Brisbane will be viewed from a different perspective tonight, with the new Sky Deck viewing platform opening at 5pm, as Queen’s Wharf pulls back the curtains.
The Sky Deck is one of four public areas accessible as part of the $3.6 billion integrated resort’s staged opening from today.
Other public areas ready to embrace the crowds are the Neville Bonner Bridge, sections of the upgraded Bicentennial Bikeway and Miller Park.
The Star Brisbane Chief Executive Officer Daniel Finch said all Queenslanders were invited to be part of the history-making opening.
“This is a momentous day for Brisbane, the state and our almost 3000 hard-working team members,” Mr Finch said.
He said The Star Brisbane, the cornerstone of the Queen’s Wharf precinct, had welcomed its first visitors, heralding a new era of tourism and entertainment in Queensland.
“The first phase of a multi-phased opening commenced overnight with the removal of barricades to the Neville Bonner Bridge and the first of an expected 10,000 pedestrian crossings a day traversed the new cross river connector.”
Mr Finch said William St, closed for almost eight years, had re-opened to the public with a dedicated taxi and uber drop-off location and was ready for a return of vehicles, buses and pedestrians.
“A lift installed between William Street and Queen’s Wharf Road at the beautified Miller Park will also provide increased public accessibility.”
Mr Finch said 340 luxury hotel rooms had been added to Brisbane’s accommodation inventory, with the first guests checking-in to the signature 5-star riverfront hotel The Star Grand from 10am this morning.
“The hotel is fully booked for the first four days with forward holdings into September and through to December exceeding expectations.”
Mr Finch said the eagerly awaited public access to the Sky Deck, 100m above the Brisbane River with views from the CBD to Moreton Bay and Mt Coot-tha and featuring a glass bottom observation deck would open from 5pm, with sunset cocktails also on offer from sky-high hero bar Cicada Blu.
“With high demand expected controlled access will be in place to ensure public safety.”
He said a suite of culinary and entertainment offerings would also entice as part of the day one roll-out including cutting-edge Japanese restaurant Sokyo, a reimagined Fat Noodle, Sports Bar, Cherry, LiveWire and Food Quarter.
“The gaming floors, which comprise just five percent of the Queen’s Wharf Brisbane precinct will open at 2pm.”
Mr Finch said the opening weekend coincided with the Dolphins v Broncos NRL game and “Brisbane’s biggest party, Brisbane Festival” with the transformed grassed public areas along the river including The Landing and Finger Wharves to open after Riverfire celebrations.
“This is day one of the first phase of a multi-phased opening that will offer something new and exciting for locals and visitors to enjoy and experience every time they return.”
Mr Finch said once fully operational, The Star Brisbane and broader Queen’s Wharf precinct were expected to attract approximately 1.4 million additional visitors to Queensland each year.
Tourism and Events Queensland CEO and Queen’s Wharf Brisbane Marketing and Event Committee Chair Patricia O’Callaghan said the opening of the Queen’s Wharf development would forever mark a moment in Brisbane’s history where a truly inspiring vision had come to life.
“Our city skyline is forever enhanced by this incredible precinct, positioning Brisbane as a genuinely global city and benefitting every business and resident of our stunning city,” Ms O’Callaghan said.
“The quintessentially Queensland experiences across accommodation, entertainment, events, conferences, retail and dining that Queen’s Wharf adds to our already exceptional offering and will no doubt be a huge drawcard for visitors, being a huge contributor to our industry’s 2032 goal to make tourism a $44 billion industry for the state.”
Brisbane Economic Development Agency CEO Anthony Ryan said the Queen’s Wharf precinct was a game-changer that would transform Brisbane’s skyline and supercharge the region’s $10.6 billion visitor economy.
“In addition to new world-class hotels, event venues and a stunning riverside precinct, this landmark development will further catapult Brisbane’s reputation on the world stage as a must-do destination,” Mr Ryan said.
“Brisbane’s global popularity as a city to live, work, visit and invest is taking the world by storm. The addition of Queen’s Wharf just adds another compelling reason why Brisbane is the new hero of Queensland tourism.”
Areas to open on day one:
- Public Areas: Neville Bonner Bridge, sections of the upgraded Bicentennial Bikeway, Miller Park, Sky Deck viewing platform.
- The Star Grand: 340 hotel rooms including four penthouses, Sokyo restaurant (Japanese), hotel lobby bar.
- Event Centre: 1440 seat ballroom with pre-function bar, outdoor terrace and views to the Story Bridge.
- Level Five & Six: LiveWire, Sports Bar, Fat Noodle (South-East Asian), Food Quarter, Cherry, Main Casino Floor and Premium Gaming Rooms.
Areas to open progressively from day one:
- The Terrace Dining, Level Four: restaurants will open progressively during first phase.
- Three hotel pools including two infinity edged pools and pool bar.
- Leisure Deck on Level Seven.
- Five hectares of public space along the riverline.
Areas to open progressively as part of the next phase of a multi-staged opening:
- Dorsett and Rosewood hotel tower.
- Velo Café end of trip facility.
- Luxury Retail destinations.
- Heritage buildings: Activated with experiences, retail and food & beverage
