Overview
With the Olympic Games on their way to Brisbane in 2032, complete with the Brisbane Cricket Ground getting torn down and rebuilt for the huge sports event, Woolloongabba is set to look a whole lot different over the next decade. The inner-city suburb's massive makeover mightn't stop there, either, with a proposal put forward for a new $1.2-billion precinct on Stanley Street.
Developer Trenert has unveiled plans for a space it's calling Station Square, which would sprawl across a hectare if it gets approved. Included are a five-star hotel, shops, restaurants, bars, apartments, social housing and green space — and reopening the Chalk Hotel for the first time since 2015.
The aim is to have Brisbanites enjoying Station Square by 20230, which means wandering through its 7000 square metres of parks and open space, working in its 50,000 square metres of office space, and living in 165 residential apartments and 114 units dedicated as affordable and social housing. There'll also be 6000 square metres of retail and dining, plus a hotel featuring 320 suites for guests and 120 private residences.
Getting the Chalk Hotel back in business is no minor feat, either. Other plans to reopen the pub were floated back in 2017, but didn't come to fruition (as the shuttered space just a short stroll from the Gabba has reminded Brisbane since). It won't be called the Chalk, though, instead reclaiming its original moniker — so you'll be getting a pre- and post-Olympics beer, and a post-cricket or -footy brew as well, at the Railway Hotel, which is what the spot was named back when it was originally built in 1889.
The heritage-listed watering hole would be the centrepiece of the entire precinct, which Trenert has proposed to capitalise upon the Queensland Government's aim to revitalise the area in the lead up to the River City becoming the temporary centre of the sporting world.
"The government investment in the Gabba stadium and Cross River Rail are the catalysts for the transformation of the Gabba, and this is an investment in that vision," said Trenert Managing Partner Peter Priest, announcing Station Square.
"We're looking forward to delivering much needed housing as part of the Gabba transformation, putting homes adjacent to transport infrastructure and creating a vibrant 24-hour precinct."
"The government's aim is to transform the Gabba precinct into a vibrant mixed-use hub, with access to world-class public transport as well as improved public spaces to encourage more visitors to the area," added Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympics Infrastructure Steven Miles.
"This sort of private sector investment is an important part of delivering on that vision. Urban renewal of the Gabba precinct can be an obvious Olympic legacy and this proposal has the opportunity to address a clear need for greater housing affordability in the inner city."
For more information on Station Square, head to Trenert's website. We'll update you if and when further details are revealed and/or confirmed.