Eagle Street Pier to be transformed under $2b development plan
It’s been Brisbane’s fine dining hub for more than three decades, but now Eagle Street Pier will be transformed as part of a massive development approved by the State Government. SEE THE PLANS
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A MASSIVE new waterfront leisure destination will be built in Brisbane’s city heart after gaining approval from the State Government.
The ageing Eagle Street Pier, which served as the city’s central port throughout its first century and a fine dining hub for the past three decades, will be transformed as part of a $2.1 billion development.
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Called Waterfront Brisbane, the precinct planned by owner Dexus includes two commercial office towers and dozens of restaurant locations that will overlook a “green corridor” of public space on the waterfront.
However the project, slated to begin in 2021, will sound the death knell of some of Brisbane’s landmark drinking and dining destinations at their current locations, including Cha Cha Char and Il Centro.
The 10-year development will add to the plethora of projects planned, approved or recently completed in the Queensland capital, including Brisbane Live, Queens Wharf, the new airport runway, the Port of Brisbane cruise ship terminal and Howard Smith Wharves.
“The Waterfront Brisbane proposal is a city-shaping development for Brisbane’s CBD and one that the Queensland Government is proud to facilitate with Dexus for the benefit of the Brisbane and Queensland community,” State Development Minister Cameron Dick told The Courier-Mail.
The agreement with the Government through the new Investment Facilitation and Partnerships framework gives Dexus the green light to begin detailed design and development applications for the site, which includes areas of State-owned land.
Dexus’ controversial original proposal to open up more of the riverfront to public space by building on a stretch of Eagle Street between Market and Charlotte streets has been erased from the latest plan after it was rejected by the Brisbane City Council.
The decision will leave the development with 7900 square metres of open space, including 3900 sq m in the old Eagle Street Pier area, rather than the 15,000 sq m first proposed.
However the latest plans will significantly enhance the riverfront promenade, allowing seamless travel for pedestrians and cyclists, and include a market square and veranda terraces.
The company estimates Waterfront Brisbane will need 1120 workers annually during the construction phase and the development will kick $5.7 billion over four decades into the Queensland economy.
“This is a significant milestone that unlocks the considerable potential in this Brisbane CBD gateway site which has sat under-developed for almost 30 years,” Dexus chief investment officer Ross Du Vernet said.
“Its scale and central riverfront location provide a truly unique opportunity to create a world-class destination for city workers, residents and tourists.”
The pier area was the site of Brisbane’s first major wharf in 1858, which stretched 270m along the waterfront and was used to dock passenger and cargo ships until 1960.
The derelict wharves became a car park before the site underwent a renaissance in the late 1980s when it was turned into a distinctive dome-topped dining precinct with public boardwalk.
MOVING FEAST
Eagle Street Pier venues that will have to be relocated:
■ Cha Cha Char
■ Fratelli Famous
■ George’s Paragon Seafood Restaurant
■ Il Centro
■ Jade Buddha
■ Mr & Mrs G Riverbar
■ Pony Dining
■ Sake Restaurant & Bar
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