Howard Smith Wharves opens on Brisbane riverside

Brisbane’s premiere new riverside precinct might still look like a construction zone but today marks the opening of its public green spaces and the first of two lifts on the site.

BRISBANE’S premiere new river precinct the Howard Smith Wharves might still look like a construction zone but today marks the opening of its public green spaces and the first of two lifts on the site.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk was on site this morning to officially open the entertainment and function spaces which will see the first of a heavily booked schedule of events get underway in the waterfront venue tonight.

With grinders still whirring in the background and the sounds of final touches being added, Cr Quirk said many elements of the precinct, which had been years in the making, would now begin to open.

Howard Smith Wharves opening. Picture: Andrea Macleod

The events spaces, which are heavily booked through to 2021 including for the 2018 New Year’s Eve functions, opens with an aviation function tonight. Mr Percivals, the much anticipated over-the-water-bar will open later this month and the Felons Brewing Co is scheduled to have patrons sipping pots in weeks.

While there were grumbles about it not being a very ambient spot for the public just yet, Cr Quirk said the lifestyle and leisure precinct would “create more to see and do, completing the missing link along the inner city reaches of the Brisbane River.”

The first lift at Howard Smith Wharves. Picture: Andrea Macleod

Work continues at Howard Smith Wharves. Picture: Andrea Macleod

The precinct will ultimately feature a new concept Greek restaurant and bar by Jonathan Barthelmess, Toko Brisbane by Matt Yazbek and a 180-seat Asian eatery Stanley Restaurant by restaurateur Andrew Baturo.

Ongoing construction at Howard Smith Wharves. Picture: Andrea Macleod.

Mr Percivals, designed and inspired by Brisbane’s own Anna Spiro, is fast taking shape. Opening is November 29.

“Once complete, Howard Smith Wharves will be a must-see destination, with some of the world’s best chefs and restaurants opening later this year, as well as a luxury boutique hotel in 2019,” Cr Quirk said.

Howard Smith Wharves green space. Picture: Andrea Macleod

“The game-changing project will reactivate 3.4 hectares of Brisbane’s riverside and provide a new water’s edge public park, available for people to enjoy Brisbane’s lifestyle.”

Howard Smith Wharves CEO Luke Fraser said today’s milestone was the start of a process that would culminate with the hotel opening in March 2019.

“We want to welcome all of Brisbane down to the precinct. Tonight we are hosting our first event and we are jam packed until Christmas and there are really exciting openings over the next few weeks.”

“It’s a big project with a lot of stakeholders and we’ve had a lot of support to reach today - the first time ever the Howard Smith Wharves are publicly accessible.”

Beneath the cliffs, large swathes of grassed areas connect the various heritage buildings on the site separated only by the cycle and walking paths. Anchoring the site at the southern end are the function pavillions, the glass lift as well as smaller venue building which is also surrounded by sloping grassed areas.

Once visitors move out of the parklands, which have generous views of the CBD from multiple vantage points, they move into the restaurant precinct including the Felons Brewery Co pub and Mr Percivals.

Cr Quirk said the facility was “another wonderful place making opportunity for Brisbane.”

A Howard Smith Wharves spokesman said plans were underway for New Year’s 2018 and public spaces would be open for the people of Brisbane to enjoy the events.

The two new glass lifts, the first opening today, can carry up to 21 people and will be accessed from the footpath on the southern side of Bowen Terrace, providing views of the Story Bridge and Brisbane’s CBD.