A massive collection of more than 300 street art pieces has transformed a space in the Brisbane CBD into a major cultural hub for the global premiere of a new Banksy exhibition.
The Art of Banksy: “Without Limits” Chapter 2 has officially launched at Uptown on Queen Street Mall, marking a significant milestone for the city’s art scene. Spanning 1,550 square metres, this new chapter is twice the size of the 2023 edition and presents the most expansive collection of the artist’s work ever staged. The exhibition features over 100 original artworks, offering visitors a rare glimpse into the mind of the elusive creator.
Organisers describe the event as a “museum-quality experience” that captures the raw energy of street art. The collection includes iconic favourites such as Cinderella at Dismaland, London Zoo, and the Ice Cream Van. These works sit alongside never-before-seen pieces, creating a narrative that explores the wit and defiance for which Banksy is known.
Beyond traditional canvases, the exhibition offers a multi-sensory journey designed to engage audiences of all ages. Visitors can expect immersive installations, digital mapping, and sculptures that bring the art to life. A standout feature is the cutting-edge hologram display, which adds a futuristic dimension to the artist’s satirical vision.
The show aims to challenge and provoke thought on topics such as politics, culture, and human rights. By combining these themes with high-tech displays, the exhibition provides a fresh perspective on the artist’s influence as a cultural icon.
To make the event accessible to the wider community, organisers have introduced special pricing for the school holidays. Families can purchase a discounted bundle at $25 per person, while a “New Year, New Rules” promotion offers a Duo Pass for $29 per person for a limited time.
The venue is fully wheelchair accessible, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the experience. Tickets for the general public start from $39 for adults and $27 for children. The visit typically takes between 45 and 60 minutes, allowing ample time to explore the vast collection.
Brisbane CBD residents and visitors will need to navigate traffic disruptions over the New Year period as Brisbane City Council prepares for the annual Lord Mayor’s New Year’s Eve fireworks display.
Changed parking conditions will be in force from 8pm on Monday 29 December through to 6am on Thursday 1 January, with road closures taking effect in the CBD on New Year’s Eve itself.
Several key CBD streets will be closed from 5pm on 31 December until 2am on 1 January. Elizabeth Street between George Street and the Elizabeth Street off-ramp will be shut to traffic, along with sections of William Street between Queen Street and Stephens Lane, and George Street between Elizabeth Street and Adelaide Street.
Buses will be accepted on George Street until 5pm, after which southbound bus access and access to Brisbane Square will be redirected via Adelaide Street between George Street and North Quay.
Changed parking restrictions will affect numerous CBD streets throughout the period, including Ann Street, Adelaide Street, Elizabeth Street, George Street and William Street. Motorists are urged to check signage carefully before parking, as temporary parking restrictions will be displayed at affected locations.
In positive news for revellers, public transport will be free from 8pm on 31 December until 5.30am on 1 January. This includes buses, ferries and trains across the network. Buses will run on a normal weekday timetable with additional services added to help people travel to and from the CBD for the celebrations.
Pedestrians should note that Victoria Bridge will not be available as a viewing point for the fireworks. Queensland Police Service will direct foot traffic off the bridge, which will be closed to pedestrians during the fireworks displays. Access to Victoria Bridge will be managed at police discretion throughout the evening.
Police, traffic controllers and signage will be positioned throughout affected areas to assist motorists, bus drivers and pedestrians. Diversion routes will be clearly marked on the day.
The fireworks displays will take place at 7.45pm and midnight across four precincts, with the event remaining free for all attendees, according to Brisbane City Council’s website.
For up-to-date public transport information, residents can visit translink.com.au or call 13 12 30. Traffic updates are available at QLDtraffic.qld.gov.au or by calling 13 19 40. General enquiries about the road closures or event can be directed to Brisbane City Council on (07) 3403 8888.
Two sites on Turbot Street in the Brisbane CBD have been released to the market through an expressions of interest process, covering a combined 8,900 square metres including a vacant lot and a heritage-listed building.
Economic Development Queensland is seeking expressions of interest for two adjoining sites totalling 8,900 m². The package includes a 5,200 m² vacant parcel and the heritage-listed Brisbane Dental Hospital and College. Submissions are due by 5 March 2026.
Heritage Building Vacant Since 2017
The Brisbane Dental Hospital and College has stood vacant since 2017, after dental services relocated to the University of Queensland Oral Health Centre on Herston Road. The building has also been used as a filming location, including for the television series Harrow.
The sites have been flagged for market-led proposals that could include housing, hotel accommodation, or office space. The heritage-listed building is intended to be restored and repurposed as part of any successful proposal.
Background And Heritage Listing Details
The Brisbane Dental Hospital and College was built between 1938 and 1941 and was designed by architect Raymond C Nowland in a neo-Georgian style. It is located at 168 Turbot Street.
It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 23 April 1999, recognising its role in public dental services and dental education in Queensland, as well as its architectural and technical significance.
A redevelopment of the vacant Turbot Street parcel was announced in December 2020, but the project did not proceed after a private developer later withdrew. The current expressions of interest process reopens the site to new proposals.
Economic Development Queensland will assess submissions received by 5 March 2026. The outcome will determine how the vacant land and the heritage-listed building are redeveloped and reused within the Brisbane CBD.
Sono Lumo will return to Queen’s Wharf for a ten-day season from 10–14 December and 17–21 December 2025. The festival was previously staged at the same riverfront location and will once again operate as a free public event with food and beverages available for purchase.
The program will cover several precinct spaces, including Queen’s Wharf Plaza and The Landing along the riverfront.
Photo Credit: The Star Brisbane/Facebook
Steampunk Theme and Main Features in Brisbane CBD
The 2025 edition features a steampunk-inspired setting centred on a mechanical timepiece driving the event’s Christmas story. The theme draws from Victorian-era invention blended with futuristic design across the precinct’s lighting and soundscape.
Three main eight-minute shows will take place each night at 7:15 p.m., 8:15 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. The Star Brisbane facade will carry projections, fireworks, snow effects and animated visuals. Brisbane musician Tom Thum created the original soundtrack for the shows and will perform live on opening night on 10 December.
DJs will remix classic carols into electro-swing sets at 6 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Visitors will be able to walk through installations across George Street Steps, Queen’s Wharf Plaza and The Landing, with lighting, laser effects and projected scenes.
Photo Credit: The Star Brisbane/Facebook
Feature Zones and Visitor Experience
The Festive Foundry in the DPI courtyard will be marked by a large airship balloon positioned above a feature bar serving themed cocktails. Spirit Works Square will include food trucks, light projections and ongoing activity throughout the night.
The Commissariat building will display animated scenes with mechanical airships, toys and cog-driven reindeers. Another zone, known as The Underpass, will include shifting beams of colour and lighting effects set to remixed festive tracks.
Photo Credit: The Star Brisbane/Facebook
Event Operations and Accessibility
Sono Lumo will operate from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. each evening, with lighting displays most visible after dark. Public toilets, temporary seating and signage will be available across the site. Hydration stations and water bubblers will be set up throughout the precinct, and the event will run as a cashless venue.
The Star Brisbane and Queen’s Wharf Brisbane are wheelchair accessible, offering lifts and accessible movement routes. No road closures are planned, although traffic control will be in place on the cycle path to allow pedestrian access to The Landing. Any changes due to severe weather will be announced through The Star Brisbane website.
Photo Credit: The Star Brisbane/Facebook
Community Interest
Comments on social media show local enthusiasm for the festival’s return, with visitors planning to attend during hotel stays, night-time walks and other seasonal outings.
Sono Lumo will again present a large-scale festive program in Brisbane CBD, offering lighting displays, themed zones and nightly entertainment across Queen’s Wharf over ten December nights.
The planned expansion of Queen Street Mall is moving ahead in the Brisbane CBD, extending pedestrian-only access along Albert Street as part of broader works linked to the new Albert Street station.
Background and Earlier Upgrades in the Brisbane CBD
Queen Street Mall is undergoing its first major expansion in 15 years, with works extending the pedestrian precinct along Albert Street from Elizabeth Street to Mary Street. The project aligns with long-term plans outlined in the Brisbane City Centre Master Plan, which identified Albert Street as a future green spine linking Roma Street Parkland to the City Botanic Gardens.
The mall, originally opened in 1982 and later upgraded in 1999 and 2007, continues to record strong foot traffic, with October figures averaging more than 220,000 pedestrians each day and July reaching above 248,000.
Photo Credit: Cross RIver Rail
Staged Expansion Across Albert Street
The renewal will be delivered in phases. The first section is scheduled to open next month, introducing new outdoor dining space between Elizabeth Street and partway to Charlotte Street. The remaining works between Elizabeth and Charlotte streets will follow early next year, with the final stage from Charlotte to Mary streets scheduled to begin late next year. A further stage is set for late 2026.
The staged openings integrate with the construction of a new public plaza above the future Albert Street underground station, featuring tree-lined areas and new seating. The station structure includes a 153-tonne canopy, with escalator installation already completed underground.
Photo Credit: Cross RIver Rail
Retail Shifts and Precinct Challenges
The expansion comes at a time of significant change within the Brisbane CBD retail landscape. Several major tenancies have exited the precinct, including the closure of a multi-level international retailer on Queen Street Mall. Other sites, such as the Wintergarden complex, remain in transition as redevelopment plans continue to progress slowly.
The former Myer Centre, now operating as Uptown, is undergoing repositioning after Myer’s departure in 2023. Although Myer has indicated an interest in returning in a smaller format, no confirmed tenancy has been announced. Operators in the precinct have observed that many pedestrian movements through the mall are pass-through rather than destination visits, contributing to shorter dwell times.
Photo Credit: Cross RIver Rail
Complementary Projects Shaping the Brisbane CBD
The upgrade is supported by a pipeline of surrounding developments, including Griffith University’s conversion of the former Treasury Building into a new CBD campus and the rebranding of the Hilton Brisbane as an InterContinental hotel. Other nearby projects include ISPT’s planned redevelopment of the Wintergarden, Charter Hall’s proposal for the former St George Bank corner site, and ongoing revitalisation at Uptown.
Transport Improvements and Broader Network Changes
New travel patterns across the Brisbane CBD are emerging alongside the project. According to recent data, travel times between Queen Street and South Bank bus stations have become more than 40 per cent faster following network changes and the opening of the Adelaide Street tunnel, which reduced congestion on Victoria Bridge by 30 per cent. TransLink reports more than 23 million trips on the city’s new bus network since June.
Community Sentiment and Precinct Activity
Community and business interest remains centred on how the expanded mall will influence retail behaviour in the area. While the council highlights increasing pedestrian activity and lifestyle precinct growth, operators note that strong foot movement does not always translate into retail engagement.
The staged program, including new dining and activation areas, aims to encourage longer stays and support the public-realm transition around the future station plaza.
Next Steps
The Queen Street Mall expansion marks a significant phase in reshaping the Brisbane CBD. As construction continues into 2025 and further into 2026, the long-term performance of the precinct will depend on how future retail, hospitality and development projects fill emerging gaps and support ongoing activation.
The completed works are expected to strengthen the pedestrian link between Roma Street Parkland and the City Botanic Gardens once the Albert Street station opens.
A Singaporean family’s investment arm has purchased the George Williams Hotel in Brisbane CBD, ending nearly three decades of ownership by YMCA Queensland.
The hotel stands at the corner of George and Turbot streets in Brisbane CBD. YMCA Queensland acquired the building in 1996 for $2.6 million and operated it as part of its hospitality portfolio, directing proceeds toward youth and community programs. Over the years, the organisation expanded its focus on affordable housing and community developments in areas with high demand.
The sale, announced in early November 2025, saw High Street Holdings, the investment arm of Singapore-based JD Properties, purchase the property for about $34–$34.2 million. CBRE Hotels’ Wayne Bunz and Hayley Manvell managed the off-market Expression of Interest campaign. The buyer entered exclusive negotiations eight days into the process, reflecting strong interest in centrally located hotel assets.
Hotel Features and Recent Upgrades
The eight-storey, four-star hotel contains 102 rooms on a 680 sqm freehold site. More than $1.2 million in refurbishments were recently completed, including upgrades to two guestroom floors. The property includes a leased restaurant, meeting facilities, and on-site parking. Its location is close to Queen Street Mall, the Queen’s Wharf Casino precinct, South Bank, and Roma Street Station.
Portfolio Growth and Planned Changes
High Street Holdings already holds several Australian hotels, including Rydges Perth Kings Square, Rydges North Sydney, and Kennigo Hotel Brisbane. The newly acquired property will undergo a repositioning program and has been rebranded as George Hotel Brisbane. The group views the hotel as a strategic addition to a tightly held market.
Photo Credit: Google Maps
Market Interest and Sector Trends
The transaction follows increased competition for Brisbane hotel assets, including the recent sale of Soho Brisbane. Industry commentary notes that limited new hotel supply and strong underlying demand continue to attract interest from domestic and international investors. Market expectations have also been influenced by the city’s build-up toward the 2032 Olympics.
With the rebranding underway, High Street Holdings plans to enhance the hotel’s operational performance and market presence. The purchase strengthens its expanding Australian portfolio and highlights continued interest in Brisbane’s hotel sector.
The University of Queensland has breathed new life into one of Brisbane CBD’s most distinguished heritage buildings, transforming the state-listed former bank at 308 Queen Street into a contemporary campus for postgraduate students and alumni.
The university purchased the 19th-century banking chambers and its adjoining tower at 88 Creek Street in 2019, establishing UQ’s first official city campus. The adaptive reuse project preserves the building’s grand architectural heritage while creating flexible, modern learning environments.
According to the project architects BVN, the campus comprises three distinct types of spaces: teaching suites, creative suites, and engagement areas designed to accommodate everything from individual study to large-scale industry events.UQ Brisbane City — BVN
The ground floor atrium serves as the campus heart, featuring two key areas. The Long Room provides space for independent and collaborative work, while the Main Lounge offers a premium environment for networking and events. The restored marble floors and reinstated glass dome ceiling with bronze structure create an impressive setting for the university community.
Jennifer Karlson, Vice President of Advancement and Community Engagement at UQ, described the project as “more than a building” but rather “a living legacy” that blends tradition, innovation and community engagement.
Historic rooms surrounding the dome across two floors now function as creative suites for postgraduate students from the architecture and business schools. The larger floor plates in the modern tower annex accommodate adaptable teaching suites with retractable whiteboards that preserve natural light and views when not in use.
The restoration work, undertaken with heritage consultant Architectus Conrad Gargett, took a minimal-interference approach. An underfloor services network delivers power, data, air conditioning and audiovisual capabilities without compromising the heritage fabric. Original fireplaces, windows, doors and plasterwork were carefully restored, with new bronze and brass insertions introduced for modern services.
The design incorporates references to the site’s Indigenous history. Hoop pines, known as Araucaria cunninghamii, once towered over this location. The interior design echoes these lost giants through pinecone patterns cast in perforated brass light fittings. Staircase rugs feature artwork by First Nations artist Tamika Grant-Iramu, while custom carpets throughout the creative suites reference local flora.
BVN principal Brian Donovan said the campus is “genuinely being used as another communal space in the city” by diverse groups, which he considers a measure of success.
The project received recognition from the Australian Institute of Architects, with the jury citation praising the “seamless marriage of modernity and heritage” that enriches UQ’s reputation for innovation while setting new standards for academic environments.
The campus now serves postgraduate students while providing a central hub for UQ’s alumni network, creating what the university describes as “a new forum of exchange” bringing together students, graduates and industry professionals in Brisbane’s CBD.
American fast-food giant Wendy’s has launched its “global-first” immersive flagship restaurant in the Brisbane CBD, a two-level eatery featuring work from local artists.
Dozens of eager fast-food fans lined up on Albert St on Wednesday morning, waiting for the 9 a.m. start of service for one of the world’s largest burger chains. As music began to play, one local resident in the queue could not hold back his excitement, dropping his bags to bust out some breakdancing moves for the delighted crowd. He continued his celebration inside, declaring the new restaurant “fabulous” and a world away from Kansas.
The restaurant, named ‘Haus of Wendy’ as a playful nod to its bold design, is more than just another burger joint. It is a “global-first” for the American company, described as an immersive flagship location. To give it a strong local flavour, the design leans on the work of Brisbane artists.
Located off the Queen Street Mall and overlooking King George Square, the eatery is placed right in the middle of the city’s fast-food hub, near its main rivals. The building features a funky and colourful fit-out with red and blue dominating the decor. It has an open-air ground floor and a large lower level, with space for 130 diners.
Known for its square burger patties, the chain states it uses fresh, not processed, beef and chicken. Some menu items have a local touch, including a cheese sauce made on the Gold Coast and its popular Frosty dessert, which is made from grass-fed dairy. In its first week, the Brisbane restaurant expects to serve three tonnes of Frosty, almost 25,000 beef patties, and about two tonnes of fries.
This is the second Wendy’s to begin service in Australia, following a Surfers Paradise location that started earlier in the year. The Brisbane opening signals the next step in the brand’s ambitious plan to establish 200 restaurants across Australia over the next decade.
Brisbane locals have a unique opportunity to combine their civic duty with rock memorabilia next month, as legendary band Metallica partners with Australian Red Cross Lifeblood for a special blood donation drive.
The collaboration coincides with Metallica’s upcoming Brisbane performance on 12 November at Suncorp Stadium as part of their M72 World Tour. Brisbane blood donors who give at the Edward Street donor centre between 5-11 November will receive a limited-edition Metallica t-shirt designed by the band’s iconic artist SQUINDO.
The exclusive Brisbane t-shirt features the band’s lyric “A Sea of Hearts Beat As One” within a blood drop design, along with Australian elements specifically for local fans. To receive the merchandise, donors must be enrolled in Lifeblood’s loyalty program, Lifeblood Gifts, either before donating or sign up when they arrive.
Australian Red Cross Lifeblood’s Executive Director of Donor Experience, Cath Stone, highlighted the timing of the partnership amid increased demand for blood products. The organisation requires more than 1.7 million donations annually to meet hospital needs, with 100,000 new donors needed each year due to growing population demands.
The Brisbane initiative forms part of a broader Australian tour collaboration between Metallica’s foundation, All Within My Hands, and Lifeblood. Similar drives are occurring in Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney, timed around each tour stop.
This partnership builds on Metallica’s global philanthropic efforts, including their work with the American Red Cross during their recent US tour, which generated more than 2,000 blood and platelet donations. Since establishing All Within My Hands in 2017, the foundation has raised over $20 million for community initiatives.
Each blood donation can save up to three lives, supporting cancer patients, new mothers, trauma victims and surgical patients. The Brisbane Donor Centre is located at 288 Edward Street in the CBD.
For Brisbane residents with tattoos, recent policy changes mean plasma donations are accepted immediately after tattoos from licensed Australian parlours, while blood and platelet donations require just a one-week wait.
Riverstage in Brisbane CBD is set for a multimillion-dollar upgrade, with private operators invited from 22 September 2025 to invest under a long-term lease arrangement.
Riverstage, located behind the Brisbane Botanic Gardens, opened in 1989 as part of Brisbane’s cultural legacy following Expo ’88. It has since hosted leading local and international performers including Powderfinger, Lorde, Benson Boone and Teddy Swims. In the past financial year, 38 events drew about 245,000 attendees.
Photo Credit: BCC
Planned Upgrade
Council confirmed on 2 September 2025 that an expression of interest campaign will open on 22 September 2025. The process will seek proposals from experienced operators to deliver significant investment in Riverstage. The venue will remain in public ownership while being leased to a private partner for operation.
Planned upgrades include new and improved facilities and advanced sound management systems designed to address noise impacts. The upgrade is being positioned as part of Brisbane’s preparation for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, when the city will require more world-class venues.
Industry Interest
Construction leader Scott Hutchinson, who helped develop Fortitude Music Hall, has expressed interest in taking on the project. Earlier this year, he suggested a $50 million investment could deliver a roof over the stage area, soundproofing to minimise noise reaching surrounding areas, and a cover for around 3,000 people at the front of the venue. He also raised issues such as resident noise complaints and ticket resellers using bots to secure large portions of tickets, leading to quick sell-outs for major acts.
The funding approach follows a model in which private investment is exchanged for a long-term lease. This arrangement has been promoted as a way of upgrading facilities without direct cost to residents, while allowing public funds to focus on transport, parks and road projects.
Community and Cultural Impact
Industry organisations have welcomed the upgrade. Economic and cultural leaders said it would attract international acts, create more opportunities for local performers, and strengthen Brisbane’s standing as an events destination. They noted Riverstage’s role as a lasting cultural venue since Expo ’88 and emphasised that investment is needed to make it more accessible and suitable year-round.
By 2032, Brisbane is expected to have both a new indoor arena at the Gabba and an upgraded Riverstage, enhancing the city’s capacity to host large-scale entertainment and cultural events. The outcome of the expressions of interest process later this year will determine the future operator and the scope of the redevelopment.
