Howard Smith Wharves plans unveiled
It’s been called the last link in Brisbane’s riverfront development, but final plans for the Howard Smith Wharves have now been revealed.
A new restaurant and bar will be built, jutting out into the Brisbane River.
It’s the centrepiece of the $100 million redevelopment of the historic Howard Smith Wharves, underneath the Story Bridge.
Drift, the last floating restaurant in Brisbane, was destroyed by the 2011 floods. Project managers say this will be built with Queensland’s unpredictable weather in mind.
“We’re going through a very detailed process to ensure that everything we do doesn’t cause adverse flood impacts and that structure can withstand a flood event in the future,” said Luke Fraser, Development Director for the Howard Smith Wharves Consortium.
There will also be a new 164 room hotel, as well as an exhibition space with room for 1000 guests.
The heritage listed sheds will remain. They’ll be refurbished and reinvented as restaurants, a craft brewery, artisan bakery and coffee roastery.
A feature of the precinct will be its edible landscape. The developers call it ‘urban agriculture’. Food, grown on site, will be cooked on site and eaten on site.
“It’s very much about people who are craftsmen and are passionate about what they do,” says consortium director, Adam Flaskas.
“It’s a great place to showcase Brisbane at its best. People down here having lunch or dinner, on the river, looking at the City, in an amazing location, it’ll be fantastic.”
He is already in talks with several renowned chefs and restaurant operators. But he’s keeping secret details of who’s already on board.
Mr Flaskas describes the plans as “low scale” development. Nothing will be built higher than the cliffs.
“This site has an aura that is very unique,” says Mr Flaskas.
Brisbane City Council will approve the plans next week.
More than 80% of the 3.4 hectare site will be reserved for parkland and public space.
“It will be a place that people will flock to,” Lord Mayor Graham Quirk predicted.
“This is the missing link in the river. It’s the last of the inner city wharf areas … and we’re looking very much forward to seeing it redeveloped.”
Construction will start as early as March next year, with restaurants expected to open in 2017.
