Case Studies

Brisbane Showgrounds

Design Feature

Type of project
Infrastructure, Structure Plan
State
Queensland
Location
Urban
Lendlease’s $2.9 billion Brisbane Showgrounds redevelopment is a significant urban regeneration project which is transforming the inner-city Brisbane suburb of Bowen Hills. Developed over 15 years, the Showgrounds will be home to five commercial office buildings, 2,500 residential apartments, a new hotel, a business and convention centre, a retail high street and will provide greater access to existing green spaces. By 2025, more than 15,000 people are expected to live, work and visit the precinct. As a recognised Queensland icon, the Brisbane Showgrounds and Lendlease have committed to creating a precinct that is a dominant and contributing part of Brisbane’s community.
A progressive destination
In 2003, the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association (RNA) Council initiated a project to achieve two goals. Firstly, to guarantee the annual Ekka (agricultural show of Queensland) would remain at the Brisbane Showgrounds where it was first held in 1876, and secondly, to ensure the long-term financial viability of the RNA. Seven years later, this vision was realised for a mixed-use destination with the approval of the Brisbane Showgrounds Master Plan in November 2010 by the Urban Land Development Authority. This approval paved the way for construction to begin in April 2011, with Lendlease selected as the preferred development partner.
Stage one of the 15-year regeneration project was complete in 2013 with the opening of the Royal International Convention Centre, and the adjoining Plaza and Porte-Cochere. To complement these community facilities, the RNA and Lendlease unveiled stage two of the project in 2014.
This has seen the construction and completion of The Green residential apartments, Rydges Hotel and commercial tower Kingsgate and commencement on The Yards residential apartments construction. Stage two also included the development of the King Street precinct as a local destination, and the progressive opening of food and retail outlets, which is ongoing. Stage three of the project commenced in August 2016, with construction beginning on retail concept Kings Coop.
The entire public realm of the Brisbane Showgrounds has been curated to ensure the preservation of the sites heritage and establishment of a sense of place at the destination. Through the appointment of independent curator John Waldron, the original rural values and history of the site remains visible through buildings and behaviours embedded in the urban fabric of the neighbourhood.
These include story-telling/timelines in tree grates, the repurposing of wood and weatherboard in the retail spaces and the extra wide boulevard for alfresco dining, all of which has reimagined the aesthetic of public open space at the Brisbane Showgrounds.

Furthermore, the completion of the efficient Airport Link and Northern Busway, extensive bike and walk paths, as well as other planned transport infrastructure projects, ensures the Brisbane Showgrounds has an accessible and connected movement network, providing convenient travel to and from the destination for the community. 
Project team
  • Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association (RNA)
  • Lendlease

Project Cost
$2.9 Billion
Health value
The King Street retail and residential precinct offers:
  • Free weekly fitness classes and a boot camp for apartment residents, workers and the surrounding community.
  • Extensive bike and walk paths to deliver opportunities for active travel.
  • Award winning produce from the Queensland Royal Food and Wine show which is showcased in restaurants lining King Street, encapsulating the ‘paddock to plate’ ethos.

Economic Value
  • The regeneration project is expected to deliver $300 million per annum in economic benefits to Queensland, while supporting Brisbane’s future economic and population growth by creating more than 2,000 jobs.
  • The Brisbane Showgrounds redevelopment is predicted to increase liveability of the Bowen Hills precinct, increase employment and educational opportunities for locals, and host a wide range of events, thus attracting major visitation to the area.

Environmental Value
  • The Brisbane Showgrounds is Queensland’s urban heartland and identifying and providing sustainable solutions has been critical to ensuring the precinct’s future. At every stage of this urban regeneration, sustainable outcomes have been incorporated, including:
  • The reuse of materials and the preservation of historic facades on existing buildings.
  • The planting of 70 rural and native tree species along King Street.
  • The design and construct of Kingsgate commercial office building which achieved a Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) 6-star Green Star - Office Design V3 certificate rating.
  • Sustainable urban agriculture through the provision of herbs and planter boxes along King Street, supporting healthy built food environments.
  • Extensive bike and walk paths to deliver sustainable travel options.
  • On-site reuse of demolition materials and an integrated waste management strategy.
  • Implementation of strict building design guidelines for water sourcing and usage to ensure the security of water supply for the life of the precinct.
  • Kingsgate has one of the largest rooftop solar installations in the Brisbane CBD fringe – predicted to provide approximately 13% of the base building electricity requirements.

Social Value
  • Two key areas of community focus in the redevelopment have been education through the Expanding Minds program, and urban agriculture through the King Street Edible Gardens.
  • The Expanding Minds program helps to empower students to innovate and push the boundaries of what has been done before in urban space creation. Initiatives include:
  • The Kings Co-op Art and Design competition for the façade with Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and Queensland College of Art (QCA).
  • Public art opportunities within the precinct including Machinery Street incubator spaces and wall murals along the John Reid and Sugar Pavilions for students.
  • Participation in a research partnership with University of Queensland (UQ) on “the growing popularity of high and medium density housing in Brisbane and the factors that contribute to the success of such communities”.
  • The establishment of a Creative Co-op for Queensland University of Technology students to showcase their art and design products.
  • Partnered with Indigenous creative agency Gilimbaa and the Queensland College of Art to establish the Machinery Street Gallery.
  • The development of King Street Edible Gardens positions the Brisbane Showgrounds as a leader in the urban agriculture movement, setting a benchmark for Australia. Initiatives include:
  • A gardening club for workers and residents to learn about urban agriculture and help tend the herb and vegetable gardens that line King Street.
  • Cooking classes for the local community by Rydges Hotel Chefs and King Street retailers.
  • Rooftop beehives on apartments for community honey consumption.

Use Value
Design solutions have been considered in every aspect of the regeneration project. Kingsgate, the first commercial building in the redevelopment has achieved a Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) 6-star Green Star - Office Design V3 certificate rating. Additionally, the building and the surrounding landscaping considers the working agility of the future workforce. Outside rooms lining King Street and access to Wi-Fi allows business to operate freely outside the confines of a building.

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