The Queen Street Mall expansion down Brisbane’s Albert Street will beginning opening next month.
Brisbane City Council Planning Chair Adam Allan said the major renewal, undertaken as part of the Cross River Rail project, would be the mall’s first extension in more than 15 years.
“Following the success of Brisbane’s much-loved lifestyle precincts – including Howard Smith Wharves, South Bank, West Village and Fish Lane – Queen Street Mall will soon extend along Albert Street between Elizabeth and Mary Streets, creating another pedestrian-friendly destination that celebrates Brisbane’s outdoor lifestyle,” Cr Allan said.
He said stage one would commence in December, when two new footpath dining sections would open between Elizabeth and Charlotte streets, offering fresh spaces for outdoor dining and entertainment.
Cr Allan said the remaining expansion would follow in stages over the coming months, including retail, dining and activations between Elizabeth and Charlotte streets and a final stage between Charlotte and Mary streets.
“The local community and businesses will be given plenty of notice of these staged openings well in advance.”
He said the staged openings form part of a new public plaza being delivered outside the new Albert Street underground station, featuring a tree-lined walkway and new seating options.
“This project marks a key step towards delivering a direct, walkable link between Roma Street Parkland and the City Botanic Gardens.”
Cr Allan said with the new underground Albert Street Station set to open as part of Cross River Rail, pedestrian activity and local business growth was expected to surge.
“Queen Street Mall is a major economic engine for our city and a must-visit destination for locals and visitors alike,” he said.
“Expanding the mall into Albert Street will help us to deliver more to see and do for visitors and residents, who are already flocking to our CBD in droves.
Fast Facts
- Queen Street Mall was first opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1982, ahead of the Commonwealth Games.
- Major refurbishments were undertaken in 1999 and 2007, with Burnett Lane refurbished and incorporated into the Mall in 2009 and Reddacliff Place in 2010.
- In October, an average of more than 220,000 pedestrians passed through the Mall each day, with July recording the highest daily average this year at over 248,000.
- Albert Street traders will be incorporated into the Queen Street Mall Central Area Plan in the 2026/27 financial year.
- Pipeline projects expected to boost foot traffic in the Queen Street Mall:
- Griffith University is converting the heritage listed Treasury Building into a new CBD campus.
- The Hilton Hotel rebranding as the luxury Intercontinental Brisbane and will start a refurbishment program to enhance its offering.
- ISPT’s plans to redevelop the Wintergarden into a vibrant precinct ahead of the 2032 Games.
- Charter Hall’s plan to transform the former St George Bank site at the top of the Queen Street Mall into a modern tower with streetscape activation.
- The earmarked revitalisation of Uptown
- Future events expected to boost foot traffic in the Queen Street Mall:
- The return of the Australian PGA Championships in November 2025.
- Second Ashes Test in Brisbane in December 2025.
- The Brisbane International in January 2026.
- Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo will perform in Brisbane for the first time ever in February 2026, with four spectacular performances.
- Major acts including Ed Sheeran, Lady Gaga, Rufus Du Sol, and AC/DC.
