New Vision for Waterfront Pavilion, A Key Element of Waterfront Brisbane

New plans have been released for the Waterfront Pavilion, a key feature of the $2.5 billion Waterfront Brisbane project at Eagle Street. 


Read: Waterfront Brisbane: Dexus’ New Retail and Office Development Approved


Positioned near Waterfront Place, the Pavilion is set to transform the riverside with its contemporary design and expanded functionality.

Photo credit: FJC Studio/Brisbane PD Online

Dexus, the developer, has submitted revised plans, showcasing a fresh architectural approach for the Waterfront Pavilion. The new design includes an additional 580 square metres of floor space and introduces striking oval-shaped windows and a jagged, segmented roofline. These features not only add a distinctive character but also enhance the Pavilion’s integration into the surrounding precinct.

A key change includes reducing the building’s height from 23.1 metres to 18.55 metres, a decrease of 4.55 metres. This adjustment creates a lower sense of scale, enabling seamless integration and reducing visual dominance within the Brisbane River and Waterfront Brisbane Precinct setting.

Photo credit: FJC Studio/Brisbane PD Online

“A primary reason for lowering the building height is to enhance the public realm and pedestrianfriendly environment the development aims to create, encouraging people to use the space. This reduction has enabled architectural redesign opportunities to increase natural light, ventilation, and relocate supporting internal infrastructure like vents and plants that were previously located on the Roof,” planners stated.

Photo credit: FJC Studio/Brisbane PD Online

The Pavilion will be a focal point, connecting a variety of restaurants, cafés, bars, and shops through terraces, stairs, and landscaped gardens. Positioned in front of Waterfront Place, it aims to blend seamlessly with its riverside location. 

The redesign by FJC Studio prioritises sustainability and subtropical design principles, with integrated landscaping and a roofline that extends outward to provide shade and safety barriers. This thoughtful approach ensures greater setbacks from the river while creating additional landscaped areas above the Riverwalk.

The council submission notes that the development aims to feature a modern and distinctive architectural style, reflecting Brisbane’s subtropical climate and incorporating sustainable elements. It also mentions that the Pavilion’s design thoughtfully integrates with the heritage-listed Naldham House, ensuring harmony between the old and the new.


Read: End Draws Near: Eagle Street Pier to Give Way to New Waterfront Brisbane Development


The updated Pavilion plans are part of the broader Waterfront Brisbane project, which aims to revitalise the riverside with two towers, a new Riverwalk, and moorings. While the Riverwalk has been temporarily closed for construction, it is expected to partially reopen in 2026. The first tower is slated for completion by 2028.

The redevelopment of this prominent stretch of the Brisbane River, located between the Kangaroo Point Bridge and Howard Smith Wharves, is already generating excitement. The Pavilion’s enhanced design and functionality are poised to make it a centrepiece of the precinct, offering a dynamic mix of leisure and retail spaces that reflect Brisbane’s unique character and lifestyle.

Published 30-January-2025

Waterfront Brisbane: Dexus’ New Retail and Office Development Approved

Real estate company Dexus’ controversial two-tower project, the Waterfront Brisbane office development, has been approved by Brisbane City Council despite public backlash. 



The project itself revolves around the construction of two towers, one 49-storeys tall and the other 43, along Waterfront Place. Once completed, the development is expected to provide locals from suburbs around the Brisbane River with new retail offerings, promenades, and offices.

A 280-metre riverwalk will also be created as part of the development plan, connecting Waterfront Place to the Riparian Palace. Development costs have totaled to $2.1 billion, and the new riverwalk will be funded by BCC. 

The project aims to improve pedestrian view and access of the river, as well create a river link between Eagle St and the river accessible with bicycles and wheelchairs. 

Waterfront Brisbane is set to take up a combined area of 120,000-sqm of office and retail space, aiming to make the most out of Brisbane’s sub-tropical climate by creating riverfront dining and retail outlets, public plazas, and gorgeous promenades along the waterfront. 

Render of Waterfront Brisbane’s proposed retail area.
Photo credit: Dexus

Despite the promising outcome expected from the Dexus development, concerns over the project and what it means for the future of the waterfront have been expressed by some sectors in the community regarding the possible negative impact on the waterfront as the development would  block the view and separate the city from the river. 

“What is now proposed is an anathema – “Waterfront Brisbane” appears as an over-scaled wall of glass positioned without any regard to the established principles respected in the design of all other towers…” Penelope Seidler, director of Harry Seidler and Associates said in a public submission of opposition through the Brisbane City Council’s Planning and Developing Online portal. 

“The building shape forms a wall separating the city from the river,” she added.

Architects behind Waterfront Brisbane, FJMT and Arkhefield, have updated their design in response to these complaints, opting for a more sub-tropical design that ensures the development adheres to the aesthetic and atmosphere of the waterfront. 

Though Dexus had announced the approval of their project in December 2020, construction will not commence until 2022. It is estimated that the first tower will be complete and operational in 2026.