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

Photo Credit: Dexus / waterfrontbrisbane.com.au

It is going to be curtains down for Eagle Street Pier in July 2022 as this vibrant riverside precinct gets torn down to make way for the new $2.3-billion Waterfront Brisbane development.

For three decades, Eagle Street Pier has been Brisbane CBD’s prime dining destination, owing to its more than a dozen world-class restaurants and bars, and a breathtaking view of the Brisbane River and Story Bridge.

All good things must come to an end, however, and in a few months, a multi-billion dollar transformation will begin as Brisbanites say goodbye to their favourite venues.

In late January, Dexus handed the notice to vacate to its tenants, giving them six months from that time to close their doors before construction officially starts. The renovated heritage-listed Naldham House will open in late 2022 to provide a fine-dining option at the site whilst construction gets underway.

The venue will be run by DAP and Co. – operator of Popolo, Walter’s Steakhouse and The Gresham.

Dexus, who acquired the complex in 2015, said that the Waterfront Brisbane project will “position Brisbane as a world-class business and tourist destination.”

There will be two new office towers of 49 and 43 storeys, a new and improved 280-metre Riverwalk, active retail and public spaces, and 9,000sqm of public open space at the river’s edge.

“This is an exciting milestone on the pathway to rejuvenating the precinct as Brisbane’s premier riverfront destination that will position Brisbane as a world-class business and tourist destination,” Matthew Beasley, Dexus’s Project Director, Waterfront Brisbane, said.

“We hope the people of Brisbane take the opportunity to support these venues in the coming months.”

The development will be delivered in stages with the first of the two towers expected to be completed by 2025. Once construction commences, the Riverwalk will be closed and will be reopened in 2024.

Eagle Street Pier: Chill Out this Summer at the Colourful Pop-Up Porch

Heaps of colourful installations are popping up at the Eagle Street Pier until the end of January 2021 to celebrate the joys of summer amidst a dreary global crisis. If you’re raring to chill out and have a change of scenery after staying indoors for the last months, then spend a few minutes at the spacious pop-up porch of the riverfront dining precinct.

The pop-up porch will feature live performances of Brisbane’s most talented, soon-to-be discovered artists. The colourful section with a whimsical and Instagrammable design has been set up in support of Brisbane City Sounds live music program.

The performances will take place every Wednesday to Sunday and as dancing is allowed again, the porch will turn into a dance floor on Saturday nights.

For the complete list of artists and their schedules, check the listing on the Eagle Street Pier official site.

Apart from the custom-built swing, stage and outdoor seating sections, a slew of interactive games have been installed throughout this vibrant precinct. It’s easy to spot these corners at night as the pop-ups will dazzle with neon lights.

While you’re already there, try out the new restaurants offering a smorgasbord of tantalising food, such as Naga Thai, Rico Bar & Dining and Sake. A few more eateries will open during the holiday rush so swing by with your friends or family for a delectable treat.

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Eagle Street Pier: Make Way for COPPA and Cha Cha Char this December

Exciting changes are coming to the Eagle Street Pier this December as the iconic riverfront dining destination welcomes the return of two of Brisbane’s most favoured restaurants: COPPA and Cha Cha Char Steak and Lobster.

COPPA, which temporarily closed in March, will move into the Il Centro site at the Eagle Street Pier and provide casual indoor and alfresco dining. Diners who missed the rich Italian cuisine the restaurant is known for may now start counting the days till COPPA’s re-opening.

“Myself and The Happy Fat Group could not be more excited to relocate COPPA to such an iconic dining destination and offer the COPPA experience with river views at Eagle Street Pier,” COPPA’s Tom Sanceau, Australia’s premier restaurateur, said.

Cha Cha Char Steak and Lobster, on the other hand, will say goodbye to John Kilroy after his two decades of service in the hospitality industry. He will leave Cha Cha Char Steak and Lobster in good hands with Michael Tassis and Ciao Rossetto.

The new owners of Cha Cha Char will introduce a new concept by mid-December with the freshest lobsters from the waters of Tasmania and Western Australia. Guests may also unwind at the new Whisky and Wine Bar, which has over 150 wine selections.

“We’re looking forward to what is to come with Cha Cha Char Steak and Lobster and particularly excited for what this new concept will bring, and we’re sure Brisbane will love it,” Mr Tassis said.

Christmas summers at The Pier will also feature live music and family entertainment as guests enjoy these two new dining venues.

Why Eagle Street Pier Has Big Bright Bunnies

Some big bright bunnies will be hopping into the Eagle Street Pier this March. If you frequent the precinct, don’t be startled by their giant presence. The installation will be around the area from the 13th to the 29th of March 2020.

All of those six illuminated giant bunnies are the work of Australian artist Amanda Parer. Brisbane is lucky to have the artwork for the very first time after Ms Parer and her hoppy creations have been bouncing off cities like London, Paris, Boston, Los Angeles, Seoul and Perth for years.

This is Ms Parer’s Intrude art display. The artist created those big and shiny bunnies to provoke “a thoughtful and playful atmosphere.”

Ms Parer picked bunnies as the subject of her art display of its intriguing contradictions. These animals are fixtures of fairytale stories, displaying furry innocence and a cute image loved by children.

However, rabbits were also regarded as out of control pests in Australia when these animals were introduced by the settlers in the late 1700s. From the 19th to the 20th century, various methods were deployed to control the rabbit population in the country as the animals were causing heaps of environmental problems, including soil erosion and an imbalance to Australia’s unique flora and fauna.

“I expect people will be drawn to the rabbits’ playful appearance, and I hope they will also take the time to understand the deeper meaning in the work and discuss how our actions impact the natural world in which we all live,” Ms Parer said.

The illuminating giant bunnies will be on display for free daily at the Eagle Street Pier from 12:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

Intrude Classic from parerstudio on Vimeo.