Brisbane’s Queen Street Mall is experiencing significant retail investment as Vicinity Centres prepares to revamp its flagship Uptown property. The ASX-listed company has lodged plans with Brisbane City Council for a $350 million refurbishment of the six-storey complex, formerly known as The Myer Centre. Designed by Cottee Parker Architects, the proposal focuses on updating the building’s facade along its 121-meter frontage to the mall.
Facade Modernization
The plan involves replacing 1980s brick cladding and heavy canopy structures with glazed entry portals at upper and mid-mall entrances. These new openings will highlight traditional luxury display windows, aiming to create a more inviting street presence. The upper entrance will sit between the heritage York Hotel and Barry & Roberts building facades, while the mid-mall entry is positioned between the historic Telegraph Building and York Hotel. The renovation will also remove the metal archway previously associated with The Myer Centre identity.
A planning report by Urbis states the purpose is to refurbish Uptown as an iconic retail destination at the heart of the city. The works will enhance activation within the Queen Street Mall by adding new shop fronts and broad pedestrian entrances. The facade upgrade spans Queen Street Mall, Elizabeth Street, and Albert Street, creating a cohesive contemporary design that responds to the surrounding heritage context.
Repositioning as a Lifestyle Destination
Vicinity Centres aims to reposition Uptown as Brisbane’s leading CBD retail and lifestyle destination. The documents emphasize an ambitious mix of fashion, dining, and experiential tenants to serve the city’s growing population. As the largest retail address in the Queen Street Mall precinct, Uptown’s new street-facing design will be the first and most visible expression of its repositioning. The proposal includes conservation-led upgrades to restore 19th-century brickwork and historic elements while modernizing ground-level shopfronts.
Mixed-Use Redevelopment Wave in Brisbane’s Retail Core
IFM Real Estate has filed plans to transform its Wintergarden property into a mixed-use precinct designed by Woods Bagot. The proposal replaces the existing shopping center with a six-storey podium, a 16-level commercial tower, and a 45-storey hotel and residential tower. This marks the third revision of the site’s development in three years, shifting from an office tower to a mixed-use redesign.
The new plan integrates 290 apartments and a 240-room hotel above a revamped retail podium, alongside commercial and hospitality spaces. IFM aims to reactivate the central site by blending residential, hotel, and commercial functions. The development reflects a strategic move to diversify retail assets into lifestyle hubs, responding to evolving urban demands.
Olympic-Driven Revitalization
The timing aligns with South-East Queensland’s described “golden decade” of growth ahead of the 2032 Olympic Games. The application notes the works will refurbish the facade as a fresh retail destination and reactivate Uptown and the adjoining Queen Street Mall in preparation for increased international attention. This follows a broader wave of institutional reinvestment in Brisbane’s central retail core, aiming to drive foot traffic and streetscape activation.