Overview
If you haven't eaten a plate of pasta over a glass of wine while sat in the Queen Street Mall — or hit up the mid-mall English pub, too — have you really been in Brisbane? Likely no. But in the future, both Milano's and the Pig 'N' Whistle might not be part of the CBD precinct, with Brisbane City Council announcing plans to tear them down to make the mall more open.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has unveiled the council's new City to South Bank Vision, which details how it's intending to revamp the popular stretch of inner-city pavement. Milano's at the George Street end of the mall is definitely earmarked for removal, while the council has committed to investigate scrapping Pig 'N' Whistle at the Edward Street end. In their place, the precinct will gain new shade and seating.
The news comes as both Milano's and Pig 'N' Whistle will stop operating at the end of June. Milano's has been part of the Queen Street Mall's since the latter opened back in 1982, while the Pig's QSM location has also been around for a couple of decades.
"The mall has always evolved with the times. That's why it continues to be Queensland's premier shopping precinct," said Brisbane's Deputy Mayor Krista Adams.
"Removing potentially both venues at either end of the mall will allow us to incorporate more trees and seating, enhancing the mall's sub-tropical feel."
As well as more places to sit — and protection from the sun while you do so — the council is also considering turning the Pig 'N' Whistle's current Queen Street Mall space into an area specifically for licensed pop-ups. So, that might mean a gin bar pouring juniper drinks one week, then a brewery doing tastings the next. Food trucks could also drive into the space, serving up an array of bites to eat.
Also in the mall, the City to South Bank Vision covers potentially relocating or revitalising the stage area to help it get more frequent use.
And, of course, Queen Street Mall is set to lose the Myer Centre — well, the building's name, with Myer moving out — in what's proving quite the time of transformation in the CBD.
Just across George Street, Reddacliff Place outside Brisbane Square Library and the Treasury Casino is set for a change, too. It's being purchased by the council to ensure that it's always available as a permanent public space for markets, events and art installations.
"While Reddacliff Place is much-loved by residents and provides an incredible vista between the city and South Brisbane, it is currently privately owned," said the Lord Mayor.
"Our purchase of this site will preserve it as a public open space, ensuring the weekly markets continue and allowing us to activate it day and night."
For more information about Brisbane City Council's City to South Bank Vision, head to Councillor Vicki Howard's website.