For the first time in 15 years, Brisbane’s Queen Street Mall is set to be expanded, with Albert Street undergoing a major renewal as part of the Cross River Rail project.
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, Brisbane City Council confirmed in a statement.
Stage one works will get underway next month, when two new footpath dining sections will open between Elizabeth and Charlotte streets, offering fresh spaces for outdoor dining and entertainment just in time for summer.
The remaining expansion will 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 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.
“Queen Street Mall is a major economic engine for our city and a must-visit destination for locals and visitors alike,” said City Planning Chair, Councillor Adam Allan.
“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.
“We’re committed to making must-do destinations like Queen Street Mall and across our suburbs even better to continue showcasing our fantastic lifestyle.”
The project marks a key step towards delivering a direct, walkable link between Roma Street Parkland and the City Botanic Gardens.
With the new underground Albert Street Station set to open as part of Cross River Rail, pedestrian activity and local business growth are expected to surge.
“Not only will the first new train station in the CBD in more than 120 years help people get home sooner at the end of the day, it is also helping to reshape the city and improve liveability,” said Cross River Rail Delivery Authority CEO, Graeme Newton.
“Significant progress is being made on the new Albert Street station, including the installation of all the underground station’s escalators and construction beginning on the station’s massive 153-tonne canopy.
“With the canopy construction taking place above the public realm works, the Albert Street precinct is transforming before our eyes.
“We thank the local community and businesses for their patience as work continues on this exciting new chapter for Brisbane.”
Queen Street Mall was first opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1982, ahead of the Commonwealth Games and grew in popularity during Expo 88. Major refurbishments followed in 1999 and 2007, with Burnett Lane refurbished and incorporated into the Mall in 2009 and Reddacliff Place in 2010.
Four decades later, Queen Street Mall remains one of Australia’s most popular pedestrian malls. Recent openings, including Country Road in the heritage-listed Bank building and Wendy’s on Adelaide Street, have added even more for shoppers and diners to enjoy.
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.
