Fortitude Valley Archives - Page 19 of 26

Cooking School, Art Gallery Planned for Wandoo St Industrial Building in Fortitude Valley

An outdated industrial building on Wandoo St in Fortitude Valley could be transformed into a three-storey mixed use facility for offices, a new cooking school, and an art gallery with a rooftop terrace.

The family of Angelo Cazzolato, the name behind the successful Angelo’s Pasta & Deli supermarket products, has filed the development application (DA A005887542) for the transformation of the Wandoo St building. Aside from the cooking school and art gallery, the site will also include food and drink outlets and some retail spaces.

Wandoo St is a commercial strip dominated by clothing stores and trendy homewares. The proposal, lodged by DC8 Studio for the owners, seeks to alter the existing building with an integrated contemporary facade.

The old two-storey site will house the offices, food and drink outlets, shops, and the educational or community areas. The third level will consist of the rooftop terrace.

The design of the updated building will include a unique architectural design that will also serve as the window and boundary.

“The proposal seeks to reconfigure and extend the existing building footprint to accommodate for additional land uses to support changing business needs and requirement from the immediate locality,” the development application stated. “The subject site is identified to be suitable to reflect Centre activity uses.

“The proposed works have been designed to reflect the intent and overall outcomes identified within the zone and neighbourhood plan. In particular, the proposal reflects a suitable non-residential development that provides retail, business and associated services situated over a well-located site near the entertainment precincts.”

The DA, lodged in November 2021, is still under assessment.

Meanwhile, the Cazzolato pasta products supplied many restaurants and households in Brisbane for over five decades with Angelo’s children now taking charge of the business.

Angelo Calzatto's Family — Photo Credit: Angelo Fresh Pasta Products/Facebook

Angelo came from northern Italy and moved to Australia in the 1950s as a 19-year-old young adult. He used to run his pasta factory on Wandoo St in the 1970s before moving to its current site on Doggett St in Fortitude Valley.

Proposed Building In Brunswick St To Have Animated 3D Art Wall

An animated 3D art wall will serve as the defining feature of a proposed 14-storey mixed-use building along Brunswick Street in Fortitude Valley.

Read: Get Ready for Plan B! Now Serving in Fortitude Valley

The art display, which will be a combination of animated imagery, 3D imagery, and visual media, bears a resemblance to the huge public art installation on Times Square and the illuminated signs at the Piccadilly Circus in London.

Piccadilly Lights, London (Photo credit: https://www.thedavidhockneyfoundation.org/)

The 3D art wall will make use of creative lighting through illuminating soffits along the city room on the key corner of the site.

“The art media wall will likely provide opportunities for third party advertising, with advertising only provided to third parties who’s marketing campaigns and brand align with the identity of the proposal,” the document for the proposal reads.

Aside from promoting the building’s unique identity, the media wall will help to establish the site as a recognisable landmark. The media wall is expected to become a defining feature along that key corner and thoroughfare in the Fortitude Valley.

Read: 1st Edition: Comic Book-Themed Bar and Restaurant Lands at the Valley

fortitude-valley-brisbane — Photo credit: Brisbane City Council PD Online

Plans

The applicant is seeking approval for a 14-storey mixed-use commercial tower for office and retail uses. The tower will be sited over two basement levels and a two-storey podium.

The ground floor and mezzanine level, as well as a portion of the basement level, will have retail activations, a showroom, and cafe tenancies.

brunswick-fortitude-valley — Photo credit: Brisbane City Council PD Online

The subject site is located at 388 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley, on the corner of Brunswick and McLachlan Streets.

The proposed site consists of 1,198 sqm of a larger, 2,871-sqm site which includes an existing basement car park arrangement, and low rise residential development beside. The applicant has proposed a total of 125 parking spaces, with 83 bicycle parking slots.

brunswick-berwick-st — Elevation from Brunswick Street Facing Berwick Street (Photo credit: Brisbane City Council PD Online)

The site as a whole is currently improved by two buildings. The building on the left portion of the site was formerly known as the licensed venue, ‘The Flying Cock’. The right portion is currently improved by a four-storey building presently known as FV4006 Apartments with two tenancies on the ground floor.

“The proposal represents more than just an example of high-quality contemporary architecture. It is considered in its design, seeking to blend international architectural elements from Japan and New York City with Brisbane’s sub-tropical vernacular,” Urbis has written in an assessment report for the applicant.

For further details about the proposed development, see DA-A005898651.

1st Edition: Comic Book-Themed Bar and Restaurant Lands at the Valley

Photo credit: 1st Edition / Instagram

Discover 1st Edition, the latest bar and restaurant to find a home on California Lane in Fortitude Valley that will definitely delight every avid comic book fan.

1st Edition is an intimate bar and restaurant that serves up signature cocktails named after popular comic book superheroes, perfectly paired with delectable dishes that fuse Asian-inspired dishes with American, Mexican, and French influences. All these, from the creative imaginings of Marc Grey and chef Steve Maiden, the ‘dynamic duo’ to thank for this one-of-a-kind venue.

True to its comic book theme, finding this watering hole is a bit of an adventure. It lies hidden down California Lane, much like the Batcave, with a fit-out that features Batman and Spiderman murals, and a bar top lined with comic book covers-filled panels that seamlessly blend with the neon-lit atmosphere of the bar.

Once settled, guests can go ahead and sample their signature cocktails, which are as excitingly named as they are fun to try — Mysterio (Butter Vodka, Peach syrup, apple, passionfruit, whites & passion smoke bubble); Harley Quinn (Dry gin, lemon, Persian fairy floss, gold flakes, and rose Cuvee); and Doctor Strange (Violette Rubard & Bramble gin, lemon, lavender, and simple syrup).

After a refreshing cocktail (or two!), check out their mouth-watering bites that come in sharing sizes. Try the Cheeseburger Gyoza with Kimchi Mac; MB7 Wagyu with onion soubise and greens; Kingfish sashimi with watermelon yuzu, orange and coconut; Red Duck Curry with Pineapple, Lychee, Slaw; and Spanner Crab with burnt butter, cucumber, artichoke.

1st Edition can accommodate only 22 guests and offers three 90-minute seatings, so bookings are a must. And if you happen to visit on a Friday or Saturday late evening, expect the DJ to come spinning some club hits from the loft.

1st Edition is located at 22 McLachlan Street in Fortitude Valley. They are open from 5.30 pm till late evening, Wednesday to Saturday.

1st_Edition | California Lane, 22 McLachlan Street, Fortitude Valley

Get Ready for Plan B! Now Serving in Fortitude Valley

Photo credit: Plan B / Facebook

The burger scene in Fortitude Valley just got more exciting! Plan B has opened its second Brisbane store on Wickham Street.

Now it’s your time to wrap your hands around their American-style burgers.

First off, be on the lookout for the ‘Plan_ B special.’ Every fortnight, their brilliant chef cooks up something extraordinary that will surely delight frequenters and first-time customers alike.

In case you’re wondering, the current special is Playing with Fire – lemon and pepper chicken with Fireball BBQ dip, Chipotle Mayo, and bread & butter pickles all stacked in a Plan B bun.

If that still doesn’t pan out for you, then you can’t go wrong with these blockbusters, all served in Plan B buns.

Plan_B Beef consists of Angus beef with American cheese, lettuce, pickles, tomato, onion and Plan B sauce.

Plan_B Chicken is a delicious serving of Southern fried chicken breast with shredded lettuce, spicy BBQ sauce and sweet mayo.

Bucking Buffalo consists of Southern fried chicken breast with buffalo sauce, blue cheese sauce, hash brown, American cheese and shredded lettuce.

Chicken Burger | Photo credit: Plan_B / Facebook

For vegans, it’s a toss-up between Vego (crumbed mushroom patty, American cheese, lettuce, pickles, tomato, onion, and Plan B sauce) and Tofu (deep-fried tofu, bread & butter pickles, Red Eye mayo, and oak lettuce).

Vegan burger and Kids Meal — Vegan burger / Kids Meal | Photo credit: Plan_B / Facebook

Let’s not forget their kids menu. For little people with big appetites, Plan_B favourites include Cheeseburger (Angus beef with American cheese, ketchup, and bed of fries), Hot Dog (American Frankfurter with ketchup, bed of fires and Plan B roll), and Kids Popcorn (popcorn chicken served with fries).

Check out their full menu here.

Plans are already in the works to establish more stores here in Brisbane. For now though, head on out to 540 Wickham Street in Fortitude Valley for the ultimate Plan B burger experience.

Plan_B | 540 Wickham St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006, Australia

New and Upcoming Restaurants to Try in Fortitude Valley

Here are five new and upcoming Fortitude Valley restaurants that are bravely navigating the pandemic challenges to bring you delicious, must-try cuisine.

1. Bianca

Delivering the vibe of a classic trattoria, Bianca features simple but flavourful pasta dishes and mains like steaks and the crowd favourite, porchetta alla Romana, with slight variation fitted for the Aussie dining scene. Everything is prepared in-house at this restaurant and despite the challenging times, Bianca’s booking has been constantly filled up as customers long for the comfort of Italian food. For 2022, Bianca has ramped up its menu with new pasta dishes to try. They also provide takeaway options.

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SOCIAL MEDIA

Fortitude Valley — Photo Credit: BiancaRestuarant/Facebook

*Photo Credit: BiancaRestuarant/Facebook*

2. Bisou Bisou

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SOCIAL MEDIA

French restaurant Bisou Bisou has captured the vibrant ambience of the Parisian dining scene from its interiors to its cosy courtyard, its waitstaff, and all the way to the kitchen where the head chef whips up dishes that will have you exclaiming, “Trés Bien!” If you’re craving for escargot on toast and gnocchi, authentically prepared French-style, you now know where to go.

3. Essa

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SOCIAL MEDIA

Those looking to wine and dine can’t go wrong with Essa with its choiced selection of delectable dishes and drinks. Don’t be intimated by its dark, broody fit-out — this goes with the appeal and atmosphere that its owners want the customers to enjoy. Perfect for intimate dinners or for small groups who want to lounge and unwind, Essa prides in sourcing ingredients from local producers to deliver high-end meals worth the splurge.

*Photo Credit: Essa.Restaurant/Instagram*

4. Gemelli

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SOCIAL MEDIA

Joining the rows of Italian restaurants in the Valley is Gemelli, a 120-seater dining space that encourages family dining. What sets this one apart from the other Italian restaurants in the precinct is its luxurious vibe. Gemelli is for big, classy celebrations, where groups can share generous servings of Naples-style pizza, pasta and mains with a Milan-inspired bar scene. The restaurant has over 200 on its wine list.

5. Rosmarino

WEBSITE

SOCIAL MEDIA

Rosmarino has given life to a deserted corner in the refurbished Stewart & Hemmant building with its vintage ambiance and cosy vibe. If you want to catch up with a dear friend over a bowl of homestyle pasta, a plate of all’anatra, and a glass of wine, you’ve got to experience the food and drinks at this restaurant. Rosmarino’s dishes are prepared using traditional techniques from Northern Eastern Italy. Delivery and takeaway options available.

Photo Credit: RosmarinoBrisbane/Facebook

To confirm opening schedules and other Covid19-related updates, please check their social media pages.

Opening Soon in Fortitude Valley

The team behind Hellenika and SK Steak & Oyster are opening two new restaurants on James St: Sunshine (January 2022) and Sushi Room (March 2022).

While details and social media presence are still hush-hush, the word on the street is that Sunshine will feature all-vegetarian Mediterranean dishes. The restaurant will open directly in front of The Calile Hotel, taking over the former spot of Chow House. It will boast of a unique service where customers will not have to wait for their food and a major part of its offering will be the takeaway options.

Sushi Room, on the other hand, will be an 80-seater Japanese restaurant and bar moving into the former home of Scotch & Soda and Museum of Small Things. Its menu will be focused on mostly sushi and sashimi, with a few choices of wagyu steak, tempura or fish. Sushi Room will also offer an 18-course meal for a two-hour dining experience.

Ginuary Festival 2022 Makes Big Move To Fortitude Valley

West End’s popular gin bar and restaurant Covent Garden is bringing its annual Ginuary Festival to Fortitude Valley for its biggest event yet, where the Top 100 Aussie gins will take the spotlight to celebrate the accomplishments of the craft gin distilling industry in Australia.

Read: Haunted Underground Maze Is Now Open in Fortitude Valley

Covent Garden has teamed up with Long Rays and other Australian distillers to bring the event to X-Cargo in Fortitude Valley, a venue ten times larger than its existing location in West End.

Photo credit: Covent Garden West End/Facebook

Where	X-Cargo, Fortitude Valley
When	30 January 2022 (11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m)

From over 400 nominees, Covent Garden will only name the top 100 gins this year. Voting is still up for your favourite gins, so better hurry up and vote for your picks!

Last year’s top choice was Ink Gin, a premium gin by Tumbulgum-based boutique distillery Husk Distillers. Other top contenders were Bundaberg’s Kalki Moon and Grandad Jack’s 65 Miles.

Aside from featuring the most popular gins of the year, Ginuary Festival 2022 will feature a gin alley lined with eight degustation stations where you can taste gin for free or buy limited edition ones.

A special Brookie’s cocktail bar will also be featured, whilst those who want to take the experience to the next level can buy VIP tickets which include masterclasses, cocktail classes, and more.

You can head to Covent Garden’s website to find out more about the upcoming festival, including ticket prices.

Agnes Bakery in Fortitude Valley is Brisbane’s New Favourite

Have you been to Agnes Bakery? This new bakery on James St in Fortitude Valley isn’t hard to find. Just look for the queue of people waiting to get in, Wednesdays to Sundays. When people line up for their brekky even before the store opens, that’s when you know you’re on to something good.

Agnes Bakery, which started welcoming customers in late October 2021, takes pride in making everything in-house from scratch so that every batch of baked treats is served warm and fresh daily.

From the crusty loaves of sourdough bread, perfectly burnt yet creamy Basque cheesecakes, comforting choux buns, and delightful kouign-amanns, every bite of goodies that come from the bakery’s wood-fired oven leave a satisfying taste that lingers…no wonder many customers come back for more!

Curiously, however, the bakery wasn’t in the plan for the owners. Experienced hospitality operators Ben Williamson, Ty Simon, and Frank Li — who run popular Brisbane restaurants like Same Same, Honto, and Bianca — initially set their sights on opening a restaurant (also called Agnes).

However, things changed when the hospitality industry took a big hit during the pandemic. Not to be discouraged, the operators decided to shift gears and use their Agnes Restaurant spot as a pop-up bakery, opened during limited hours only, in August 2020 until the pandemic panic subsided. Amidst social distancing guidelines, customers lined up for the limited offering which has prompted the owners to consider expanding their business plan to include the bakery.

“One of the concepts we have started to explore more is how the use of fire applies to working with ancient and sustainably grown grains, and how it can add to the complexity of flavours in sourdough and pastries, both sweet and savoury,” the owner said. “On top of this, we wanted to provide people with the opportunity to enjoy some of the wares we serve at Agnes restaurant, within a casual setting.”

As things fell into place, the former Agnes Bakery pandemic pop-up became a stand-alone, permanent site and not merely an extension of Agnes Restaurant, with 14 bakers in the kitchen and 10 staff at the frontline. The group also formulated an enhanced menu filled with more appetising choices.

Apart from the pop-up favourites, Agnes Bakery also offers smoked potato braid, heaps of danishes (potato/rosemary, apple crumble, and blueberry/citrus, among other flavours), as well as a rotating mix of cake slices, flans, cookies, and savoury muffins and pizzettes. Soon, the bakery will also introduce a lunch range featuring ciabatta sandwiches.

For those on the clock, the bakery has a convenient coffee window for quick orders.

Agnes Bakery opens Wednesday to Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Follow their Facebook page for updates.

“Everything is excellent and can’t wait till they add some more condiments and things. They make stuff you don’t really see in Australia (like pithivier) which is fun as well.”
Ben E

“OMG! This beautiful bakery is an absolute gem! I called in at the end of their 1st day (my interest was sparked as I drove past in the morning and there was a 100-meter line-up of peeps down James St). This place must have something going for it. I was not disappointed. The young, cheerful girl who greeted me was very knowledgeable on the delights available. I purchased a blackberry and blueberry and passion fruit with melted marshmallow Kouign-amann. Supercalifragilisticepialidocious is an apt word for my experience of this pastry delight. From the crispy outer layers of glazed pastry to the inner taste bud tingling cream patisserie, I was completely lost in indulgent heaven.”
Samantha Hutchison

Fortitude Valley Property Market Rises Despite Softer Demand for Inner-City Living

Like many other inner-city locations with high-density urban precincts, the Fortitude Valley property market has had an oversupply of inventory and high vacancy rates but performed astonishingly better within the 12-month period ending June 2021, amidst a softer housing demand through the pandemic.

Highlights

Fortitude Valley had a 3.78 per cent growth between July 2020 to June 2021, despite a softer demand for properties close to the CBD during the lockdowns.
The median unit price moved upwards to $456,630 compared to $440,000 pre-pandemic.
Buyers and investors are taking advantage of the opportunity to buy properties in Fortitude Valley whilst the prices are subdued.

Unit Price Growth

Despite most buyers flocking to the middle and outer ring suburbs to find lifestyle properties to work from home, the apartment market in Fortitude Valley still had a substantial buying activity between July 2020 to June 2021. Figures from Property Market Updates revealed that this suburb so close to the CBD, where disheartening shutdowns and job cutbacks have been significant, posted a 3.78 per cent growth, pulling the median unit price up to $456,630.

With 405 transactions closed for this period, Fortitude Valley attracted buyers and investors who saw an opportunity to buy newly-built apartments whilst property prices have been more subdued than other markets. Though house prices are rising all across Brisbane, first-home buyers and younger professionals have been grabbing the chance to invest in the Valley and get their foot in the door closer to the city.

Buying than renting units is cheaper in Fortitude Valley and this realisation accounts for much of the 151 two-bedroom units snapped up within an average of 76 days on market. A townhouse located on Bowen Terrace, which offers a good vantage point of the Story Bridge and is within walking distance to lifestyle and recreational amenities, was sold at the highest price of $2,426,00.

About Fortitude Valley

The dwellings offered in Fortitude Valley are best suited for the younger demographic. More than 65 per cent of the residents here are between 20 to 39 years old and the majority do not have any kids. Thus, they feel at home in this suburb’s vibe and energy with its buzzing entertainment and nightlife district.

A significant number of homes in the Valley are also purchased for investment and rented out to college students, professionals, singles, and young couples who prefer walking, biking, or taking public transportation to get to work or meet-ups with friends at heaps of local hangouts. The residential precincts continue to grow alongside commercial developments, making Fortitude Valley such an exciting place for people who prefer cosmopolitan living.

Fortitude Valley is the go-to host for the best musical acts regularly performing along Brunswick Street Mall in China Town. In contrast, the James Street precinct is where people go for dining at fancy and trendy restaurants or shopping at upmarket boutiques. However, there are also a number of heritage-listed buildings standing next to modern sites. During weekdays, the Valley is busy as office and business workers hustle whilst weekends are for chilling out.

“If you’re wanting to be as close as possible to both the airport & CBD for work; then it’s hard to beat the Fortitude Valley due to its quick access to toll-paid-tunnels, great choice of bars, restaurants, cafe’s and heaps of gyms as well as a great public pool for athletes or the athletic-minded. Rent is fairly reasonable considering how close you are to the city centre & the fact that pretty much the whole suburb has access to TPG’s FTTB fibre optic internet combined with great cellular coverage means high-speed internet either via fibre optic cables or 4G is always available. Many apartments have great views as well which is a plus.”
Alexk15

“Fortitude Valley is a razor edge kind of place. Insanely, almost migraine-inducingly cool, it has a seedy heart to it at times. By day, hip designers sell overpriced products to EMO’s and grown-ups who should know better. Excellent restaurants vie for attention amongst organic beauty outlets and dingy cafes. By night, a rock scene comes alive and the streets swell with the youth and the youthful of the Brissy music scene. Staples of the Valley include Fatboys/Riks cafe and the Empire Hotel.”
Ready09

Fortitude Valley to Welcome First Baby HQ Flagship Store in Brisbane

Baby HQ, a popular Byron Bay retailer of baby products and equipment, is opening its first flagship store in Fortitude Valley, taking over the former Kathmandu site on Ann Street.

Set to open in late October or early November 2021, the new store is going to bring an “immersive experience” for parents who want to shop for the best baby items with ease.

Baby HQ chief financial officer James Byrne said that the Fortitude Valley store will have its own pram testing track to allow parents to test out the equipment on different surfaces. The site will also have display rooms with working baby products so shoppers will immediately have an idea of a functional nursery.

Store demonstrations of car seat installation, which most new parents need, will be a prominent facet of Baby HQ.

The Fortitude Valley site will have a special space for pregnant moms at the lounge, where may take breaks in between shopping. Other Parents can sip a cup of coffee at the lounge as well as their kids enjoy the play area.

Moms who are nursing will appreciate the privacy of the store’s breastfeeding area. Changing nappies will also be very convenient since Baby HQ will also feature this facility.

Founded by parents Stephen Muldoon and Elena Palamara, Baby HQ has been enjoying brisk sales through its e-commerce site since the pandemic. Mr Byrne said that the company’s expansion to Brisbane was precipitated by the move of many young families from Sydney and Melbourne to the Queensland capital.

The prominent location on Ann Street made sense to the owners since it is directly below McWhirters Carpark, which will be very important to parents who drive to the store to buy a car seat. Baby HQ will also benefit from the foot traffic coming from the James Street shopping precinct. The store has secured an eight-year lease on their Fortitude Valley store.

Follow Baby HQ on Facebook for updates on their latest products.

Fortitude Valley’s New Tropical Hideout is Perfect for Hiding Away

Tucked away in Fortitude Valley’s urban jungle is a tropical-inspired haven that’s perfect for enjoying a quiet and pleasurable mealtime. Hideout, a cafe, bar, and private function space on Wickham Street, may just be your new secret hideaway.

Serving Bear Bones Coffee Roasters throughout the week, Hideout entices patrons with its generous breakfast choices, including a flavourful avocado on Turkish toast sprinkled with dukkah or a satisfying Breaky Burger with bacon and eggs.

Lunch fares include pecking duck spring rolls with sweet chilli sauce, pulled pork bao with carrots, mint, hoisin, cucumber and crushed peanuts, charred chorizo with lime and aioli, and choices of homemade pizza and the absolute must-try — The Hideout Burger with its special sauce!

Photo Credit: HideoutFortitudeValley/Facebook

On Fridays, Hideout extends its trading hours until the early evening for dinner and booze, when the owners turn on the fairy lights to create a relaxing vibe meant for chilling out. The cafe turns into a bar with a carefully curated wine list, cocktails, and craft beer.

During the weekends, Hideout caters to private functions like birthdays, engagement parties, weddings and other events. Owners Victoria and Tim have built this space with private gatherings in mind, especially with the changing pandemic restrictions.

Situated inside A. E. Griffiths’ former battery and service station in the 1940s, Hideout’s location also used to be a brothel and a function space over the years. Victoria and Tim were eyeing this post-war era site for its unique architecture for years.

“We took this enormous leap when this property became available,” the owners said, adding that they also incorporated their love for greenery in the cafe’s design when they opened shop in late 2020. They were specific about the kinds of plants that are around Hideout’s tropical hideaway.

Browse the menu and book for a table via the official site or contact the staff on their Facebook page. You may also phone the team at (07) 3180 3825 for reservations.

“An awesome bar and cafe hidden in the middle of the Valley in what used to be an old mechanic years ago… not that you would know it. The new owners have done an insane renovation and it now has the best laidback jungle vibe. I had beers and a burger the first night and liked it so much I went back for coffee and breakfast the next day while I was still in Brisbane. Burger was on point, beers icy cold and coffee excellent. There is a beautiful tropical garden courtyard hidden out the back – it’s like an oasis full of lush plants. Didn’t want to leave.”
Kaity Michael

“A fresh new go-to in the Valley. If you love good beer, great service and an Instagram worthy backdrop, this place is a must!”
Tess Malcombe

“Honestly, the best muffins in the game right now. This place is terrific and the Baristas are very friendly. Highly recommend.”
Thomas Bowen