Grants and incentives of up to $500,000 are being offered to retailers to establish at Portside Wharf in Brisbane as part of a $20 million enhancement program revitalising the mixed-use riverfront precinct ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Summer Olympics.
Up to 23 packages, ranging from $50,000 to $500,000, will be available under the initiative which aims to curate a thriving and carefully aligned mix of retailers in the waterfront village.
Brookfield Properties Executive Vice President Lee Butterworth said the grants and incentives program was envisioned as a way of partnering with retailers who shared its vision for the beloved riverside village.
“The idea behind the program is to carefully curate the village mix. We want to work with like-minded operators who will become an integral part of Hamilton and Brisbane at large,” he said.
There are some 9,000 residents in Hamilton with another 4,700 people working in the 20 minute neighbourhood, and those numbers are expected to surge as we move closer to the Games.
“This is our way of ensuring we bring the right partners to Portside and inject new energy into our village by the water. We’ll be making opportunities available for established businesses, emerging businesses and entrepreneurs.”
Mr Butterworth said retailers across five categories – health and wellness, waterfront dining, local social hub, lifestyle boutique and curated convenience – were invited to apply, with the grants funnelled into areas most helpful.
“This might include assisting with the cost of establishing and fitting-out, designs costs, marketing support, or any aspect that would benefit each retailer in locating,” he said.
The first stage of the village revitalisation kicked off in 2023, attracting a string of new retailers to the village including fine dining seafood restaurant Fosh, helmed by leading Brisbane restaurateur Michael Tassis, French boulangerie and salon de thé Rise Bakery, yakitori bar Bird’s Nest and artisanal gelato store Rosé Gelateria.
Modern family-friendly sushi restaurant Choo Choo Sushi opened its doors early this month (1 February), with advanced fit-out underway on multi-regional Chinese restaurant Uncle Wang – its second venue in Brisbane following its success at The Barracks – and Sugee Ramen, both set to open in the coming weeks.
Tassis Group director Michael Tassis, who is behind the Fosh and Fosh Tails eateries, said all expectations had ‘been blown out of the water’ since opening.
“We’ve been embraced by the local community, for both our up-market riverfront dining and take-away experiences, which demonstrates the pent-up demand for new retail offerings in this one-of-a-kind location,” he said.
Retailers are invited to lodge an expression of interest before 19 April at inportsidewharf.com.au
INITIATIVE HIGHLIGHTS
- Up to 23 retailer packages available under the offer
- Grants and incentive packages of between $50,000 and $500,000
- Flexible packages on offer, including fitouts and marketing contributions and rent support (among a range of options)
- Available retail spaces range from 53 sqm to 990 sqm
- Expressions of interest close 19 April
- Opportunities within established village, as well as new-to-market opportunities on the Brisbane riverfront below the new Gallery House and Rivello apartment buildings
- Part of the $20 million precinct enhancement program currently underway
PORTSIDE WHARF FACTS
- Built 2006
- Village comprises 13,877 sqm of retail space
- [4,000 residents] live within 20 minutes working distance
- [1,500] workers in the area
MAJOR TENANTS
- Fosh (and Fosh Tails)
- Sono
- Dendy Cinemas
- Rise Bakery
- Choo Choo Sushi
- Rose Geleratia
- Birds Nest
- IGA
- Sense of Taste
- Jett’s Fitness
- Byblos
- Gusto da Gianni
COMING SOON
- Uncle Wang
- Sugee Ramen
