From hole to whole: Queen’s Wharf tower tender announcement weeks away

 

Brisbane’s new $3.6 billion casino and resort complex is about to shift from excavation to construction.

The winning tender for the main construction of the resort’s podium, its Sky Deck and its hotel towers, key parts of the Queen’s Wharf development, will be announced in “four to six weeks”.

Geoff Hogg is managing director Queensland of the Star Entertainment Group, the lead partner in the Destination Brisbane consortium behind the Queens Wharf project.

“Somewhere in the next four to six weeks we will announce the successful tender who will start building the main core and shell of the Queen’s Wharf development,” he said.

That phase was almost complete, Mr Hogg said.

 

The Executive Building, the Neville Bonner Building and other government-owned buildings along George and William streets have been demolished.

“They are getting close to finishing the hole in the ground,” he said.

“There is a big milestone coming up in the middle of the year – June or July – when we will have taken all 450,000 cubic metres of soil and rock out.

“Most of it has gone out to the airport for the new Auto Mall.”

 

Mr Hogg said announcing the winning tender for the major construction work symbolised a shift in the Queen’s Wharf project from excavation towards construction.

“For us, that is a significant milestone because it means you can move away from the demolition and excavation stage to the phase, where they really start to build things,” he said.

 

Artist’s impression of the George Street frontage to the Queen Wharf resort complex.

Mr Hogg said initial foundation work would begin shortly, “but by the time we get to Christmas, the structure will be starting to be built”.

“By the middle of 2020 we are getting pretty close to being close to ground level with the car park being built,” he said.

 

Project Timeline.

2016 – Winning tender and design announced.

2017 – Demolition work begins.

 

Excavation on the Queen’s Wharf casino site below George Street.

CREDIT:

TONY MOORE

2018 – Site excavation and shoring works begin.

 

2019 – Excavation finishes, Mangrove Walk finishes, Waterline Park begins.

2020 – Construction of the main core of the Queens Wharf resort begins.

2021- Internal fit-out of the development finishes.

2022 – Major part of the development opens. This includes three of the hotels; the Star branded hotel, Dorsett and Rosewood.

 

What will be open in 2022?

Many of the 50 restaurants, bars and cafes will open, along with a significant increase in retail outlets.

Public spaces at The Landing, Waterline Park, the Sky Deck and foreshore area along the Brisbane River will be opened.

The “Brisbane Steps”, which lead from Queen’s Wharf Road up to William Street and through to the Atrium and George Street entrance, will be open.

 

What happens after 2023?

Star Entertainment Group will leave the Treasury Building at the top of the Queen Street Mall, where it now operates the Treasury Casino.

It will also leave the Land Administration Building between George and William streets, which is now the Treasury Hotel.

The Treasury Casino will become a retail centre, while the Treasury Hotel will become the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.

Source: https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/from-hole-to-whole-queen-s-wharf-tower-tender-announcement-weeks-away-20190410-p51crk.html