Fortitude Valley Archives - Page 21 of 26

Plans for New Fortitude Valley Hotel Revealed

A development application for FV Hotel, an all-new hotel building at Fortitude Valley’s Ann Street, has been submitted.

621 Ann St, located in the Valley’s wellness precinct, could potentially become the site of the luxurious 15-storey hotel building. FV Hotel, designed by the architectural group Buchan, sports a sub-tropical aesthetic that correlates with and adheres to the Brisbane City Council’s New World City Design Guide.

Render of the proposed FV Hotel.
Photo credit: PD Online/Brisbane City Council

The new hotel is expected to revitalise the southern end of Fortitude Valley by creating a vibrant hub that provides the local community with a wider range of functions and facilities.

The hotel facilities will include a gym, pool, rooftop function and bar space, and outdoor cabanas, and it will offer a total of 204 single-bedroom suites for its guests as well as a 209-sqm ground floor complete with a restaurant. Though the rooftop will only be accessible to hotel guests, their outdoor recreational facilities will be available to the public.

FV Hotel also takes the environment into consideration, carefully constructed to accommodate greenery which also provide an array of benefits. The horizontal projection of planting provides shading to residences while simultaneously mitigating acoustics and protection from harsh sunlight. Open-ended corridors also make way for natural ventilation, limiting the need of air conditioning and artificial cooling.

Render of FV Hotel and its green design
Photo credit: PD Online/Brisbane City Council

Those interested in learning more about Property Projects Australia’s FV Hotel development can visit their Brisbane City Council’s Planning & Development Online proposal here: A005681170.

Honouring Graham Pampling, Beloved Busker of the Queen Street Mall

A petition has been called by the Brisbane public to erect a statue of the late-yet-legendary busker Graham Pampling at Queen Street Mall, where he played the saxophone six days a week from 1998 to 2018.

Graham Pampling, who passed in 2019, was a beloved busker who had become something of a community staple in Queen Street. It was hard to ignore the blind busker whose music had become an integral part of everyone’s everyday life, regaling the city with his saxophone.

His labradors, who served as his guide dogs and loyal friends, often accompanied him during these sessions. Pampling became something of a local celebrity given his inspiring story.

Pampling was born with retinitis pigmentosa, a rare genetic condition that slowly causes cells in the retina to die which then leads to blindness.

Throughout his life, he experienced a great many hardships — including the death of his 19-year-old son, who tragically perished in a forklifting accident in 1985.

The marriage between Pampling and his wife of 28 years also broke down, which then led to the busker-to-be to travel to Brisbane with his saxophone, where he stayed for the next three decades. He’d set up in Queen Street Mall and begin busking for every passerby, serenading the public with his beautiful music.

His music wasn’t the only thing that cemented his status as a local icon and inspiration in the city, for Pampling had also volunteered at local schools to teach visually impaired students how to type without using their sight.

Brisbane residents from all around the city have signed a petition, titled Remember Graham Pampling, to immortalise him and celebrate his memory by creating a statue in his honour. As of the 28th of February, 2021, over 6,900 people have signed in hopes of having the statue raised. Those interested in contributing to Graham Pampling’s memory can find and sign the petition here.

Fortitude Valley’s Popular Hellenika Zucchini Chips to be Patented

For nearly 10 years and counting, Hellenika, the Greek restaurant inside The Calile in Fortitude Valley, has been known for its addicting, crunchy and tasty zucchini chips. It’s been on the restaurant’s menu from the beginning and now restaurateur Simon Gloftis plans to patent how it’s made.

Mr Gloftis said that patenting the popular entrée or poolside snack, otherwise also called the Kolokithia, would prevent copycats from developing their version of the Hellenika zucchini chips. He wants to ensure that this product is solely identified with his restaurant because it will never be taken off the menu.

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A post shared by HELLENIKA (@hellenika)

Every week, Hellenika serves thousands of orders of this thinly-sliced batter-fried goodness and the demand hasn’t slowed after the pandemic lockdown.

“You can never have a bad day when Hellenika zucchini chips are involved, it’s a fact,” the restaurant’s Instagram page stated. “Sprinkled with kefalograviera, because cheese makes everything even better.⁠”

Mr Gloftis hasn’t detailed how he’ll acquire the food patent but he’s not the only one planning to patent a signature dish. Detour in Woolloongabba will also patent its recipe and cooking process for its famous Kentucky Fried Duck (KFD).

Meanwhile, Hellenika is the loveliest place for Sunday dining and lounging by The Calile Hotel’s poolside if you want to indulge in a fancy vibe, impressive and authentic Mediterranean food, as well as fantastic Greek pale ale or cocktails.

Book a spot in advance at this sophisticated venue.

The Mason Baker Brings Australia’s First Cupcake ATM to Fortitude Valley

Ever heard of an ATM dispensing cupcakes instead of cash? See Australia’s very first Cupcake ATM in action as it launches in Fortitude Valley courtesy of The Mason Baker.

In 2012, Sprinkles, an innovative foodie company from Beverly Hills changed how sweet-tooth and dessert lovers got an instant and sweet gratification with the Cupcake ATM. Now with an annual revenue of US$16 million, the idea has exploded around the world and it is finally coming to Brisbane on Friday, 5 Feb 2021.

The Mason Baker, a Tennyson-based company best known for its decadent jar cakes, will be setting up its very own Cupcake ATM at 6 Warner Street, right outside the new Kickons bar, for every weekend of February (Thursday, Friday and Saturday).

It will be easy to spot the vending machine. Just keep your eyes peeled for a bright pink coloured ATM, which will likely have a long line of cupcake lovers by 5:00 p.m. — cos that’s when the vending machine has a fresh batch of spongy delights.

Owner James Willis said that they have been working with Worldwide Vending to bring this innovative idea amidst the surge of a new contactless economy in the food industry.

The Cupcake ATM will have heaps of choices, including classic favourites like Strawberries and Cream, Chocolate Ganache and Salted Caramel. Each order will be packed in The Mason Baker’s familiar container.

Essentially, if the Cupcake ATM becomes a hit, The Mason Baker plans to put more machines across Brisbane for the rest of 2021.

Instagrammable Pink-Themed Rose Room Cafe Opens in Fortitude Valley

A stunning new function room, aptly named the Rose Room for its splash of pink and blush-coloured hues, has opened this December in Fortitude Valley.

Located on the ground floor of The Constance Hotel, the Rose Room is just as gorgeous as its sister venue, the Dirty Sultan bar and restaurant found on the building’s rooftop.

You’ll gawk at the sight of this space the moment you’ll see the row of rose gold champagne bottles by the entryway. Once you step into the room, the vision before you could take your breath away.

Every design element has a “sharable” character to it — from the rose mural on one part of the walls to the tables and seats, the curtains, and the Turkish-style lighting fixtures.

The restaurant’s food selection even matches the decor with choices like the pink-coloured smoothie bowl, signature thick shake and the Baklava berry pancakes.

The Rose Room is a cafe by the day and a party venue for cocktail parties and intimate gatherings at night, if you’re looking for a venue for a hen’s party or a themed-birthday celebration.

The cafe opens from Wednesday to Sunday for breakfast until noontime. On the other hand, function packages are detailed at the Dirty Sultan official site.

Newly-Opened Eatery Lloyd’s General Store in Fortitude Valley Serves Just One Dish a Night

Do you struggle with deciding what to order from a menu? A newly-opened restaurant in Fortitude Valley is doing away with such a task by serving just one dish every night. Lloyd’s General Store came up with this quirky idea to take the farm-to-plate concept up a notch.

Lloyd’s General Store owners Elizabeth and James Lloyd also limit the number of plates they prepare each night. Taking on a more organic approach, Liz said that she wants the diners to know where the food comes from. Most of the ingredients used in the kitchen are from the farm of Liz’s parents in Ipswich.

Everything is cooked and prepared in front of the customers, within the eatery’s 40-square metre space. Liz said that dining at Lloyd’s General Store feels like you’re just in your mum’s kitchen and waiting for her to finish cooking.

The ambience is as cosy as a home kitchen with brick walls and large glass windows, wooden ceiling beams, vintage and recycled furniture and hand-painted decorations.

Photo Credit: Lloyd’s General Store/Instagram

But the eatery is also a providore with deli items, artisanal food items, pre-packaged terrines and pate, tinned sardines, as well as oil and vinegar for cooking.

Salads, croissants and coffee from Allpress are available during the daytime. At night, the restaurant serves wine and charcuterie, craft beers and hops.

Whilst there’s one main meal on the menu, guests coming in may either construct their own meals from the assorted pantry stuff or have Lloyd’s crew prepare the food. The Lloyds are also considering vegan options and a special dessert available for just one night.

Lloyd’s General Store, at 1 Brunswick Street and the corner of Gregory Terrace, used to be a hairdresser studio, a graphic design office and a florist shop.

For the store’s trading hours, follow @lloydsgeneralstore on Instagram.

Artificial Intelligence Hub to be Built in Fortitude Valley

A $5.5-million+ Artificial Intelligence Hub will soon be built in Fortitude Valley, part of a training hub called The Precinct meant to support businesses, startups, and the innovation sector by providing skills training programs and jobs to people in Queensland.

The state government will provide seed funding for the hub out of its landmark $755-million Advance Queensland initiative, along with some investment from the private sector. The state will also be bringing in international experts in AI and innovation technology as experts-in-residence.

Key Initiatives

To be managed by AI Consortium, the AI Hub will have four key initiatives which are meant to provide jobs to talented AI professionals in the state for a more diversified QLD economy.

grow awareness and connect Queensland businesses, industry, government organisations and universities to local AI talent and technologies;
showcase local AI talent and businesses;
deliver programs to develop AI talent (tertiary students, researchers and emerging AI businesses);
connect Queensland’s AI talent and solutions to other global centres.

(List of key initiatives from: AI Hub | Advance Queensland Initiative)

Annastacia Palaszczuk has been quite vocal about the shortage of talent in the AI industry in Queensland and the need to provide skills training to fill the skills gap.

“Currently we have up to eight times more AI jobs on offer in the state than people with the right skills available to fill them,” she has pointed out in a recent statement about the initiative.

What to Expect

Specialised training and education will be available at the AI Hub for the state’s public sector and industry. Several Australian universities, along with local and international companies, have already expressed interest in participating in or initiating programs at the hub.

Kate Jones, Innovation Minister, explained that the seed funding from the government will act as a catalyst for private sector investment.

Envisioned as a co-working place for startups involved in machine learning, advanced robotics, and speech recognition technology, the hub will also be a place for networking and mentoring as industry experts and talents from the technology sector gather together to teach and learn.

“It will also help to attract investment into Queensland startups and innovative local companies with AI-based solutions for global markets,” Ms Jones said.

Coming Soon

In a statement about the hub on its website, AI Consortium describes itself as “a group of technology-focused businesses…” which “…have been successfully operating, innovating and engaging in the development of artificial intelligence for many years.”

“Right now, due to the unprecedented global crisis we all face, Queensland AI Hub is embracing the virtual world of connection – as we should, given our interests. But, stay tuned, because later this year we will evolve from a just a digital platform to a physical hub where we can’t wait to collaborate face-to-face and build upon the strength of Queensland’s AI community.”

Why Popular Chinese Eatery in Fortitude Valley Is Closing Until May

King of Kings, the over 30-year-old Chinese restaurant in Fortitude Valley, has been closed to diners since February. Loyal patrons, however, have no reason to worry amid concerns over coronavirus.

The owners of the Chinese-Australian family eatery has set the record straight in a social media post. They announced that shutdown is due to the restaurant’s major renovations and not the speculated COVID-19 disease.

King of Kings will reopen sometime in May. The owners also placed a sign on its entrance to let their customers know that it will be business as usual once the renovations are done.

Photo Credit: King of Kings Seafood Restaurant/Facebook

Major news outlets reported that the closure was due to the coronavirus crisis after Kings of Kings’ phone lines and email access were disconnected in mid-February.

It comes as many of Brisbane’s Chinese restaurants are reportedly experiencing a significant drop in business. The Chinese restaurant communities across Australia have also been reeling from the health scare.

Australia China Business Council head Helen Sawczak appealed to the public amidst the backlash affecting Chinese businesses, especially those in operation in Australia for many decades. She told media outlets that there are millions of Australian citizens with Chinese heritage who have no contact with the virus and those of Chinese ethnicity should not be the target.

Ms Sawczak also said that coronavirus is not a Chinese virus but a global humanitarian crisis. She encouraged the public to still enjoy their Chinese food and “not add to the hysteria.”

Sample the Best of Australian Distilleries at the Ginfused Festival

Love the taste of good old fashioned gin and tonic? Then mark your calendar for a sampling of the best from Australia’s finest distilleries this Saturday, the 29th of February 2020, as the Ginfused Festival returns in Fortitude Valley.

Pig ‘N’ Whistle on Brunswick Street is hosting and celebrating another showcase of glorious ginfused drinks. Expect a variety of mixers and flavours as heaps of local distillers have signed up for this spirited event.

Confirmed to join the Ginfused Festival, so far, are the following distilleries from New South Wales, South Australia, and Queensland:

Besides the classic lime mixer, these distillers will be offering unique various tasteful concoctions. Gin and tonic muddled in sorbet or chillies? You’ve got to come to the event to see and taste for yourself!

*Photo Credit: Pig ‘N’ Whistle Brunswick Street/Facebook*

Pair your chosen gin with the perfect match of cheese or cured meats from a pre-purchased set served in a convenient charcuterie board upon registration. If you’re unsure what to get, free cocktail masterclasses will be underway to help you pick the best gin to go with the right type of food.

Sip and nibble on this relaxing weekend as live music plays in the background. But the fun isn’t done after you’ve gulped down all the drink you can have as a raffle draw will take place for some lucky gin lovers to win amazing prizes.

David Jones to Shut Down Luxurious Fortitude Valley Store

David Jones has confirmed it is closing its store in Fortitude Valley. Three years since it opened on James Street, the upscale department store will be shutting down in June 2020.

The site is the first David Jones to close in Queensland. However, a spokesperson said that this decision is in line with its “retail network strategy.”

The department store is optimising its operations as the needs and preferences of customers change. The company insisted that it is still doing OK.

With the impending shutdown, David Jones Fortitude Valley staff will not lose their jobs. Many of the team members have been redeployed at nearby outlets, including the biggest outlet in Brisbane at the Queens Plaza. This store is located some 5-kilometres away from the James Street site.

“We look forward to welcoming Brisbane customers to our QueensPlaza CBD flagship, our new-concept Carindale store and other surrounding David Jones stores as well as to davidjones.com,” the spokesperson said.

In August 2019, the department store’s owner Woolworths Holdings said, through its representatives, that it will be “aggressively” shutting down its physical stores as profits from these stores declined by 42 percent. In contrast, online sales during the second half of 2019 jumped by 61.8 percent, representing 10.4 percent of total sales.

Meanwhile, the outlet in Elizabeth Street in Brisbane City has also successfully contributed to last year’s sales. The site has undergone a massive nine-storey refurbishment, which is due for completion this March.