Queensland Premier Campbell Newman has unveiled his plans for a city renaissance, starting with the city’s rundown government quarter.
The Government plans to sell off several state owned buildings along George Street and William Street to the private sector.
- Buildings including the Executive Building will be demolished
- Selling off land and leasing back from private sector is said to be a cheaper alternative to government redevelopment
- New pedestrian plaza in front of Parliament House
- New riverside boardwalk with leisure and entertainment facilities
- Cultural hub built under and over the Riverside Expressway
- Over 18,000 new jobs during the 5 year construction
- Billions of dollars in private capital for new hotels, a potential new casino, commercial space, residential space, cultural facilities, entertainment, recreational and retail space
- Government calls for redevelopment of state owned buildings on 80, 100 & 102 George Street
The plan calls for the strategic redevelopment of key sites in George and William Streets with a focus on mixed use functionality including commercial, retail, residential, hotel and cultural amenities.
“Importantly, it will protect and celebrate the heritage buildings in the area including the old printing buildings, Harris Terrace and the Mansions in George Street.”
Mr Newman said a key aim of the Precinct Master Plan was to start rationalising the Government’s office portfolio and revitalise the precinct through mixed-use development.
He said the State would underpin the redevelopment by remaining a major tenant in the Precinct.
“To start the redevelopment, the Government is now calling for registrations of interest for the construction of a new office tower of up to 60,000 square metres at 1 William Street.
“This vacant site, currently being used as a carpark, has been designated for government office development since 1974 and is the logical site for government administration given its proximity to Parliament.
“The Government will also seek options for the redevelopment and enhancement of 80, 100 and 102 George Street through an Expression of Interest process, providing up to 60,000 square metres of additional office space.”
Housing and Public Works Minister Bruce Flegg said the Precinct Plan was an unprecedented opportunity to enhance Brisbane’s reputation as a vibrant city with modern architecture set in a well-planned urban environment.
“The last documented plan for the Government Administrative Precinct was in 1974, so this really is an area ripe for significant revitalisation particularly when considered with the area under the freeway,” Dr Flegg said.
“It will give the local building industry a much needed shot in the arm and will allow for the rationalisation and improved efficiency of government office accommodation within the Central Business District.
“It’s also the perfect opportunity to improve the traffic flow around the precinct.
“The sale of prime real estate also opens up significant opportunities for private sector investment in commercial office space, retail and residential sites.”
The Queensland Government Administrative Precinct area stretches from Queen Street to the Botanic Gardens, and from the river’s edge to Albert Street.
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Architectural design
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By 23 reviewer(s)
2omniscient
2blocked
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John
Looks awesome that section of the city badly needs some TLC currently it looks bloody terrible lets just hope those retards that opposed Northbank keep there collective mouths shut heres a real opportunity to beautify our city good on ya Newman.
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Mikco
Yes it looks lovely, but will it be a nice place to go with the road noise? They need to figure out how to make it quiet, then it could be really nice.
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blacknganga
Btw, this has nothing on the massive Barangaroo parkland that Sydney is soon to recieve… unfortunately no other city can compete with Sydney’s physical beauty, to the extent that a visitor entering the Harbour would be viewing one of the asthetically finest examples of modern commercial architecture, mainly due to the Opera House and also the sculptural interplay of the magnificent Governor Philip, Chifley, Aurora and Deutsche Bank Place Towers… Melbourne and Brisbane are out of the prestige competition. Melbourne has to fight on with it’s array of avant garde edifices, and Brisbane with it’s uber-modern conformity
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blacknganga
Sole, Brisbane’s CBD is no uglier than Sydney’s, and Brisbane’s highrise are certainly no uglier than Melbourne’s…
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Phil
WTF, Campbell Newman has horrible taste and for some reason personally decides what is good and bad. This is a ruse and nothing more, to pay back all the developers that paid for his campaign. The redevelopment look almost as bad as what’s there already…he is all about the quick action and blame game, without any realy thought of what is the best solution. He is such a shit talker
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Sole
It is finally good to see Brisbane moving with the times. Compared with Melbourne and Sydney we really are the ugly duckling. We need something that will make us stand out in front of them. This is exactly what we need!!! There is no good time to do it, it just needs to be done.
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Jesse Lockhart-Krause
Very interesting short article on borrowing funds to pay for project:
“Bonds are a golden opportunity for infrastructure borrowing” http://www.qut.edu.au/about/news/news?news-id=46035
This would allow some of the more important buildings, such as the law court at 304 George Street, a important civic site, to be kept in public hands.
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simput
Does anyone know whether the EOI has been released and where to find it?
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R U Serious
The photo you have shown is not “Newman’s plan” at all rather a concept image that Cox Raynor Architects drafted for the former Bligh government a few years back. Newman admitted this at his press conference (which I attended).
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