Fortitude Valley Archives - Fortitude Valley News

Monsters and Molecules Fortitude Valley Turns Brain Science into a Live Comedy Quest

Monsters and Molecules Fortitude Valley is heading to The Brightside on Wednesday 19 August, and it sounds like a properly weird, clever time. The Dungeons & Dragons-style show mixes quantum research, improv comedy and a trip through the human brain. In Fortitude Valley, that feels right at home.

A brainy night with a bit of swagger

The Valley has never minded a night that breaks the mould. This one leans all the way in.

Monsters and Molecules Fortitude Valley lands at The Brightside on Wednesday 19 August. Doors open at 6.30pm. The show starts at 7pm and runs for three hours, with an intermission. It is an 18-plus event, which suits the late-night energy nicely.

Comedian Jaimeson Gilders, educator Joel Gilmore and Professor Lezanne Ooi will front the show. Together, they will work their way through one of science’s most complicated subjects. That is the human brain. They will do it live, in front of a crowd, with a fantasy twist.

It is a smart idea. It also feels refreshingly un-snobby. Science can sometimes sound boxed away in jargon. This show seems happy to kick the door open and make room for a laugh.

Quantum ideas, minus the lab coat

The night is hosted by science communicator and dungeon master Shu Ezackial. That should tell you plenty. This is not a sit-still-and-listen kind of event. It is playful, fast, and a little bit unhinged in the best way.

Live music from Melbourne bard Sean Sully will add another layer. So the show does not just explain science. It turns it into a full evening out.

That approach should suit a Fortitude Valley crowd. Locals know how to spot a good night before it even starts. They also know a bit of theatre when they see it. Monsters and Molecules Fortitude Valley offers both, with a science edge.

The event also sits neatly inside National Science Week. That gives it a wider purpose, too. It is not just there to entertain. It is there to pull science closer to everyday people.

A local crowd, a live experiment

The project has support from Inspiring Australia Queensland and the ARC Centre of Excellence in Quantum Biotechnology, or QUBIC. That gives the show solid science backing, even if the mood stays loose.

And that balance matters. The event does not try to preach. It tries to spark curiosity. That is often the better way in.

For Fortitude Valley, Monsters and Molecules Fortitude Valley is a reminder that science does not always need fluorescent lights and lecture slides. Sometimes it works better with a stage, a crowd and a few dice rolling around.

The Brightside is at 27 Warner Street. Wheelchair access is available. Auslan support is also available on request by emailing shu@shulab.xyz.

Published 10-August-2026

Fortitude Valley Science Week Summit Puts Queensland Quantum Future in the Spotlight

The Fortitude Valley Science Week summit will bring Queensland’s advanced technology sector into focus at The Precinct on Tuesday, 18 August. Qx Summit is part of Science Week, and it comes with a clear brief: show how quantum and other advanced technologies are already taking shape in Queensland.

This year’s theme is “Make it in Queensland”. The day will centre on local capability, real-world applications and the partnerships helping shape the state’s quantum ecosystem.

The summit will run as a hybrid event, with people able to attend in person or join via livestream. That should open the door to a wider audience across Queensland and beyond.

A full day of practical science

The program will be led by master of ceremonies Dr Joel Gilmore. It will open with a Welcome to Country, followed by remarks from Dr Grant Woollett and a virtual welcome from Minister Andrew Powell.

From there, the focus shifts to the Quantum 2032 Challenge, with projects linked to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The sessions will look at how quantum research is being applied to athlete health, concussion diagnostics and hydration monitoring.

The summit will also feature Queensland Stories, with local startups and innovators outlining work in quantum and advanced technologies. It is a strong reminder that this is not just theory. It is about work already happening here.

Skills, industry and the next step

The Fortitude Valley Science Week summit will also turn to the workforce question. Sessions across the day will cover training, education and pathways into quantum and advanced technology careers.

That matters for a sector that is growing quickly. The summit will look at how Queensland is building the talent pipeline needed to support future industry growth.

Other sessions will cover Quantum for Health, the national outlook through Quantum Australia, and Queensland’s ability to prototype, test and manufacture emerging technologies. The day will also hear from major names including PsiQuantum and Cicada Innovations.

A local venue with a national conversation

The Precinct will host the summit from 8.45am to 5.45pm. Arrival networking begins at 8.30am, with coffee available. Lunch, morning tea and afternoon tea are also part of the program.

The day will wrap up with networking drinks at Pig ’N’ Whistle on Brunswick Street.

For Fortitude Valley, it is another example of the suburb hosting a big ideas event with local relevance. The Fortitude Valley Science Week summit brings science, industry and investment into one room, with Queensland’s quantum future firmly in view.

Published 10-August-2026

Biang Biang Fresh Noodle Fortitude Valley is Back and Bigger

Biang Biang Fresh Noodle has landed in a new Wickham Street address, giving Fortitude Valley’s most dedicated noodle destination more room to breathe — and more room to cook.

The hand-pulled noodle eatery, which has built a loyal following across Brisbane since founder Kieran Zou first opened its doors in Toowong in 2018, is now operating from 6/115 Wickham Street — a noticeably larger space compared to its previous Brunswick Street location, which Zou was forced to vacate earlier this year due to incoming development.

The move is, in many ways, a welcome upgrade. The new venue offers more seating both inside and out, and a significantly bigger kitchen — something Zou says has made a meaningful difference to how he works day-to-day. Where the old kitchen left him cramped, the Wickham Street site gives him an entirely separate prep room, along with the kind of equipment that takes the edge off a busy service.

For the uninitiated, Biang Biang Fresh Noodle specialises in the hand-pulled belt-width noodles of Shaanxi province in northwestern China. The dough is stretched and slapped against the countertop — a process that gives the noodles their distinctive chew and, if you believe the popular explanation, their name. Zou is one of the few operators in Brisbane who has long centred his entire offering around this regional style.

It has taken him the better part of eight years to dial in what he considers the right balance of flavours — a process that has involved gradually weaving together traditional techniques with influences from other culinary traditions. That willingness to adapt, rather than stick rigidly to convention, is what he credits for the restaurant’s staying power.

The menu at Wickham Street carries over everything from Brunswick Street without change. Ten noodle dishes anchor the offering, ranging from the signature biang biang noodle served with pork mince, soy sauce, scrambled egg, tomato and corn, through to tom yum beef, spicy Sichuan dan dan, Xinjiang chilli chicken and Old Beijing Style noodle. Sides include pickled vegetables, vegetable spring rolls, pork wontons with chilli oil and roujiamo — a Shaanxi street food that draws comparisons to a hamburger in its construction.

Looking further down the track, Zou has flagged plans to introduce new dishes — possibilities include black bean beef, black pepper chicken, black pepper beef, satay chicken and a slow-cooked lamb biang biang noodle. For now, though, the focus is on settling into the rhythm of a new space.

Biang Biang Fresh Noodle is located at 6/115 Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley, across from Les Bubbles Steakhouse. Phone: 0422 756 802. Find them on Instagram and Facebook.

Published 15-July-2026

Master Cutter Ryan King Turns Years of Nominations into Double Success

Eight straight years of Queensland Hairdresser of the Year nominations. Five years of Master Cutter of the Year nominations. For Fortitude Valley salon owner Ryan King, the breakthrough came when he claimed two AHIA Creative titles on the same night.

King was named Master Cutter of the Year and Queensland Hairdresser of the Year at the 2026 AHIA Creative Awards after years of nominations in both categories.

The awards marked the result of 18 years spent developing his skills, refining his cutting techniques and building a career in hairdressing.

Years of persistence rewarded

King said the double win carried special meaning after years of being recognised in both award categories before finally securing the titles.

“I have actually been nominated eight years in a row for QLD Hairdresser of the Year and five years for Master Cutter of the Year so to finally take the double out on one night made me very grateful and proud,” he said.

“I’m excited to step up to the titles.”

The AHIA Creative Awards recognise excellence in creative hairdressing across Australia and New Zealand. King’s two titles recognised his cutting work at a national level and his achievements as a Queensland-based hairdresser.

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From London training to a Fortitude Valley salon

King began his hairdressing career in London before returning to Australia in 2012. Since then, he has worked with clients, presented on stage and taken part in industry competitions while developing a career centred on haircutting.

Today, he owns Loco London in Fortitude Valley, where he says he has worked to create a creative, warm and professional environment for both his team and clients.

Master Cutter Ryan King of Loco London — *Photo Credit: Supplied*

The career his mum encouraged

King did not take the idea of becoming a hairdresser seriously at first. He said it was his mother who encouraged him to consider the profession.

“I was told by my Mum to start hairdressing and I laughed at first, but everything she said it would give me has come true — travel, social life, business and the flexibility that you can do it anywhere,” he said.

Eighteen years later, King says haircutting has become far more than a job. The profession has given him opportunities to travel, build a business and continue improving his skills.

Alongside his work with clients, King has presented haircutting education at industry events and through De Lorenzo education programs, helping other hairdressers develop their technical skills.

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Clients shared the journey

King says his clients have supported him throughout his career, making the latest awards even more meaningful.

“My guests have been with me on the whole journey. I hold them so close and as they do me, so we win together and lose together,” he said.

With two AHIA Creative titles beside his name, King says he remains focused on growing Loco London and continuing the relationships he has built with the clients who have supported him along the way.

Published 10-July-2026

Fortitude Valley Goes Digital for Brisbane’s Massive Pokémon GO City Safari

Photo Credit: Pokemon Go

Thousands of local gamers and visiting Pokémon trainers are preparing to transform the bustling streets of Fortitude Valley into a massive digital hunting ground for the upcoming Pokémon GO City Safari.

A Citywide Community Adventure

pokemon go — *Photo Credit:* *Pokemon Go*

The event will run on Saturday, 26 September, and Sunday, 27 September, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. AEST. While players will explore vibrant neighbourhoods across the city, the official City Safari hub will be set up at the Queen Street Mall. This central spot is designed as a meeting place for the local community to connect, share tips, and collect free merchandise like Pikachu visors and exclusive sticker packs while supplies last.

Interactive Exploration and Rewards

The core of the weekend is the GO Stamp Rally, which encourages players to visit iconic locations around the city. By spinning specific PokéStops, participants collect digital stamps and earn chances to catch an Eevee wearing a special explorer hat. The design of the stamps will even change depending on how long a player presses their screen, making every collection unique. Gamers with tickets will also get access to special research tasks, helping the in-game character Professor Willow investigate the area.

Rare Creatures and Gameplay Boosts

Throughout the weekend, special creatures will appear across Brisbane, including Mudbray, known as the donkey Pokémon. Ticket holders will enjoy several gameplay boosts between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on their chosen day.

Lure modules will last for four hours, and the party play feature will get an extended duration to keep friends connected. Players can complete up to five special trades each day at half the usual stardust cost. There is also a higher chance of finding shiny variants, and buddy Pokémon might dig up an exclusive tiny compass souvenir.

Customising the Safari Experience

Getting involved is a straightforward process through the game’s app. Players simply open the main menu, navigate to the events tab, and select the Brisbane City Safari to secure their spot. Tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis and are generally non-refundable. Dedicated community members who have reached the “Great Friends” status or higher in the game can even purchase tickets as gifts for their local squad.

For those wanting to maximise their weekend, optional upgrades are available for purchase. The raid lover add-on grants up to 12 free raid passes daily, along with extra experience points and candy rewards. The egg-thusiast upgrade cuts egg hatch distances in half while boosting hatch rewards like stardust. Finally, players can buy an extra day pass to keep the adventure going across both Saturday and Sunday.

Published Date 29-June-2026

The Wickham To Host 20th Brisbane Madonna Party In Fortitude Valley

Photo Credit: Annual Brisbane Madonna Party Fans/Facebook

The Brisbane Madonna Party will return to Fortitude Valley for its 20th annual event, with The Wickham hosting a Madonna-only dance night led by Kristian Fletcher and hosted by Yana Michelle.

Fortitude Valley Event Reaches 20 Years

The 20th Annual Brisbane Madonna Party will be held upstairs at The Wickham, 308 Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley, on Saturday 15 August 2026.

The event is presented by Kristian Fletcher, who has staged the Brisbane Madonna Party annually since 2006. It is billed as Australia’s longest-running Madonna party and will mark 20 years of the Brisbane event.

This year’s event will also coincide with Madonna’s birthday and the release of her new album, Confessions II.

The Fortitude Valley event is scheduled to run from 7pm to midnight and is listed as an 18+ event.

Brisbane Madonna Party at The Wickham — *Photo Credit: Annual Brisbane Madonna Party Fans/Facebook*

The Wickham Dancefloor To Play Madonna Across Eras

The upstairs area at The Wickham will be turned into a dance space playing only Madonna’s music, covering tracks from the 1980s, 1990s, Noughties and recent releases.

From 7pm to 8pm, attendees will be able to meet other fans, visit the bar and hear rarer Madonna songs and mixes.

From 8pm to midnight, DJ Kristian Fletcher will play Madonna’s greatest hits, fan favourites, recent songs and music from the newest album.

The event will include a licensed bar, cocktails and roving photographers.

Fortitude Valley Madonna dance event — *Photo Credit: Annual Brisbane Madonna Party Fans/Facebook*

Best-Dressed Prizes And Hosted Program

Yana Michelle will host the 20th Annual Brisbane Madonna Party, which is listed under drag, LGBTIQ+ and DJ event categories.

Prizes will be offered for best dressed, with the night also centred on Madonna’s music and fan participation.

Tickets are available through Oztix. General tickets are listed at $29.60, while other event details list tickets at $25 plus booking fee.

Madonna’s catalogue includes Material Girl, Into the Groove, Vogue and Hung Up. In Australia, she has had 11 Number One hits and 40 Top Ten hits, with every studio album reaching the Top Ten.

The Brisbane Madonna Party will bring those different eras into one Fortitude Valley event, with the program built around Madonna’s music from early releases through to newer material.

Published 30-June-2026

Drink Spiking Crackdown Hits Fortitude Valley as Detectives Take Charge of Every Report

Queensland Police have rolled out a new detective-led approach to drink spiking in Fortitude Valley, with every reported incident now triggering a full investigation — a change authorities hope will finally persuade more victims to speak up.

For anyone who’s ever brushed off a strange night out as “just one too many,” the new approach carries a pointed message: police say they believe you, and they’re prepared to put real time and resources into finding out what happened.

Former detective sergeant Peter Maroney, speaking to Sunrise, described the shift as a meaningful step toward rebuilding trust with victims who might otherwise stay silent. The reassurance matters, he said, because the gap between how often drink spiking actually occurs and how often it gets reported is enormous. Many people never contact police at all — some out of embarrassment, others because they don’t think they’ll be taken seriously.

That gap has long made it difficult for authorities to understand the true scale of the problem. Research published in a peer-reviewed international study found that only around 7 per cent of people who experienced drink spiking reported it to police, with underreporting driven by fear of judgement and a lack of confidence that anything would be done. Maroney noted that while official statistics remain sparse, a glance at social media conversations suggests the crime is far more common than many parents, in particular, might realise.

The crackdown is especially significant for Fortitude Valley, which sits at the heart of Brisbane’s nightlife. The Valley’s entertainment precinct draws large crowds across the week, and incidents that once might have been logged and filed can now expect a detective looking into them.

Maroney also flagged something that may surprise people who think of drink spiking as purely a nightclub problem: it isn’t only alcoholic drinks being targeted. Water and soft drinks have also reportedly been spiked, meaning the risk isn’t limited to those drinking alcohol. Internationally, spiking incidents have been recorded not just in clubs and bars but also in private homes, underscoring that no single setting is inherently safe.

His practical advice was straightforward: never leave a drink unattended, stick with people you trust who can keep an eye on each other’s drinks, and don’t accept a drink from someone you don’t know. If you start to feel unexpected side effects — dizziness, confusion, nausea — get to bar staff or a manager immediately and let them know what’s happening.

Perhaps most disturbing is what available data suggests about why some spiking occurs at all. According to Maroney, some perpetrators appear to target victims at random, with no motive beyond wanting to observe the effects of a substance on an unsuspecting person.

Queensland Police have announced that every suspected drink spiking report in Fortitude Valley will now receive a full detective investigation. Whether other Australian states follow with a similar model remains to be seen.

If you believe your drink has been spiked, contact Queensland Police or report via Policelink at police.qld.gov.au. In an emergency, call 000.

Published 6-July-2026

Judith Wright Arts Centre Enters a New Era after $10-Million Refurbishment

Wikimedia/Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic

One of Fortitude Valley’s best-known arts venues has entered a new phase after a $10-million refurbishment that has transformed the Judith Wright Arts Centre into a larger and more accessible home for Queensland’s creative community.

Located on Brunswick Street, the centre has long been part of the Valley’s cultural identity. Artists, performers and audiences have gathered there for decades, making it a familiar landmark alongside the suburb’s live music venues, galleries and hospitality scene.

The recent works have expanded rehearsal and studio facilities, improved accessibility and modernised workspaces, giving resident arts organisations more room to create while helping secure the centre’s place as one of Brisbane’s leading performing arts hubs.

More creative space inside one of the Valley’s best-known buildings

Before the refurbishment, the Judith Wright Arts Centre had three rehearsal studios. It now has eight dedicated creative spaces, giving artists and organisations much greater flexibility to rehearse, develop new productions and host workshops.

The project also introduced new meeting rooms, collaboration areas and upgraded office facilities. Accessibility improvements have been made throughout the building, alongside new security and building services designed to support the centre’s daily operations.

While many visitors will notice the refreshed interiors, the redevelopment has also focused on making the venue more practical for the creative organisations that use it every day.

The centre remains a heritage-listed building, with the upgrades designed to improve functionality while preserving its distinctive character.

The organisations that help shape Queensland’s performing arts

The Judith Wright Arts Centre is far more than a performance venue. It serves as a permanent home for several of Queensland’s leading arts organisations, many of which produce work seen across Australia and overseas.

Among the resident organisations are Circa, one of the country’s best-known contemporary circus companies; the Australasian Dance Collective; the Institute of Modern Art; BlakDance; Musica Viva Australia; the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts; and The Little Red Company.

These organisations support performers, dancers, musicians, directors, designers and technicians throughout the year. Many also run education programs, workshops and community activities that connect emerging artists with established professionals.

A stronger creative hub brings more life to Brunswick Street

The Judith Wright Arts Centre has helped shape the Valley’s identity as Brisbane’s creative district since it began operating as an arts venue in the 1990s. Alongside nearby music venues, galleries and independent businesses, it contributes to the suburb’s reputation as a place where creativity is part of everyday life.

The expanded facilities are expected to support more rehearsals, creative development and industry events, bringing additional visitors into the precinct throughout the year. More activity at the centre can mean more customers visiting nearby cafés, restaurants, bars and retailers throughout the week.

Preparing one of Brisbane’s cultural landmarks for the future

The refurbishment comes as Brisbane continues investing in cultural facilities ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Rather than changing the centre’s purpose, the project strengthens its ability to support artists over the coming decades. The upgraded facilities are intended to meet growing demand from resident organisations while providing a better experience for visiting performers, creative teams and community groups.

Bookings have resumed for the upgraded spaces, allowing organisations to begin using the expanded facilities for rehearsals, meetings and creative development.

Published 25-June-2026

Bistro Tino Brings Italy’s Corner Bar Culture to Fortitude Valley

Bistro Tino has officially opened its doors in Fortitude Valley, and for regulars of the James Street precinct, it’s the kind of addition that feels long overdue.

The new venue sits next door to Mosconi on Arthur Street — the well-loved Italian restaurant that owner Mark Rotolone has been building into a local institution over the past six years. Tino, which translates roughly to “little” or “junior” in Italian, is exactly that: a smaller, more relaxed sibling to its neighbour, shaped around the rhythms of everyday life rather than a special occasion.

The idea has been gestating for a while. When the former King Arthur Cafe next door became available, Rotolone moved quickly to take on the space, seeing it as the right opportunity to bring a concept he’d been thinking about for some time to life. His vision was straightforward: a place where you could rock up without a booking, have a coffee or a few glasses of wine, and let the afternoon take care of itself — the kind of unpretentious local that’s common in Italy but harder to find in Brisbane.

The kitchen is led by Alfie Cutler, working under Mosconi head chef Catherine Anders. The menu draws on European home-style cooking, with seasonal and ingredient-led dishes designed to be eaten at any time of day. Early offerings include pan con tomate with raw yellowfin tuna and anchovy butter, flatbread with pistachio mortadella, and Italian sausage with silverbeet and butter beans. From midday, the menu shifts toward something more substantial — a bifana roll with pork collar and provolone, chicken Maryland with pea fricassée, and a panzanella made, true to tradition, with yesterday’s bread. The counter stocks cannoli and a daily torta throughout the day.

Standing espressos are $2, which tells you something about what Rotolone is going for here. This is not a destination dining experience — it is somewhere to fold into your week.

The interior was designed by Brisbane studio By Burke, in collaboration with architect George Kouparitsas. At the centre of the compact space sits a handmade Tasmanian oak bar with bronzed brass detailing, complemented by ochre leather banquettes, a warm two-toned palette of cream and brown, and herringbone parquetry flooring. A vinyl setup nodding to the early 1980s runs in the background. Queensland’s characteristic light filters through louvred windows along the building’s facade, giving the room an easy, lived-in quality that makes it feel like it has been there longer than it has.

The venue can seat 20 inside and 25 alfresco, with a private dining space on the upper level for 25 guests, which is set to open by spring. Evening trading is also planned for spring, at which point Tino will shift into its full form as a true all-day venue. For now, it is open seven days from 6.30am to 2.30pm — and yes, dogs are welcome.

Bistro Tino is located at 164C Arthur Street, Fortitude Valley.

Published 1-July-2026

Historic Brisbane School of Arts Set for Private Sale After Revival Bid Falls Short

Wikipedia

The heritage-listed Brisbane School of Arts building at 166 Ann Street in the city is set to be sold to a private buyer after an expressions of interest process, which closed in May 2026, failed to produce a feasible proposal for the building’s revitalisation.

The Ann Street building, which has sat vacant in the heart of Brisbane’s CBD for some years, is one of the oldest surviving civic buildings in the city and one of the few remaining heritage landmarks with significant untapped renewal potential. Its sale marks the end of a publicly led revitalisation process and opens the door to private sector involvement in determining what the school of arts becomes next.

The expressions of interest process, which ran through early 2026, invited cultural organisations, education providers, industry bodies and investors to collaborate on a mixed-use concept combining cultural programming, adult learning and commercial uses such as boutique food and beverage outlets, all within a framework respecting the building’s heritage significance. No feasible proposals emerged.

Brisbane’s city authority has confirmed any future owner will be required to comply with full heritage protections and planning requirements, preserving the building’s historic character regardless of what use it transitions to.

A building that has served Brisbane since 1865

The Brisbane School of Arts building at 166 Ann Street carries more than 160 years of civic history. Erected in 1865-66 with a ground floor and two upper galleries, it was originally known as a Servants Home, providing accommodation for single adult women who had migrated to Queensland and were waiting to take up employment as domestic servants.

In 1873, the trustees of the North Brisbane School of Arts purchased the building for one thousand pounds. It was let to tenants before being formally converted to a school of arts in 1878.

The institution operated libraries and reading rooms oriented around “the advancement of reading and study by the delivery of lectures,” and promoted what its trustees described as “the recreation and entertainment of its members by games of skill, and generally the diffusion of knowledge and the promotion of intellectual amusement.”

A hall was added to the rear in 1884 to accommodate the Brisbane Technical College, which used the building until 1902, when responsibility for technical education transferred to the state. Brisbane’s city authority assumed trusteeship of the building in 1965-66 and operated a public library on site until 1981. Since then, the building has been let to various community groups, and more recently has sat vacant.

A new chapter for Brisbane’s heritage buildings

The sale of the Brisbane School of Arts building will place it alongside a growing cohort of Brisbane heritage properties that have found new life through private investment.

Customs House on Queen Street, the former Brisbane Dental Hospital and the former Treasury Building — currently being converted into a university campus — have all transitioned from public to private or institutional ownership while retaining their heritage character.

Brisbane’s city authority described opportunities like this as rare, noting its intent to “secure private sector investment to write the next chapter of this iconic Brisbane building.”

The building’s location on Ann Street places it within the CBD’s lower precinct, close to the boundary with Fortitude Valley and within easy walking distance of the Queen Street Mall, Brisbane Square and Central Station. For the inner-city community, what the building becomes matters — it is a prominent address in a part of the city that residents, workers and visitors pass through daily.

Heritage protections that bind any future owner

The Queensland Heritage Register records the building’s significance as a rare example of a purpose-built civic institution from the colonial period that retains much of its original fabric and form. Any purchaser takes on a building that cannot be substantially altered without heritage approval, a condition that tends to attract buyers with genuine interest in adaptive reuse rather than demolition and redevelopment.

The expressions of interest process had envisioned exactly that kind of outcome: a vibrant, mixed-use activation that brought people back into the building while preserving its layered history. Whether the sale process produces a buyer with that vision, or someone with a more commercial intent operating within the heritage constraints, remains to be seen.

Information on the Queensland Heritage Register listing for the Brisbane School of Arts can be found here.

Published 29-June-2026