Stunning new Gabba design flips Olympic stadium race on its head

The Gabba would be redeveloped into a world class 55,000 seat stadium and nestled beside a sparkling new Brisbane Arena in the latest Olympic proposal for 2032.

The Gabba Olympic precinct stadium render, designed by HAL Architects.

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Creating an Olympic Park precinct with a rebuilt Gabba alongside Brisbane Arena is the most “logical” and cheapest option, the state’s infrastructure review will be told.

A battle of architects is underway across the city to design the stadiums and linking infrastructure to service the 2032 event.

Amid increasing calls from stakeholders and major sporting codes for the government to build a new stadium at Victoria Park – including Queensland Cricket chief executive Terry Svenson who says Brisbane has “out-grown” the Gabba Stadium, and that he and Brisbane Lions CEO Greg Swann intend to pitch the Victoria Park precinct to the 100-day review committee – The Courier-Mail can reveal another bold proposal to overhaul the centralised Gabba precinct.

Brisbane’s Hayes Anderson Lynch Architects’ plans include a rebuilt 55,000-seat Gabba linked with a raised platform over Main St to Brisbane Arena.

The design, slated to go before the seven-member 100-day review panel this week, proposes a return to the plan Brisbane had when it won the Games in 2021.

The new Gabba would seat 55,000.

A major concourse would link the Gabba with Brisbane Arena and the Cross River Rail station while a pedestrian spine would snake alongside the Riverside Expressway and deviate left to link with the Goodwill Bridge.

HAL Architects director Elizabeth Anderson argued the Gabba was the “only globally recognised Brisbane landmark” that made sense.

“Annastacia had it right,” she said.

“We’re trying to use as much of the existing infrastructure to reduce costs where possible.”

Raymond Park would be used as a warm-up track and East Brisbane State School would be relocated, but the buildings remain.

“I don’t really see what the big deal with that – it’s a temporary use of infrastructure,” Ms Anderson said.

The precinct looking from the west.

The Gabba would be rebuilt within the existing squeezed site, cantilevered above Vulture and Stanley streets which would close to vehicle traffic during a major event.

“It’s a much more efficient use of the space,” Ms Anderson said.

“It’s the only option that makes any sense … there’s no new stadium.

“We’re not taking over a park that’s so incredible and pristine.”

Brisbane Arena would hold 17,000.

Brisbane Arena would be used as a temporary pool during the Games before becoming the “new Boondall” entertainment venue in the city.

Ms Anderson said the existing space and public transport connections made the Gabba the “logical thing to do”.

While she declared it the “most cost-effective option”, Ms Anderson acknowledged little analytical work had gone into the proposal.

The seven-member review panel, led by Stephen Conry, will recommend to the state government what infrastructure to build for the 2032 Games.

Queenslanders can also make personal submissions to the panel.