New details on plan to redevelop Brisbane’s Howard Smith Wharves

New details and images have been revealed as plans to redevelop one of Brisbane’s most popular riverside precincts take shape.

A new boutique hotel is featured in images of the proposed expansion of Howard Smith Wharves. Picture: Supplied

Grand river stairs, more pontoons, wider shared pathways, more shade and Australia’s greenest restaurant are among features newly detailed in the plan to redevelop one of Brisbane’s most popular riverside precincts.

Howard Smith Wharves developer Artemus Group has shared new images of its latest development for the prime riverfront area as its application awaits Brisbane City Council approval.

Large amphitheatre-style stairs and seating would flow down to the river from the ground floor of the new nine-storey, red brick, 77-bedroom luxury boutique hotel, which is replacing the existing Felons Barrel Hall.

This story is part of The Courier-Mail’s annual Future Brisbane series advocating for a focus on the right legacy outcomes from the hosting of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. You can read all of our coverage here.

Kira Eagles and Lucas Eckersley share a drink under the Story Bridge at Howard Smith Wharves. The site is getting a makeover. Picture: Liam Kidston

Another “grand staircase” would feature as a casual recreation and seating space at the front of the redeveloped Rivershed with prime city and Story Bridge viewing.

The hotel will also have a rooftop restaurant with integrated gardens.

There will be an additional 8500 sqm of outdoor space in the surrounding precinct including new shaded walkways, seating areas and comfy lawn spaces.

Sections of the shared pathway that connects New Farm to the city will be widened to up to 9m with more of the walkways to become covered to protect visitors from the harsh weather.

There will also be new pontoons, which have already been approved, that will include floating temporary venues to help maintain offerings and keep staff employed during construction.

Future Brisbane - New render for the proposed expansion of Howard Smith Wharves Picture Supplied

“This is about just dialling up what we’ve learned about what we love about Brisbane, and what we’ve been able to experience down here every day, what people tell us that they love about Brisbane and Howard Smith Wharves,” Artemus Group CEO Luke Fraser said.

Mr Fraser likened the ongoing transformation of the old shipping area to that of London’s East End, which turned from desolate docklands to a bustling cityscape full of trendy eateries in the wake of the 2012 Games.

“Howard Smith Wharves has really benefited from that gentrification of the whole inner city areas,” Mr Fraser said.

“London’s East End is a great example of taking an old place, using that (Olympics) timeline to put a lot of capital, energy and rejuvenation into it.

“Our city has that same opportunity. It does encourage us to dream big.”

Earlier images of the plans revealed the current Rivershed would be turned into a bar and dining precinct, and upgraded to include the Brisbane River’s first overhanging pool deck, which Mr Fraser revealed will offer European-style hospitality.

“Imagine those great experiences that you’ve either been to or seen on in the Mediterranean and around water. Great food, great drink at like a club, lounging around, getting a full immersive experience,” he said.

The expansion would include more casual seating spaces. Picture: Supplied

Mr Fraser said Bougainvillea House, currently a single storey event space with a wraparound veranda, would be reimagined into “Australia’s greenest restaurant and event space”.

The twelve bulk beverage storage tanks to be erected in a bid to reduce packaging and stock deliveries could hold everything from water, kombucha, wine and beer that can be piped throughout the entire precinct.

“We’ve set ourselves a new target to be the most sustainable precinct on the planet … and we think Brisbane deserves that,” Mr Fraser said.

Mr Fraser said construction was expected to take a minimum two years and be completed well before 2032.

“We’d like to deliver it as early as possible,” he said,

“What we need to do in the city is not deliver new things, new experiences, on the eve of 2032.

“I think the Olympics glow is a before and after thing and so the sooner these experiences can be completed, people coming and experiencing them will go off and tell the world and it will be that self fulfilling prophecy where people coming and looking to book those experiences.”