Developer plans to demolish and rebuild Brisbane's Wintergarden mall

Plans have been lodged with the Brisbane City Council to demolish and redevelop the interior of the Wintergarden shopping centre, a move aimed at revitalizing the prominent retail space. The proposal by developer IFM seeks to replace the current "fragmented" layout with a simpler, two-level design.

The redevelopment is intended to create a seamless pedestrian link connecting Elizabeth Street directly to the Queen Street Mall, enhancing foot traffic and reinforcing the area's identity as Brisbane's premier retail precinct. A significant aesthetic change involves removing the center's well-known butterfly facade and restoring the original brick exterior that lies behind it.

Retail analyst Catherine Michael noted that Wintergarden, once a bustling destination, has seen a significant decline in foot traffic over the decades. While a redevelopment attempt in 2012 aimed to revive the center, it never fully recaptured its former glory from the 1980s and 90s. Michael expressed optimism that the proposed new design, emphasizing walkability, could attract customers back to this part of the city.

The plans also include constructing a new ground-level shopfront along Elizabeth Street, beneath the InterContinental Hotel. The hotel lobby will open directly into the arcade, though the hotel towers themselves will remain unchanged. The developer believes the project will not only improve the site's long-term performance but also generate substantial economic benefits and contribute to the revitalization of the broader retail precinct as a vibrant, mixed-use destination.

“

The proposed development provides for the revitalisation of the existing retail under the InterContinental Hotel to reinforce the identity of Queen Street Mall as the premier retail precinct in Brisbane. The proposed scheme will not only enhance the site's long-term performance but also generate significant economic benefits and revitalise the broader retail precinct as a vibrant mixed-use destination.