The Fortitude Valley is rapidly going through a new entertainment revival with several key transformative entertainment venues being completed or gaining council approval.
Last week, a new cinema complex inside the Valley Metro was approved by council. Under the approved plans, the aging Valley Metro will also undergo an extensive refurbishment to the external entrance off Brunswick Street as well as inside the retail centre.
Numerous key public realm improvements are planned as part of the development which include:
- Refurbished Brunswick Street Entrance canopy to provide a welcoming, legible gateway to Valley Metro precinct.
- New flexible Urban Common to facilitate a community-driven public space, that’s surrounded by natural light and landscape.
- Providing new & refurbished pedestrian linkage to allow access from all direction to Fortitude Valley Train Station.
- Potential Public Artwork installation to be further developed in future stage.
Designed by Architectus, the key masterplan design principle is to create new links and refurbish existing links into the revitalised central retail space in the site’s heart.
According to the application, future connections to Alfred St and Alden St are to be delivered upon implementation of adjoining development approvals.
Inside the revitalised centre, there will be a new five-screen cinema, upgraded central urban common space and expanded retail offerings.
Outside, the Brunswick Street entrance will undergo a complete refurbishment with new active shop fronts to the street. Additionally, an increased entry canopy and internal ceiling height aim to provide a better sense of arrival and a more defined & inviting entry point.
The development application number for this project is A005092336.
Waltons Building Announcement
After 35 years of being in the hands of the family-owned Mount Cathay investment company, the now run-down Walton’s Building at 240 Brunswick Street was bought in April this year by Sydney fund manager Millinium Capital.
Millinium plans to propose a mixed-use property development in 2019 which would see a redevelopment comprising of commercial, residential and retail use.
The heritage Walton’s building which sits on a 3,489 square metre site was built in the early 1900s and was home to major department stores Waltons, TC Beirne and McWhirters before its closure in 1987.
Fortitude Music Hall
This Friday, the long-awaited Fortitude Music hall, Brisbane’s newest live music venue in the heart of the Fortitude Valley is officially opening.
The art-deco inspired $43 million music hall has a capacity of 3,300 and spans a massive 2,500sqm. It is the brainchild of Hutchinson Builders chairman Scott Hutchinson, former Powderfinger member John Collins, and co-founder of Secret Sounds Paul Piticco.
The development represents a ‘replacement’ of the famous 4,000-capacity Festival Hall in the CBD which was demolished in 2003 to make way for a residential apartment tower known as Festival Towers.
Fortitude Music hall was modelled largely off ideas from Philadelphia’s Filmore theatre.
FV Retail
FV’s third and final tower ‘no.1’ has been completed which has brought new retail offerings on street level.
Foresters restaurant and bar, a 180 seat venue has opened beneath FV’s Peppers resort in the heritage-listed Forester’s Hall. Foresters is a collaboration between FV developer Tim Gurner and Signature Hospitality Group.
In addition to the restaurant below, Developer Tim Gurner has announced plans for a new rooftop bar known as ‘Altitude at Foresters’ which will boast cabana-style booths and views towards the Story Bridge. Once completed, the new 250sqm bar is said to rival Sydney’s Ivy, a large rooftop pool bar and night club.
