the one from Alice St to kangaroo point is a must! It would be great to be able to walk from the CBD across to kangaroo point! Would be good for business there too!

Sorry Fyver :lol: I think a well designed bridge would make the view better!

Edit: This is what I would like to see....probably dreaming too much but anyway.......these are all foot bridges, except maybe the one from Alice St to Kangaroo Point. The one going across from SouthBank is only if the project that's been proposed for under the motorway gets built.....:)

http://img837.imageshack.us/img837/1204/newfootbridges.jpg

New nearmap imagery is up - 16th of June. Not sure when it updated but i'm sure i checked last week, so it must be recently

I don't mind Eastern's idea not sure about the finance after the fuss over the last two bridges but, seems fine your idea.

I was actually looking on maps where some new ones could go! I think the one from Alice St to kangaroo point is a must! It would be great to be able to walk from the CBD across to kangaroo point! Would be good for business there too!

Sorry Fyver :lol: I think a well designed bridge would make the view better!

Edit: This is what I would like to see....probably dreaming too much but anyway.......these are all foot bridges, except maybe the one from Alice St to Kangaroo Point. The one going across from SouthBank is only if the project that's been proposed for under the motorway gets built.....:)

http://img837.imageshack.us/img837/1204/newfootbridges.jpg

I think the bridge from Alice St to Thornton St at Kangaroo Point is a good one, and would create a great spot to view the Eagle Street Precinct, though I think the second one down near QUT is a bit of overkill – would that many people really want to cross to Kangaroo Point? Likewise with the one from South bank, between the Victoria Bridge and Goodwill Bridge I think we're sorted. From a tourist perspective I think a cross river ferry service would be better there. Something a little different!

Boundary St to St Lucia would probably be a good one too, but would UQ get on board, or would they fight it all the way? The other one I definitely want to see is from Commercial Road, Teneriffe to Oxford Street, Bulimba as at least a green bridge. Run the City Glider across and up Oxford Street a little bit!

the differnce between paris and brisbane is the size (and type) of river. The Brisbane River is about 2 or 3 times as wide as the Seine and still has much natural beauty along side the rivers banks, where the Seine through Paris has lost a lot of that eons ago. So bridges across the Brissy R will never really be "quaint" more like architectural statements, and I don't think a lot of "architectural statements" across our river will have the same "romantic" result as Paris. Further it will lose the natural beauty of the river, something that is close to many brisbanites' hearts. Unimpeded views of the river is one of the Rivers attractions. Especially the view from the botanic gardens down to the story bridge. I would say that is the quintessential view of Brisbane, to lose that would be unfortunate. I am not against change, people may grow to love a bridge across this stretch, but I am not sure it is ideal to have one for any type of romantic illusion or comparison to other cities.




Edit: what I would like to see though is for the Riverside Centre to be demolished and replaced with a public building of architectural merit that juts out into river a little (but not a tower). This would create a real "focus" on that stretch, and become a truly iconic view of Brisbane.

Demolish Riverside Centre? No way! Riverside and Riparian are both future classics in my opinion, and they do a great job bookending One One One! Besides, Eagle Street needs more tallies (Eagle Street Pier, I'm looking at you!)

Why don't we just do the same thing on the Eagle St Pier site? Demolishing Riverside is a bit extreme, as much as I am no fan of the architecture.

Sorry my mistake, I meant Eagle St Pier. I have always just called it the "Riverside Centre" as it adjoins it.

a tallie on this site as well is good too (towards the back as much as possible), but I would like to see a public building at the base with iconic architecture that juts out into the water a bit to make a focus on this stretch of the river. It would add a new dimension to this view.



.

I'm in Singapore at the moment and it really hits home just how bland Brisbane is. Singapore has so many distinctive buildings of epic scale. I'd love to see the Eagle Street Peir site go out for an international design comp for something of global proportions. Brisbane's buildings focus too much on function rater than form, we need more artistic buildings than the boxes we currently have.

Yes well Singapore does have a significantly larger population and economy, so no surprises really.....

Hell no. I actually love the Parliamentary Annex.


+1

Yes well Singapore does have significantly fewer NIMBYs, so no surprises really.....

FTFY.

And a government, which for better or for worse doesnt really do community consultations. It definitely makes for a more interesting city.

Why don't we just do the same thing on the Eagle St Pier site? Demolishing Riverside is a bit extreme, as much as I am no fan of the architecture.

The Riverside Centre is Heritage Listed! It can't be demolished!

I'm in Singapore at the moment and it really hits home just how bland Brisbane is. Singapore has so many distinctive buildings of epic scale. I'd love to see the Eagle Street Peir site go out for an international design comp for something of global proportions. Brisbane's buildings focus too much on function rater than form, we need more artistic buildings than the boxes we currently have.

I don't agree that Brisbane is bland, not since a few of the newies have gone up, but I 100% agree re designers and architects rare build anything that isn't just functional, I could say the same thing about Melbourne but to me 101 Collins Street and it's neighbour are outstanding and functional. Riperian and the new one next to it do capture interesting design, but again it's a case of catchup with Sydney who seem to be a bit obsessed with circular buildings again. Maybe we should get a Gerkin type building :lol:

I cannot agree with demolition of Riverside, I am not a huge fan of it, it is great inside, but I know they demolished a building to build the new London Shard but to make entrenched businesses leave, tear it down, the cost, impractical. But perhaps Sam yes that area does need a bit more so I see your point.

yeah to clarify it started with me saying I want Riverside demolished and replaced with an iconic building that juts out into the river. But I meant Eagle St Pier, not Riverside.

has anyone tried the new Mr and Mrs G bar? looks nice. cant believe they managed to squeeze it on that tiny parcel

[QUOTE=Brisbane_Rulz;93266530]I don't agree that Brisbane is bland, not since a few of the newies have gone up, but I 100% agree re designers and architects rare build anything that isn't just functional, I could say the same thing about Melbourne but to me 101 Collins Street and it's neighbour are outstanding and functional. Riperian and the new one next to it do capture interesting design, but again it's a case of catchup with Sydney who seem to be a bit obsessed with circular buildings a"gain. Maybe we should get a Gerkin type building :lol:

It's not simply a case of putting up a few new buildings to change a city. The richness or blandness of a city also comes down to the people that inhabit a city. As David Malouf says in his book "Johnno"
"Brisbane is so sleepy, so slatternly, so sprawlingly unlovely... It is simply the most ordinary place in the world... It was so shabby and makeshift... a place where poetry could never occur."

Brisbane throughout the 20th century was so plain and boring! No great landmarks, no scene for the arts and creative culture! It was simply a boring place, and certainly kept in the dark ages during the Joh years!

The city we have today with all the improvements to the arts, culture, infrastructure, and skyline has all happened post 2000.

Singapore is a perfect example of what a Government and people can do to transform a city! Pre- 1960, Singapore was primarily swamps and old rundown streets and buildings. Today it's a cultural and economic powerhouse!

I don't agree that Brisbane is bland, not since a few of the newies have gone up, but I 100% agree re designers and architects rare build anything that isn't just functional, I could say the same thing about Melbourne but to me 101 Collins Street and it's neighbour are outstanding and functional. Riperian and the new one next to it do capture interesting design, but again it's a case of catchup with Sydney who seem to be a bit obsessed with circular buildings a"gain. Maybe we should get a Gerkin type building :lol:

It's not simply a case of putting up a few new buildings to change a city. The richness or blandness of a city also comes down to the people that inhabit a city. As David Malouf says in his book "Johnno"
"Brisbane is so sleepy, so slatternly, so sprawlingly unlovely... It is simply the most ordinary place in the world... It was so shabby and makeshift... a place where poetry could never occur."

Brisbane throughout the 20th century was so plain and boring! No great landmarks, no scene for the arts and creative culture! It was simply a boring place, and certainly kept in the dark ages during the Joh years!

The city we have today with all the improvements to the arts, culture, infrastructure, and skyline has all happened post 2000.

Singapore is a perfect example of what a Government and people can do to transform a city! Pre- 1960, Singapore was primarily swamps and old rundown streets and buildings. Today it's a cultural and economic powerhouse!

.....all the improvements....post 2000? Nitpicking but I think your timeframe is a bit askew...has been constant development in all facets since the joh years to get to this point, not just post 2000 at all.

The Telstra building has a deep red, but thin, neon line running down its right hand side tonight.

Any ideas? New lighting or something I haven't noticed before?

275 George has 2 LED strips running around it's "handle". My guess is they only run them when they want to now days.

The Telstra building has a deep red, but thin, neon line running down its right hand side tonight.

Any ideas? New lighting or something I haven't noticed before?

They have just updated their exhibition st building to have the new logo which changes colour. Wonder if they are doing the same to 275 George.

The Telstra building has a deep red, but thin, neon line running down its right hand side tonight.

Any ideas? New lighting or something I haven't noticed before?

Huh? 275 George has always had coloured lighting strips.

Huh? 275 George has always had coloured lighting strips.

I have live facing the skyline from West End for around 18 months, and I haven't noticed it before.

It sounds like, as Fyver said, they maybe only switch the vertical lights on on certain occasions.

^^ I have seen the strip on 275 George before, but just thinking about it, I don't think I've seen lit up for quite a while, and I don't think I've seen it in any colour other than "Telstra Blue" from back before they 'rainbowed' their logo.

The Riverside Centre is Heritage Listed! It can't be demolished!

While I agree it definitely shouldn't be demolished, as far as I know Riverside isn't heritage listed. The only things on Eagle Street that are heritage listed are the fig trees and Mooney's Fountain (both state listings). While I definitely think it should be on a list of 80s architecture in Brisbane to be protected, I don't think it's old enough let to be heritage listed.

The logo also now flashes, woop, now they just need to get the sign working/lit up properly. I catch the bus at QCC every arvo and they rarely have the LEDs on these days. My guess is they were celebrating the QLD reds victory.

my pics from the airport link

http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/1525/citywt.jpg

[/URL]

[URL="http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/256/tunnell2.jpg/"]http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/2909/tunnell2.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/4/infinity2q.jpg/)

http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/4586/tunnell1.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/703/tunnell1.jpg/)

http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/8058/tunnell4.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/580/tunnell4.jpg/)

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/1517/tunnell3.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/442/tunnell3.jpg/)

http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/9813/tunnella.jpg

I have live facing the skyline from West End for around 18 months, and I haven't noticed it before.

It sounds like, as Fyver said, they maybe only switch the vertical lights on on certain occasions.

They probably don't turn them on anymore.

There are two vertical strips up each side, and they can also make it run around the n shaped roof feature on top of the building. It can be any colour. From most angles it looks like the strip only goes up one side because the lights are tucked behind protruding blades, hiding them if not viewed from the right vantage point.

when does the tunnel open to cars?

^^ It opens August 1. It will be interesting how well the public takes to this one when the tolling starts.

^^ It opens August 1. It will be interesting how well the public takes to this one when the tolling starts.

They are saying Thursday or Friday .. I can't wait it will cut my drive times drastically.

Thursday or friday this week?? Last I heard, it wasn't open until aug 20...

I'm going by what the Courier Mail story (http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/thousands-turn-out-to-walk-through-brisbanes-new-airportlink-tunnel/story-e6freoof-1226426482748) says. I did try to check the Airportlink website, but they didn't have it anywhere than I could find, which is kinda stupid IMO.

According to the Brisbane Times it will open this week, maybe Thursday, but no later than Saturday.

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/airport-link-no-clem7-operator-says-20120715-2248h.html#poll

It was just advertised on TV, so it looks like it will be pretty soon.

I thought they didn't announce the opening day, so as to avoid causing traffic problems with a rush of sightseers.

[QUOTE=Brisbane_Rulz;93266530]I don't agree that Brisbane is bland, not since a few of the newies have gone up, but I 100% agree re designers and architects rare build anything that isn't just functional, I could say the same thing about Melbourne but to me 101 Collins Street and it's neighbour are outstanding and functional. Riperian and the new one next to it do capture interesting design, but again it's a case of catchup with Sydney who seem to be a bit obsessed with circular buildings a"gain. Maybe we should get a Gerkin type building :lol:

It's not simply a case of putting up a few new buildings to change a city. The richness or blandness of a city also comes down to the people that inhabit a city. As David Malouf says in his book "Johnno"
"Brisbane is so sleepy, so slatternly, so sprawlingly unlovely... It is simply the most ordinary place in the world... It was so shabby and makeshift... a place where poetry could never occur."

Brisbane throughout the 20th century was so plain and boring! No great landmarks, no scene for the arts and creative culture! It was simply a boring place, and certainly kept in the dark ages during the Joh years!

The city we have today with all the improvements to the arts, culture, infrastructure, and skyline has all happened post 2000.

Singapore is a perfect example of what a Government and people can do to transform a city! Pre- 1960, Singapore was primarily swamps and old rundown streets and buildings. Today it's a cultural and economic powerhouse!

Can't believe all the pro-Singaporean BS on this site! Singapore is BY FAR one of the most BORING AND STERILE cities in Asia. Compared to Sydney or even Brisbane it does not rate. As for the Gold Coast, it leaves anything Singapore has got to offer for dead.

As for crap architecture, I would hardly say Brisbane is a backwater. Riparian, 111 Eagle St, Aurora, Soliel, and UC Infinity ( looking great ) are all world class towers. Maybe there are are a few impressive developments in Singapore, but Singapore is a one-party state, not a democracy ( there is no freedom of speech ) and the government does whatever it wants.

If you want a real "Asian experience", forget Hong Kong, Singapore, or even Shanghai or Beijing. Real Asia is places like Chengdu, Nanning Kunming, Wuhan, Hanoi ( still good ) The "modern" Asian cities like Singapore are overpriced, full of snobs, bland, and over-regulated. Even Bangkok is boring these days.

[QUOTE=OUTOFNOWHERE;93284556]

Can't believe all the pro-Singaporean BS on this site! Singapore is BY FAR one of the most BORING AND STERILE cities in Asia. Compared to Sydney or even Brisbane it does not rate. As for the Gold Coast, it leaves anything Singapore has got to offer for dead.

As for crap architecture, I would hardly say Brisbane is a backwater. Riparian, 111 Eagle St, Aurora, Soliel, and UC Infinity ( looking great ) are all world class towers. Maybe there are are a few impressive developments in Singapore, but Singapore is a one-party state, not a democracy ( there is no freedom of speech ) and the government does whatever it wants.

If you want a real "Asian experience", forget Hong Kong, Singapore, or even Shanghai or Beijing. Real Asia is places like Chengdu, Nanning Kunming, Wuhan, Hanoi ( still good ) The "modern" Asian cities like Singapore are overpriced, full of snobs, bland, and over-regulated. Even Bangkok is boring these days.

You have a truly global view - I love that!

Agree. An interesting and thought provoking opinion of Singapore.

[QUOTE=OUTOFNOWHERE;93284556]

Can't believe all the pro-Singaporean BS on this site! Singapore is BY FAR one of the most BORING AND STERILE cities in Asia. Compared to Sydney or even Brisbane it does not rate. As for the Gold Coast, it leaves anything Singapore has got to offer for dead.

As for crap architecture, I would hardly say Brisbane is a backwater. Riparian, 111 Eagle St, Aurora, Soliel, and UC Infinity ( looking great ) are all world class towers. Maybe there are are a few impressive developments in Singapore, but Singapore is a one-party state, not a democracy ( there is no freedom of speech ) and the government does whatever it wants.

If you want a real "Asian experience", forget Hong Kong, Singapore, or even Shanghai or Beijing. Real Asia is places like Chengdu, Nanning Kunming, Wuhan, Hanoi ( still good ) The "modern" Asian cities like Singapore are overpriced, full of snobs, bland, and over-regulated. Even Bangkok is boring these days.

Wow, overreaction much? I've also been to many other places and personally I prefer Vancouver or Tokyo.

Vancouver really is a beautiful city. Sydney and Brisbane are beautiful cities. Hong Kong is still ok ( still has the harbour, mountains, some great skyscrapers ), but is too polluted and expensive now.

I am just trying to point out that Singapore is an overrated city. And there are much better places in Asia for tourists then Singapore. Singapore is very artificial, in comparison to other cities that have a mix of natural and man-made attractions.

I've been there several times and in my opinion they're doing their best with what they have. It's vibrant, dynamic and has a lot going for it. It's not my favourite Asian city, and most of you would already know what that is, but I wouldn't talk SG down.

Had a team breakfast at the Holiday Inn today.

There is no way that you could renovate this to a higher level, the footprint is not there for a Traders level of restaurant

If that's the case, it mustn't worry Traders at all. Interestingly, the hotel is currently listed both on the Holiday Inn website and the Traders website, branded each respectively. What was it branded as today when you went in Davidols?

Edit: Just found my answer. Traders won't accept bookings on their website until August 7.

I stayed at Traders in Singapore and it wasn't that special. It's just another hotel with no real distinguishing features/ selling points.

I am also not a fan of Singapore, and I agree that it seemed very sanitised and boring.

I loved Hong Kong, Tokyo and Kyoto though. I'll be checking out Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou soon too.

If that's the case, it mustn't worry Traders at all. Interestingly, the hotel is currently listed both on the Holiday Inn website and the Traders website, branded each respectively. What was it branded as today when you went in Davidols?

Edit: Just found my answer. Traders won't accept bookings on their website until August 7.

Yes noticed Aug 7 is the date.

Just an unusual choice for a Traders they are nothing special as one other poster pointed out, but frankly it's an ugly black coloured bland building which needs a makeover. It's more like a prison than a welcoming vibrant hotel like say the Marriott.

Just a curiosity re 111 Mary. I noticed yesterday that they had divided the Mary Street loading platform (temp barrier fence) in half. There was a little runaround type bob cat thingy parked there on the 103 side and some other concrete reinforcing steel wire stuff.

Would Billbergia have leased that half to 103 Mary Street to use until they need it to use for themselves to construct their own basement car park?

^^ I'm not sure but I guess it's possible...it's not like Billbergia is using it just yet.

Yes noticed Aug 7 is the date.

Just an unusual choice for a Traders they are nothing special as one other poster pointed out, but frankly it's an ugly black coloured bland building which needs a makeover. It's more like a prison than a welcoming vibrant hotel like say the Marriott.

The most important part of a hotel is what the inside looks like, not the outside. There are a lot of hotels in Brisbane and a few on the Gold Coast that are a damn sight more impressive inside than out. I've never been inside that Holiday Inn, so I'm not sure what it's like, but if the inside isn't half bad, then the outside doesn't matter quite as much IMO!

Whilst it would be good to have the Transit Centre redone to something nicer, Traders has the clout to attact people especially lawyers due to the new courts so it will be fine. It is just a wish list that they could refurb inside and out of the entire centre, but may happen one day.

Just a curiosity re 111 Mary. I noticed yesterday that they had divided the Mary Street loading platform (temp barrier fence) in half. There was a little runaround type bob cat thingy parked there on the 103 side and some other concrete reinforcing steel wire stuff.

Would Billbergia have leased that half to 103 Mary Street to use until they need it to use for themselves to construct their own basement car park?

there would (almost certainly) be an adjoining owners deed allowing the builders/developers of 103 mary st to do stuff on the vision site and vice versa.

One of the "front page" story on the Brisbane Times is about Soliel and One One One Eagle. Nothing we didn't already know obviously, and once again they got the height of Soliel wrong, but it might interest someone.

Inside Brisbane's tallest towers

Date July 24, 2012 - 3:00AM

They are Brisbane's two newest skyscrapers, making up our tallest residential and commercial buildings respectively.

There's little doubt Soleil and One One One Eagle have dramatically changed the Brisbane skyline, but what is happening inside the two towers that have taken the CBD to new heights?

Soleil, built by the billionaire property developer behind Meriton Apartments, Harry Triguboff, comprises 74 levels soaring 234 metres above Brisbane's CBD.

The building houses 464 units in total, but 91 have been retained by Meriton as serviced apartments.

Meriton residential sales agent Eunice Arden-Wood said 345 units had been sold to private owners, with another 28 yet to be sold.

"The vast majority of the apartments are finished and the remaining few will be completed within the month or so, as they have had direct access to a hoist lift, which is no longer in operation," Ms Arden-Wood said.

Nearly 300 owner occupiers and tenants already call the building at 485 Adelaide Street home.

Residents moved in gradually from the first floor up, as more and more levels were completed.

Soleil is the same height as Sydney's tallest residential building tower, Meriton's World Tower. Its 10-level car park required one of the biggest excavations in Brisbane's history.

Despite its promotion as a luxury address, Soleil has no penthouses; a reflection of Brisbane's city property market, according to Mr Triguboff.

Fifty units on the top nine levels – levels 65 to 74, which are yet to be completed – will be retained by Meriton as serviced apartments.

Meriton has also retained another 41 apartments throughout the lower levels.

Shortly before the tower's official launch in September last year, less than 220 of the 464 apartments had sold, a position that would be unbankable for most developers.

Today, 92 per cent of the available apartments have been sold to private owners.

Meanwhile, Brisbane's tallest office tower is preparing for its official opening next week, after the first tenants moved in in July.

At 200 metres, One One One Eagle towers over the 174-metre Central Plaza One, on the corner of Queen and Creek streets.

The $700 million, six-star GreenStar tower reached "practical completion" at the end of June.

The foyer restaurant is now under construction, with the tower's official opening to take place next Wednesday.

All 54 levels of the building, by developer GPT Group, have been completed, but tenants are moving in on a staggered basis depending on the terms of their existing leases elsewhere.

Accounting firm Ernst & Young, which has signed a 10-year lease for 7000 square metres of office space and purchased naming rights, has occupied levels 47 to 51.

Gadens Lawyers moved into its new space on levels 11 to 15, while the ANZ Bank has settled on levels 21 t0 23, and part of level 24.

Xstrata Coal, Solaris Wealth Management, and JWS Lawyers have also set up in the building.

DGR Global, Sumisho Coal, Arrow Energy, ERM Power and The Executive Centre are yet to move in.

The unique design of One One One incorporates a steel structural frame, based on the branches of fig trees, and 3.1 metre ceilings against a fully glazed facade, maximising the extensive skyline and Brisbane River views.

As well as 115 car parking spaces, the building includes 212 lockers and bicycle parking, with changing rooms and shower facilities. 'Fresh Locker' will be operating a towel, dry cleaning and bicycle service located on Level 5 of the building.

Oaks Aurora Tower was Brisbane's tallest tower at 207 metres, before the construction of Soleil. In comparison, Riparian Plaza is 200 metres at roof height (250 metres including the spire).

Soleil will soon be overtaken by another of Mr Triguboff's developments, Infinity on Herschell Street, which will stand at 262 metres.

Infinity will include 546 apartments over 81 storeys and is set to be completed next year.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/property/inside-brisbanes-tallest-towers-20120723-22kaw.html#ixzz21UHn9Ojm

Is 111 having fireworks and all that for it's official opening?

Has anyone noticed the projections onto QPAC at night? It looks so great. I'd love it if it were to be permanent. And what's with the new sails on the Wheel of Brisbane?

I actually took some photos of it and dropped them into the Random Photo of the day thread:


As part of the Delectable Brisbane event being shown through the city, but particularly in South Bank, they have set up a series of projectors to project these visually spectacular moving graphics onto the side of QPAC. The video footage I got was a bit dodgy (forgot my tripod) but I got a couple of decent photos:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8004/7626607746_cb52966c23_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/76513211@N07/7626607746/)
P7220199 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/76513211@N07/7626607746/) by Nathan Murray (http://www.flickr.com/people/76513211@N07/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7248/7626613418_b64bb325c9_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/76513211@N07/7626613418/)
P7220198 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/76513211@N07/7626613418/) by Nathan Murray (http://www.flickr.com/people/76513211@N07/), on Flickr

Oh god I wish it were permanent. It's so vibrant and really lights up the city.

Has anyone noticed the projections onto QPAC at night? It looks so great. I'd love it if it were to be permanent. And what's with the new sails on the Wheel of Brisbane?

The sails on the wheel have projections on them at night as well :)

It looks great at night! never have my camera on me though!

Absolutely spectacular! I would pay to make that permanent!

That looks amazing, which pretty much guarantees it will be temporary.

They're on until Sunday night, so anyone else keen to get photos or video of it still have a chance!

Why can't Clive palmer actually do something decent with his money rather then creating another bloody titanic, spend the money here to spruce up Brisbane/Queensland!!!

Saw on 10 news that they wanna open up Brunswick St Mall for traffic...

^^ Yep, the Courier Mail and Brisbane Times were reporting it too. Check out the Valley Retail Thread! ;)

My initial reaction was that getting rid of the Valley Mall would be a bad thing. I remember it opening, and also the great positive that has been the Queen St Mall. But thinking about it more now, the Valley one (and Chinatown) have been a failure, and probably nothing could save them. May as well go back to traffic.

^^ I'd want to see a proposal first to be honest... I don't think that "it failed, let's reopen it" is good enough reason to reopen it. If it would create a better situation for Brunswick Street's retail activation, I'm prepared to listen, but if there's no substantial benefit to it over having the mall as it currently is, I'd prefer the mall to stay.

I think Chinatown Mall is a huge success and beautiful. I think The Valley Mall is on the wrong street (Warner would have been a better option, car flow-wise) and I lean towards reopening but would be ecstatic with only a makeover.

^^ But the orientation of the buildings like McWhirters and TC Beirne dictated that it had to be Brunswick Street that was malled. Warner Street comprises of the back end of McWhirters and its neighbouring buildings, the old McWhirters Bulk Store opposite, and the carpark...hardly mall material.

Yeah. Although, if you build it ... blah blah blah?

Poor Warner. That's my street! It never used to be so crappy. I promise. I think it could make a nice street again but the council keeps rejecting my (IMHO amazing) ideas. :D

Great, opening it up for cars and destroying the amenities.

What about converting it into a TOD? Let buses and perhaps taxi's to an extent use the street even at night time. Build a nice bus interchange that integrates with the surrounding shops, can be used by services that are going from the city to New Farm to turn right into it rather than the next street down. It can also work well if nightlink bus services then started using it as the bulk of the people are always hanging around the valley mall and can catch transport from there.

Great, opening it up for cars and destroying the amenities.

What about converting it into a TOD? Let buses and perhaps taxi's to an extent use the street even at night time. Build a nice bus interchange that integrates with the surrounding shops, can be used by services that are going from the city to New Farm to turn right into it rather than the next street down. It can also work well if nightlink bus services then started using it as the bulk of the people are always hanging around the valley mall and can catch transport from there.

That is far too sensible and practical and hence will never happen...

*-Woot - First post*

Wow this topic seems to be bringing a lot of new commenters out of the woodworks.

I'd just like to say hi to all the newbies :hi:

One of the "front page" story on the Brisbane Times is about Soliel and One One One Eagle. Nothing we didn't already know obviously, and once again they got the height of Soliel wrong, but it might interest someone.

I think that they made a mistake with 111 Eagle also. 195 metres high, not 200.

I have seen a lot of conflicting info about Soliel too. 234 metres, or 243 metres? As far as I knew it is 243 metres officially.

And is Infinity 262m to roof or 249m?

^^ Ahh yes, they did too! As far as I know, Soliel is definitely 243 metres. Infinity I'm not sure about though...249 metres according to Emporis and CTBUH, but Meriton themselves word it that "Infinity will soar 262 metres high and boasts views unmatched." I'm sure this has been discussed in the past, but I can't remember what the end verdict was. Anybody remember?

One is height above ground level, the other is height above sea level.

The 234m figure also comes from the Adelaide St entrance.

Can't find the correct thread so I'll post it here. I've heard a rumour that Suncorp will take posession of the old Supreme Court site on September 1.

It doesn't really sound too right as I don't know why Suncorp would be bidding and it seems to fast however I thought I'd put it out there to see if anyone can confirm.

Can't find the correct thread so I'll post it here. I've heard a rumour that Suncorp will take posession of the old Supreme Court site on September 1.

It doesn't really sound too right as I don't know why Suncorp would be bidding and it seems to fast however I thought I'd put it out there to see if anyone can confirm.

Doesn't sound right to me. Late last year Suncorp were looking long and hard for a new office building to consolidate their existing operations under one roof, but I thought this was reported to be in Southbank? See Brisbane times article below;

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/giant-heads-south-for-new-headquarters-20111129-1o41b.html

Unless they've abandoned the southbank idea now they have a better offer?

Yes, Southpoint has been canned.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=546487&page=20

Although the Fin Review yesterday said that Suncorp were still in talks regarding the new design.

One is height above ground level, the other is height above sea level.

If Infinity really is 262 metres to roof level it will be one of the tallest in Australia by far. But I understand that Infinity is 249 metres to roof above ground level, still very tall by Australian standards.

I think you are right.

Just a quick Costco Northlakes update for anyone interested .. there are two DA's one for the main Costco building itself and another for the Chemical Storage aspect which is essentially their petrol station.

The chemical storage DA has been approved but the main DA is listed as being in "the decision stage" Does anyone know how long that stage can take?

Under the Sustainable Planning Act, the Decision Stage is 20 business days (4 weeks), with the assessment manager able to extend by a further 20 business days.

Under the Sustainable Planning Act, the Decision Stage is 20 business days (4 weeks), with the assessment manager able to extend by a further 20 business days.

Thanks mate .. very helpful!

With yesterday's celebration of the 30th Birthday of the Queen Street Mall, the Lord Mayor has flagged a possible shared zone-style extension of the mall northwards in the coming years. I wouldn't be against seeing the mall extend up to Creek Street past the GPO and Post Office Square.

Mayor flags extension to Brisbane's Queen Street Mall

From: The Courier-Mail August 08, 2012 5:59AM

BRISBANE'S Queen Street Mall may be extended as the city council moves to cope with the city's growth.

As he marked the mall's 30th birthday yesterday, Lord Mayor Cr Graham Quirk said an extension further north along Queen St could be on the cards in the future.

"Over the next 20 years we are expecting pedestrian movements in our CBD to increase by around 30 per cent so we do need to think ahead," Cr Quirk said.

About 26 million people visit the mall each year.

Any extension of the mall was likely to include provision for slow moving traffic.

"I don't believe we would see a full mall extension. It may be a shared extension, (with) some traffic use but also broad pedestrian use," Cr Quirk said.



Source: Courier Mail (http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/mayor-flags-extension-to-brisbanes-queen-street-mall/story-e6freon6-1226445520036)

In the Brisbane Times today. Empty ferries on the Brisbane River Crossings.
Perhaps a longterm solution would be more Bridges?


Ghost boats cruise the Brisbane River
Date
August 8, 2012 - 5:22AM
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Katherine Feeney
brisbanetimes.com.au urban affairs reporter and blogger
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Empty ferries aplenty
Patronage on Brisbane's cross-river ferries is sinking, with several trips made each day without any passengers on board.
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More than 6000 'ghost trips' are made by Brisbane's cross-river ferries each year, figures from TransLink reveal.

The monohull ferry servicing New Farm Park and Norman Park crosses the river without passengers about 17 times a day, based on average patronage numbers and timetable information.

According to data supplied to brisbanetimes.com.au from TransLink, average patronage for the ferry, which makes 154 crossings a day, seven days a week, is 50,000 passengers per year, or about 137 passengers per day.


Cross-river ferry services often have no passengers. Photo: Glen Hunt
That equates to roughly 6000 more services than passengers annually, or an average of 0.8 passengers per crossing per day.

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Meanwhile patronage on Brisbane’s other two-stop ferry, which services Bulimba and Teneriffe, is down on average thanks in part to a January timetable change which saw CityCats introduced to the cross-river service.

Following the change, passenger numbers dropped from about 266,000 in 2010-11 to around 240,000 last financial year, which equates to just under four passengers per service on average based on 168 total daily Bulimba and Teneriffe crossings.

But a TransLink spokeswoman said patronage on the three-stop Kangaroo Point to city cross-river ferry service was up nearly ten per cent on last financial year to a new average of 390,000 passenger trips annually.

In total, an average of 680,000 passenger trips are made across 448 cross-river services a year, about 4.2 people per crossing.

However despite the low passenger numbers, Brisbane City Council public transport chairman Peter Matic said there were no plans to remove the CityFerry services from its $34.7 million ferry operating budget.

While he acknowledged the popularity of CityCats had negatively impacted their monohull cousins, Cr Matic said they were nonetheless a vital part of the city's public transport network.

"That's not to say that we're not always looking to make the best use of our CityFerries and we make changes where necessary, including reinventing them as we have with the popular CityHopper tourist loop,” he said.

The $6 million CityHopper service was launched by Lord Mayor Graham Quirk last month in a bid to attract tourists and promote the monohulls to locals.

Cr Quirk justified the expense on the grounds the service would help promote local tourist destinations, reduce traffic congestion and give ferry patronage a “much-needed shot in the arm”.

Last year, brisbanetimes.com.au reported the total number of CityCat and ferry passengers had dropped from 470,134 to 406,308 from July 2010 to July 2011, though services were significantly disrupted by floods.

Each CityFerry vessel is staffed by one master. There is one vessel per two-stop cross-river service, two for the three-stop run, and every ferry follows a timetable that does not fluctuate based on demand.

I think the mall is fine sized as it is, and I wouldn't like to see Edward St lost to traffic.

I think the mall is fine sized as it is, and I wouldn't like to see Edward St lost to traffic.

Edward would have to stay as is, but I'd imagine a crossing put in place and the Edward - creek street part shut ... don't really see why, as there are limited opportunities there for retail.

Given the pedestrian traffic acros PO square I don't know why it isn't mall already - and if you drive the section on the weekend it's void of cars except taxi's really and I don't think any buildings along here have vehicular access from Queens st. Wasn't this stretch supposed to extend the QSBS under?

^^ With the works they did extending the footpath and adding gardens between Edward Street and the GPO, they've almost malled it anyway. There's really not much reason for it to remain a road – there's no carpark entrances along there, and apart from a couple of bus stops and the Aust Post loading zone, there's no real need for any vehicles to be able to access that stretch of road. They definitely should at least explore turing it into a full shared zone at least (a la Chinatown Mall), if they can't fully mall it.

Edward would have to stay as is, but I'd imagine a crossing put in place and the Edward - creek street part shut ... don't really see why, as there are limited opportunities there for retail.

Actually, there is a lot more potential for retail there than you might think. For example, there is an approved redevelopment plan for the GPO which would see it accommodate a host of new retail within it, with a new internal arcade being opened up that would come off GPO lane and wrap around the side, coming out beside the BoQ Building. Part of the redevelopment (albeit modified) was done to create the the flagship Aust Post Store...maybe malling that part of Queen Street might encourage the rest of the project.

http://i.imgur.com/0SSCv.jpg?1

http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/1048/brisbanegpoinfillcrop.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/705/brisbanegpoinfillcrop.jpg/)k.us[/URL]

There's also opportunity in a major refurbishment to Post Office Square, a better boutique retail offering in Manor Apartments and, potentially, if Suncorp could be coaxed out of Suncorp Metway Chambers that would make a great flagship. Add a high end restaurant in the front of the NAB Building (they were trying to get a bar of some sort in there) and some good retail into the vacant tenancies in the Hancock Building on the corner of Queen and Creek, and it would make it into a good extension of the mall.

I'm putting this question on here rather then keep 55 off topic.

I'm confused re the talk about the Admiralty Towers repaint. Isn't Admiralty 2 the largest of the group? The painting seems to me to be on the smaller one next to it....unless what I think is new paint, isn't.

The smaller tower was the first built so I guess it is tower 1.
There are two towers in Admiralty Towers, the third tower is Admiralty Quay and has a separate body corp.

Or are you referring to River Place??

Or are you referring to River Place??

There are four towers on the river, three developed by Kevin Seymour's group, Admiralty Towers 1 and 2 and Admiralty Quays, River place was developed by that urban design criminal David Devine.