Lifestyle leads revamp of Toowoomba CBD

The Toowoomba CBD landscape is undergoing extensive redevelopment, with major projects bringing with them a business boom of cafes, dining, retail and accommodation. Peak industry body Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise highlights five major proponents currently reshaping the CBD. Businessman Kenneth Wagner has turned his attention to redeveloping The Gladstone Hotel into a four-and-a-half-star high-rise hotel. Mr Wagner said the development would be a 100-room short stay accommodation complex, to be operated by an international hotel operator. A boutique restaurant and retail precinct will also form part of the development. “Construction is on track to begin mid-2017, with the hotel to be open by September 2018,” Mr Wagner said. “The development involves fully demolishing the current Gladstone Hotel site as well as the adjoining Phat Burgers building.” Spotted Cow owner Phil Coorey is also sharing his plans for the rooftop bar at the iconic former Westpac building at the corner of Margaret and Ruthven Sts, known as the Bank. Mr Coorey has also taken on the lease for the Mills Precinct with plans to host functions, weddings, festivals and pop-up events. The Burke and Wills Hotel is set to undergo a $10 million restoration that will see a complete internal and external redevelopment of the venue, with 15 five-star suites, 70 four-and-a-half-star hotel rooms, five function rooms, two restaurants and a bar. Hakfoort Group’s Albert Hakfoort will share plans for the project expected to be completed this year. The $500 million QIC Grand Central redevelopment will open Stage 2 to the public on March 29 with further progressive openings throughout the year. QIC’s Scott Douglas will share insight into the project. The development, which began in November 2014, will host up to 160 specialty retailers and bring an additional 2000 car parks in the CBD. Grand Central is the first commercial development extending over a rail line in Queensland since 1983. Construction of the site, that will nearly double in size to about 90,000sq metres, has been a source of huge anticipation to residents eager to hear what stores will open and explore the new development. The Knights Building and the Walton Stores are two key projects built by Newlands Group, with Barry O'Sullivan taking attendees at the Enterprise Evening through the next phase of the projects as well as its innovative designs. Mr O’Sullivan said Newlands Group had a current focus on the renewal of older buildings in the CBD, creating collaborative spaces with a range of business options including cafes and board rooms/offices, as seen by the range of offerings available at both sites.

Lifestyle leads revamp of Toowoomba CBD

Industry Queensland

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