wintergarden Archives - Fortitude Valley News

Wintergarden Redevelopment Plans Submitted as Brisbane CBD Landmark Set for Major Overhaul

Photo Credit: IFM Investors/DA A007057493

A long-awaited redevelopment of Brisbane’s Wintergarden precinct has moved a step closer, with plans lodged to transform the ageing Queen Street Mall complex while removing one of its most recognisable architectural features.

A development application (DA A007057493) has been lodged with Brisbane City Council for the Wintergarden and adjoining InterContinental Brisbane precinct, outlining extensive upgrades to the retail areas beneath the hotel and improvements to pedestrian connections between Queen Street Mall and Elizabeth Street.

The proposal, designed by global architecture practice Woods Bagot, includes a redesigned retail gallery across two levels, new escalators and lifts, changes to internal layouts and upgraded public spaces. The retail wing between Tattersall’s Arcade and the Embassy Hotel is proposed to remain largely unchanged, while the InterContinental’s Elizabeth Street entrance and porte cochère would also be refurbished. The hotel tower itself is not included in the application.

Butterfly Façade Set To Disappear

One of the most noticeable changes would be the removal of Wintergarden’s distinctive butterfly façade.

Installed in 2012, the sculptural frontage stretches about 86 metres across Queen Street Mall and features approximately 24,000 LED lights. The artwork was created by Melbourne-based architecture firm Studio 505 in collaboration with Canadian lighting designer Bruce Ramus.

Under the redevelopment plans, the butterfly installation would be removed, with the underlying façade proposed to be restored.

*Photo Credit: IFM Investors*/*DA A007057493*

From Retail Destination To Underused Space

Wintergarden opened in 1982 ahead of the Brisbane Commonwealth Games with 92 specialty stores and one of Brisbane’s earliest enclosed food courts, quickly becoming a popular destination for shoppers, diners and city workers.

In recent years, however, large sections of the complex have become vacant as retail activity shifted across the CBD. Several major tenants remain, including Strike Bowling, Goodlife Health Clubs, Zara, M.J. Bale, Sheike and Mecca Maxima, but many shopfronts are no longer occupied.

The changing fortunes of the centre have stood in contrast to other busy retail and dining precincts across Brisbane’s CBD.

New Owners Driving Revitalisation

The redevelopment follows the acquisition of the precinct by IFM Investors from property funds manager ISPT.

The proposal continues work previously undertaken for the site by Woods Bagot under its former ownership. Earlier concepts for the precinct envisioned a broader mixed-use destination featuring revitalised retail, improved pedestrian links, landscaped public areas and expanded hospitality offerings.

While the current development application focuses on the existing retail podium and hotel arrival experience, it marks the first formal stage of a broader effort to revitalise one of Brisbane CBD’s best-known commercial addresses.

If approved, the project would modernise the ageing precinct while retaining key parts of the existing complex and strengthening its connection to the surrounding Queen Street Mall.

Published 10-July-2026

Disney Fans, Get Ready: Australia’s Biggest Disney Pop-Up Is Coming to Brisbane

@disneystoreau/Instagram

An official Disney Store pop-up is opening at Wintergarden on Queen Street Mall, bringing what the brand describes as its biggest pop-up experience in Australia to date.

The store will operate from 4 July to 27 September at Shop QSM 103, 209 Queen Street Mall, stocking collectibles, toys and apparel inspired by a wide range of Disney and Pixar characters. It arrives during Pixar’s 40th anniversary year, with the studio having been founded in 1986, and the range will include dedicated anniversary product lines alongside the broader Disney offering.

The first 50 people through the door when the store opens at 9am on 4 July will receive a free gift.

What’s on the shelves

The range goes well beyond the standard souvenir fare. Brisbane-exclusive collective cards, designed specifically for this city and not available anywhere else, are one of the headline offerings. Disney Store Japan ranges will also be stocked, bringing product lines that rarely surface in Australian retail.

*Photo Credit: @disneystoreau/Instagram*

Christmas in July will be represented through ornaments of beloved characters, and a dedicated pin collector event runs on 8 July, focused on Disney’s beloved animals and featuring exclusive pins available only in London, Dublin and Brisbane. Tickets for the pin event are sold separately.

Stock refreshes weekly throughout the run, which means a visit in July and another in September are likely to turn up very different shelves.

Planning your visit

Those who visited Brisbane’s previous Disney Store pop-up will remember the queues. This one is described as the largest iteration yet, and the Queen Street Mall location gives it one of the highest foot traffic spots in Queensland retail. Weekday visits are the practical choice for anyone who wants to browse without pressure.

Weekend mornings, especially in the school holiday period around early July, are likely to be a different experience entirely.

The store is open Monday to Thursday from 9am to 6pm, Friday from 9am-9pm, Saturday from 9am-6pm, and Sunday from 10am-5pm. The Disney Store pop-up at Wintergarden, Shop QSM 103, 209 Queen Street Mall runs 4 July to 27 September. Further details are available at here.

Published 4-June-2026

Reviving Queen Street Mall: Will Proposed Upgrades Ever Happen?

Over the years, numerous proposals and discussions have taken place to upgrade Brisbane’s Queen Street Mall, but the long-awaited revamp has yet to materialise. While city planners and business leaders have put forward ideas for revitalisation, little tangible progress has been made, leaving many questioning the future of this iconic retail precinct.

Read: After 35 Years, Myer to Leave Queen St Mall and Look For New Location

Among the proposed upgrades is the transformation of Wintergarden, a prominent retail hub in the heart of the mall. However, instead of progress, the past year has seen a steady exodus of tenants.

The announcement of plans for landscaped city lanes and enhanced connectivity between Elizabeth and Queen Streets, including the removal of Elizabeth Street’s car park ramps, coincided with a wave of retail departures from Wintergarden last year.

Retail Struggles and Decline

Photo credit: Moises Vasquez/Google Maps

Since its opening in 1982, Queen Street Mall has undergone multiple changes, with the removal of several buildings and retail spaces over the years. However, in recent times, the decline has been more evident.

The closure of beloved establishments such as Pig ‘N’ Whistle pub and Milano Italian restaurant in 2023 has further dampened the mall’s vibrancy. The end of lockdowns, coupled with increasing living costs, has placed significant pressure on retailers, contributing to the precinct’s struggle.

Proposed Revitalisation Strategies

Queen Street Mall — Photo credit: Michael Lindenboy/Google Maps

To breathe new life into the mall, Brisbane City architect Lucas Christopher has proposed several revitalisation strategies:

Reintroducing Permanent Pods – To create a more engaging environment, Christopher suggests adding architecturally distinctive pods for retail, food, and drink. These should go beyond basic transactions to offer immersive and memorable experiences.
Curating the Retail Mix – A carefully selected mix of tenants could boost the mall’s appeal. Christopher proposes prioritising experiential businesses over banks and telcos and encouraging late-night trading to attract a more diverse crowd.
Developing Unique Retail Concepts – A council-private sector partnership could introduce creative retail and entertainment options. Ideas include a jacaranda-themed café, a breakfast pod, a public seating staircase, and a 24-hour restaurant and bar to foster a vibrant, community-driven atmosphere.

“By reintroducing versatile 24-hour focused spaces like those suggested above, the mall could once again become a vibrant destination that blends retail with a sense of community and culture.” Christopher said.

Rather than vacant concrete slabs replacing once-thriving areas, Christopher suggested that the mall could be transformed into a space that fosters engagement and celebrates the diversity of Brisbane.

Read: Honouring Graham Pampling, Beloved Busker of the Queen Street Mall

As the retail landscape continues to evolve, the challenge remains for city planners and business leaders to turn these ideas into reality. Whether the Queen Street Mall revamp finally materialises or remains an unfulfilled promise is yet to be seen.

Published 14-February-2025