The Parklands is an industrial site that is slated to be sold for commercial development.
World Expo 88 breathes new life into the Parklands and showcases its potential as prime, public space. Expo 88 drew over 18 million local and international visitors. Photo: view over Victoria Bridge to World Expo 88. Credit: Brisbane City Council.
South Bank Corporation is formed after the Queensland Government decides not to sell the Parklands to commercial buyers but rather, develop it as public open space.
Photo: South Bank under construction circa 1990 — Credit: State Library of Queensland.
The 17-hectare parklands precinct officially opens to the public. Key features of the Parklands include extensive green space, beach and the Nepalese Pagoda.
The Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre officially opens on 6 June, 1995.
South Bank's first residential building, Park Avenue Apartments is completed.
South Bank's underground car park is officially opened by former Premier, The Hon. Peter Beattie. The car park has over 800 parking spaces and is conveniently located in the heart of the South Bank precinct.
The multi-award winning one kilometre Arbour is completed.
South Bank's first major commercial high-rise (Thiess Building) opens on Grey Street.
Little Stanley Street is created.
In August, South Bank Corporation and Denton Corker Marshall Architecture awarded the Queensland state award for Civic Design by the Royal Australian Institute of Architects for the South Bank Masterplan and Arbour.
In November, South Bank Arbour and South Bank Masterplan receive the prestigious Australia Award for Urban Design at the Australian Urban Design Awards, convened by the Planning Institute of Australia.
The Goodwill Bridge officially opens allowing the public easy access between Brisbane's northern and southern river banks.
The South Bank precinct receives both the Premier and Urban Renewal Awards from the Urban Institute of Australia Queensland.
Little Stanley Street's first commercial retailers begin trading.
The Corporation is awarded the Queensland Excellence in Urban Design Award for the South Bank precinct by the Royal Australian Institute of Architects.
The first stage of Arbour on Grey is completed in September.
The Royal Australian Institute of Architects awards 'Brisbane Building of the Year' to Beach Bridge.
The final stage of Arbour on Grey opens.
In April, South Bank Corporation wins the national Urban Design (built) award for its South Bank Masterplan Redevelopment from the Royal Australian Planning Institute.
The Royal Australian Institute of Architects (Qld) presents South Bank Corporation with the state Urban Design award for the Goodwill Bridge.
South Bank Corporation is highly commended in the Urban Design category for the Goodwill Bridge at the national Royal Australian Institute of Architects Awards.
South Bank precinct wins 'Shopping Centre of the Year' (best neighbourhood centre – under 10,000 square metres) at the Property Council of Australia Queensland Retail Awards.
Galleria Apartments opens bringing over 60 new residential units to South Bank.
In June, 16,000 Rotarians converge on South Bank for the 2003 Rotary International Convention held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre. South Bank hosted a public welcome of cultural dance, music and fireworks events.
In August, two South Bank restaurants win major awards at the Restaurant and Catering Queensland Awards (Brisbane) Little Stanley Street's Ahmet's Turkish Restaurant was named Best Themed Restaurant for the second year running and Wang Dynasty won best Chinese Restaurant. The Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre won four of the five catering awards.
In August South Bank's Indigenous Employment Project won Employment (medium) category in the 2003 Queensland Reconciliation Awards for Business.
South Bank Retail won an Australian Marketing Institute Award for New Product/ Service Category for its "Free Parking when you Dine" promotion.
South Bank Retail won the Property Council Australia's 2003 Queensland Shopping Centre of the Year Award in the Neighbourhood Centres under 10,000 square metres gross lettable area in the retail category. Little Stanley Street was awarded runner up in the same category.
The Catalano family, owners of the Hawthorne and Balmoral Cinemas, opened the South Bank 5 Cinema Complex in the former IMAX building.
In March, national ice-cream manufacturer, Streets, was announced naming rights sponsor of South Bank's man-made beach, to be named Streets Beach, following a three year partnership agreement.
South Bank was named the best public sector development in the world for 2004 at the FIABCI Prix d'Excellence held in May, which are the world's most prestigious real estate awards.
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Little Stanley Street wins the Property Council of Australia's Queensland award for Best Neighbourhood and Strip Centre under 10,000sqm.
Southern entry works were officially opened by former Premier of Queensland, The Hon. Peter Beattie. The Southern entry works comprised the extension of the Arbour to Vulture Street and upgrade to Memorial Park.
The CGU Building officially opened in Grey Street.
In April, former Premier, The Hon. Peter Beattie announced a new interactive water play park would be built at South Bank.
Also in April, The Ship Inn re-opened after extensive renovation works.
South Bank restaurant, Ahmet's Turkish Restaurant, won Best Entertainment Restaurant at the Brisbane Restaurant and Caterer's Awards in August.
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The Formal Gardens were redesigned using Australian native plants.
In a remarkable world first, the International Union of Forest Research Organisations held its World Congress in Brisbane. As part of the congress a traditional tree planting ceremony was held in August to mark the opening and involved an extremely old and rare Wollemi Pine. Dating back over 200 million years the Wollemi Pine is one of the world's oldest trees and was thought to be extinct until 1994 when it was discovered at an unnamed location on Sydney's outskirts. At this time, this was the only Wollemi Pine available for display in Brisbane.
Botanical signage was installed throughout the South Bank Parklands in September.
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South Bank's reputation as a world-class precinct continued to receive international recognition. The International Downtown Association announced that South Bank Corporation won a 2005 Merit Award in the Public Space category. The International Downtown Association is an American based organisation that recognises and supports vital and liveable urban centres throughout the world.
In January, the Saville Hotel South Bank opened (now Mantra South Bank).
Public consultation commenced for the South Bank Transit site in February that would become the three-tower Southpoint development.
March saw the completion of the Glenelg Street upgrade.
South Bank Corporation launched an Expressions of Interest campaign in June to develop the largest available site within the South Bank precinct (Southpoint).
South Bank was the live site for the Soccer World Cup Australia v Italy knockout match, also in June.
In July, South Bank Corporation approved national engineering and construction company Abigroup's plans for a three-storey development on the former Butterfly House site located in the heart of South Bank.
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South Bank was identified as part of the city frame in the Brisbane City Council's City Centre Master Plan.
The Expression of Interest campaign for sites 9A and 9B and Collins Place at South Bank closed on July 28 and generated an unprecedented response. More submissions were received for the site (to be named Southpoint) than any other previous development offering at South Bank.
Parking became easier at South Bank with the launch of the Parking Guidance System in September; a joint initiative between South Bank Corporation, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre and the Corporate Administration Agency (QPAC and Queensland Museum). The Parking Guidance System reports accurate, real-time car park space availability to motorists intending to use the major car parks within the South Bank Precinct.
Former Premier The Hon. Peter Beattie unveiled the winning bid by Anthony John Group to develop Southpoint on sites 9A, 9B and heritage listed Collins Place, the largest remaining development site at South Bank.
South Bank Corporation appointed experienced market operator Blue Sky Events to reinvigorate its popular craft markets.
The Corporation took advantage of Little Stanley Street's strong retail growth and in October, purchased Mirvac's remaining 35% interest in the retail tenancies.
While the State was experiencing unprecedented drought conditions, South Bank led the way in Brisbane's push to reduce water consumption with the Corporation reducing local city water use by more than 25 per cent in 2006.
In December, former Premier Peter Beattie and then Treasurer Anna Bligh jointly announced the Government would spend $3.4 million on design work for a new construction phase to expand the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Two SW1 towers are completed.
The new South Bank Lifestyle Markets are launched.
A new water play facility, Aquativity opened in March. The $5 million water education and play park, redeveloped from an under-utilised bush stream playground near Streets Beach, is an exciting celebration of Brisbane and its defining feature, the Brisbane River.
A number of solar-powered parking meters were installed in Little Stanley and Grey Streets to assist with the management of traffic and allow better customer access to retailers.
Construction commenced on Abigroup's redevelopment of the former Butterfly House site. The redevelopment is designed to activate both the Stanley Street Plaza and Little Stanley Street, with access from both frontages also improving public space.
In December a four-week public consultation program commenced for the Southpoint project on the corners of Vulture, Grey and Tribune Streets at South Bank. The project will see the development of a mixed-use area in the precinct that will include a hotel, commercial A-grade office space and residential apartments.
Installation of three 47,000 litre water tanks to hold recycled water for Parkland irrigation. The Parkland's total capacity is now 285,000 litres. Also in December, South Bank commenced the installation of new bins, including separate recycling bins, starts in the Parklands.
In January, former Queensland Premier The Hon. Anna Bligh, announced two major projects: the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre expansion and stormwater harvesting project. The stormwater harvesting project will provide an alternative water supply source for the maintenance of the Parklands and reduce its reliance on potable and purchased recycled water currently being transported in.
SW1 two residential apartment projects complete.
Early works on the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre expansion commenced. The expansion activates Grey Street, links the centre with South Bank Parklands and brings a new public space offering a mix of retail and shopping experiences. Upon completion, the expansion will provide an additional 42 per cent in event space with 18 new meeting rooms, a large function room together with an extensive terrace area affording delegates stunning city and river views.
In December, former Queensland Premier The Hon. Anna Bligh, announced that the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) would be relocating its Queensland headquarters to South Bank.
In April, South Bank Corporation launched a new corporate website which later in the year, was recognised at the Web Marketing Association's WebAwards and awarded a Government Standard of Excellence award alongside a field of 32 international winners.
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Riverside Green and Rainforest Green received makeovers which included amenity upgrades, installation of new riverfront barbeques and Australia's first unisex change room for disabled visitors to Riverside Green.
Construction commenced on Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre's expansion project on Grey Street.
In December, former Premier of Queensland, The Hon. Anna Bligh, unveiled the designs for the Boardwalk and ABC developments.
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Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre celebrated 15 years of strong financial and operational success.
Construction commenced on the ABC's new headquarters in February by Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd and designed by Queensland architect Richard Kirk.
Construction commenced on River Quay, the precinct's premier waterfront dining destination. River Quay was designed by award-winning architects Arkhefield and landscape architects Cardno S.P.L.A.T.
In February, construction began on Rain Bank, South Bank's stormwater harvesting project.
During September, construction wraps up on SW1. The sustainable, mixed-use precinct incorporates commercial, retail and residential components and required six years of collaborative development and urban renewal to complete.
Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) staff begin moving into the new purpose-built ABC headquarters on the corner of Grey and Russell Streets.
South Bank is inundated by flooding from the Brisbane River. The flood waters travelled at 40 kilometres an hour engulfing Clem Jones Promenade. Waters peaked at approximately 2 metres on Wednesday, 13 January. Due to safety reasons, the Parklands were closed to the public on Tuesday, 12 January and were reopened on Tuesday, 19 January 2011. Photo credit: Brisbane City Council.
In February, the Corporation's 'Flood Off' campaign successfully drew visitors back to South Bank after the January floods.
April saw former Premier, The Hon. Anna Bligh officially open the Picnic Island Playground to the public.
Former Premier of Queensland, The Hon. Anna Bligh, officially opened River Quay Green and amphitheatre in June, which is the precinct's premier waterfront dining destination.
Post-flood renovations to Streets Beach were finalised in June and it was reopened to the public.
SW1 wins the Australia Award for Urban Design at the Australian Urban Design Awards, convened by the Planning Institute of Australia.
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South Bank was awarded Silver Benchmark status in August by EarthCheck, an international sustainability certification program for the travel and tourism industries.
In October, Rain Bank is officially opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Rain Bank provides 85% of the Parkland's irrigation and non-potable water needs and can recycle, treat and store up to 77 megalitres of stormwater each year.
SW1 wins the national accolade for 'Medium to Large Density Development' at the Urban Development Institute of Australia Awards. The award was presented jointly to South Bank Corporation and Property Solution Services.
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In November the first restaurants at River Quay, South Bank's premier waterfront dining destination begin trading.
Two CityCycle stations are installed in the precinct. The first was installed outside the Maritime Museum and the second outside the Queensland Conservatorium on Grey Street.
River Quay's architects, Arkefield win three major accolades at the Australian Institute of Architects Qld Awards. The awards comprise the Urban Design Award and Commercial Architecture Award for River Quay and the Interior Architecture Award for Stokehouse.
The major expansion of Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre officially opens on Grey Street.
Rydges Boulevard Expansion completed.
South Bank Corporation receives the Australia Award for Urban Design in the category of 'Delivered Outcome - Small Scale' for River Quay. The national awards are convened by the Planning Institute of Australia.
ABC Headquarters on Grey Street officially opened by former Governor-General Quentin Bryce.
Rain Bank wins the Business Eco-Efficiency award at the Premier's Sustainability Awards.
South Bank Corporation's Little Stanley Street Precinct awarded Excellence in Marketing by the Property Council of Australia (Qld).
On 1 July 2013, the Corporation contracted Brisbane City Council to undertake the management and marketing of the Parklands' green spaces. South Bank Corporation continues to be responsible for the precinct's commercial assets including the tenancies, BCEC and underground car park.
South Bank Corporation's River Quay awarded Excellence in Presentation by the Property Council of Australia (Qld).
River Quay is commended within the 'Great Place' category at the Planning Institute of Australia Awards for Excellence.
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South Bank Corporation awarded Retail Property of the Year by the Property Council of Australia (Qld).
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre hosts the G20 Leaders Summit — the largest event in scale and complexity ever held at BCEC. Twenty-seven world leaders, heads of eight international organisations and 2,500 of the world's leading business and political media were in attendance.
South Bank Corporation awarded Excellence in Food Retailing by the Property Council of Australia (Qld).
River Quay wins 'Excellence in Presentation' in the Neighbourhood & Strip Centres category at the Property Council of Australia's Queensland Retail Property Awards.
South Bank Corporation awarded Excellence in Marketing for its South Bank Concierge program by the Property Council of Australia (Qld).
The cutting-edge eatSouthBank interactive website is launched and is a revolutionary 'first-of-its-kind' online platform for an Australian collective dining precinct.
South Bank Corporation awarded Excellence in Marketing for eatSouthBank by the Property Council of Australia (Qld).
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South Bank Corporation awarded Retail Property of the Year by the Property Council of Australia (Qld).
Global advertising agency Y & R Group relocated its Brisbane headquarters to the former Abigroup House in December 2015.
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre announced 'World's Best Convention Centre' by the International Association of Congress Centres (AIPC) at their Annual General Assembly in Nantes, France (July 2016).
Construction of the global headquarters of Flight Centre is completed with more than 2,000 employees relocating into the new state-of-the-art premises in October 2016. Flight Centre is located within Anthony John Group's Southpoint development, completed in October 2018..
In late February, Anthony John Group opened the first stage of its expansive new retail plaza below the Flight Centre Tower which includes artisan fresh food market, Pantry on Grey.
In June, South Bank Corporation announced it would transform the ageing Arbour View Cafés precinct into an innovative pop-up creative space and performance venue for the community due for completion in late 2017.
South Bank Parklands' celebrated its 25th Birthday on June 20 and as a gift to millions of visitors each year, the vacant flood damaged riverfront restaurant building will be redeveloped into a new public space.
In September, South Bank Corporation wins an Excellence in Marketing award for its 'eatSouthBank Locals' campaign at the Property Council of Australia's Queensland Retail Property of the Year Awards.
Demolition of the former Riverside Restaurants commenced, and was completed in late December. The site is to be redeveloped into a new public space.
In January, South Bank Corporation launched Flowstate - an interim use open-air pavilion and creative space, repurposing the Arbour View Cafes precinct. A year long multi-arts program of free creative experiences is available for the community to enjoy.
Construction of the northern end of the Southpoint development - the Emporium Hotel, along with residential (Emporium Apartments and Emporium Residences) completed.
