Last eatery at Eagle St Pier gets marching orders

The operators of Jade Buddha, the only venue still open at Brisbane’s soon-to-be-demolished Eagle St Pier, has finally received its notice to quit by landlord Dexus as the final curtain comes down on the iconic venue.

It may be the last weekend to grab a drink and meal at iconic Brisbane CBD venue Jade Buddha.

The only restaurant still open at the soon-to-be-demolished Eagle St Pier has finally received its notice to quit by landlord Dexus meaning the eatery only has weeks left to operate.

Phil Hogan, who has run the business for the past two decades with brother Gary, says they are considering their options but lamented that time was running out for Jade Buddha. “This may be our last weekend of trading,” Phil says.

Hogan had been taking every day as it comes in what can only be described as a Mexican standoff with Dexus. All other tenants including the Coffee Club, Fatcow Steak and Lobster, George’s Paragon and Mr & Mrs G Riverbar closed their doors back in July.

Dexus also awaiting the result of a high-stake court battle over its multi-billion dollar development plans for the pier and how that will impact on its investment timetable.

The legal battle being waged between Dexus and Bloomberg Corp’s Riverside Development, which owns the mixed-use Riparian Plaza tower next to Eagle St Pier, is still making its way through the courts but City Beat hears judgement day is imminent.

Jade Buddha co-owner Phil Hogan.

Riverside Development is taking Dexus to court over the $2.1bn proposal claiming it will negatively impact the amenity of Riparian Tower. Riparian, which includes apartments owned by some of the city’s wealthiest residents including Sarina Russo, is the only property adjoining or in the vicinity of the redevelopment site not controlled by Dexus, which hopes to erect two new skyscrapers as part of its “Waterfront Brisbane’’ masterplan.

Eagle St Pier has been the scene of billion-dollar deals and visits from Hollywood stars over the past 33 years. With a bevy of eateries including Il Centro, Char Char Char and Jellyfish, Eagle St Pier was the place to be seen as well as wheel and deal in the 1990s and 2000s.

Former Il Centro owner Andy Georges recalls legendary stockbroker Paul ‘Porky’ Morgan scribbling details of deals on the backs of napkins before tucking into lunch.

Among the mega deals celebrated at the pier over the years were the $60bn liquefied natural gas sale between BG Group and the China National Offshore Oil Corporation in 2010, the $7bn privatisation of rail operator QR National and the creation of Suncorp.