Multibillion-dollar Queen’s Wharf reaching for the sky in Brisbane

While the world’s attention was focused on fighting a pandemic, one of the largest projects in Brisbane’s recent economic history was continuing to steadily evolve.

The $3.6 billion Queen’s Wharf development is now well into its multi-year construction with an opening date of late 2022 remaining on track.

Queensland’s largest construction site has mostly been happening out of sight since its commencement in 2017, but that has changed with four towers of the integrated resort recently starting to rise from the basement.

Indeed, the tallest of the four towers, Queen’s Wharf Residences on the corner of Margaret and George streets, can now be easily identified with its lift core wrapped in branding, according to the Destination Brisbane Consortium.

The 600-plus residences – which have reportedly been eagerly snapped up by locals keen to stake a future claim on the game-changing city project – will move steadily skyward to reach a staggering 240 metres in 2021.

The next project elements that will be visible to every day punters will be The Star Grant Hotel towers facing South Bank and overlooking the Riverside Expressway, which will also include 330 new five-star hotel rooms as well as a new casino once complete.

According to the developers, the five levels of car park basements are also close to completion with William Street expected to be re-established by July and open to construction traffic only.

It’s staggering to consider that more than 3,000 tonnes of steel and 24,000 square metres of concrete has gone into the site since construction commenced in July 2019.

And, before that, close to 400,000 cubic metres of materials were excavated at the site!

There is no question that the precinct, which takes up an entire block between William and George streets in the city, is set to transform the city’s landscape once complete.

Queen’s Wharf is set to boast 50 bars and restaurants, a 100m-high Sky Deck with panoramic views of Brisbane, which will be open 24 hours, and a pedestrian bridge linking the complex to South Bank.

Indeed, along with Queen’s Wharf Residences, work recently began to construct the Neville Bonner Bridge, which will connect South Bank to the project.

During May, vegetation removal work took place after approval from local and state governments.

Under the Brisbane City Council Natural Asset Local Law, an assessment of the trees’ value was made, and Destination Brisbane Consortium paid nearly $140,000 to Council for new trees to be planted in the local area.

Brisbane City Council has confirmed that will be used to plant 380 new trees South Brisbane, Kangaroo Point, Highgate Hill, Dutton Park and Woolloongabba.