Mister Brisbane: Downtown downturn?
Has the death of the CBD been greatly exaggerated? Or are we over it?
Just as video didn’t kill the radio star*, suburban shopping centres didn’t kill the CBD.
But maybe COVID has. Anecdotal reports have it that people are slowly returning to work in the centre of Brisbane. But will the number of office workers ever get to where is was two years ago, let alone continue to grow?
Will the centre of Brisbane be better known as a place of residence rather than a place of work? Or, heavens forbid, will it decay and become dangerous, as has happened elsewhere in the world?
I know that all this been said before, and the CBD has always bounced back. But you don’t have to look too far to see example of deserted or repurposed inner-urban areas.
When I was in the city of Townsville recently, I posted some photos on social media and somebody asked where all the people were. I posited a guess that they didn’t come out in the middle of a hot summer’s day — but a friend who lives there told me that they don’t come out at all. Not in the CBD, at least.
Could that be the same here in Brisbane soon?
Let me know what you think!
SPUN OUT
I’m not so great with heights, so it really doesn’t affect me one way or the other … but why does Brisbane no longer have a revolving restaurant? Are they just passe, and thus there’s no demand for a “view while you eat experience”, or is there just no appropriate building? I know they are usually in towers, but the one I remember was Images nightclub/restaurant at the top of the SGIO-now-Suncorp Building.
If online sources are to be believed, the closest to Brisbane is the Four Winds on the Gold Coast.
VALLEY REVAMP
I love the Valley, so I’m glad to hear that there will soon be a new place to live there, and even more facilities for those who choose to do so.
This week saw the official launch of Brunswick and Co. The “build-to-rent” development will have 366 studio and one-bedroom apartments across 25 levels, and will include retail space, a rooftop swimming pool, dog park, coworking space, cocktail bar and other amenities.
They sent me this picture of Frasers Property CEO Anthony Boyd, State Communities and Housing Minister Leeanne Enoch, State Treasurer Cameron Dick, State Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace and Hutchinson Builders Chairman Scott Hutchinson turning the first sod, which coincided with Monday’s downpour.
CALL ME A BUS
Is on-demand public transport the next big thing? Translink, which oversees trains, buses and boats in south-east Queensland, has just launched a shared transport service that is bookable by mobile phone. Think of it as an Uber but not quite as personal, flexible or expensive.
It’s a two-year trial for people living in the Pacific Pines and Nerang/Highland Park areas of the northern Gold Coast.
Also in the works is the phasing out of the Go Card thanks to long-overdue machines that can read and debit fares from your bank account.
PARDON MY PAUSE
Mister Brisbane is (probably) taking a break in April while I head overseas for a break and to research material for my new project, By Road, Rail, Air and Sea, which is a newsletter and blog that can be found at BRRAAS.com.
If you like what you see, subscribe for free and get regular bulletins with travel news that may help you choose your next holiday, plus access to extras on the website.
The next Mister Brisbane missive should pop into your inbox and on the website in late April or very early May. As the year goes on, I will be adding value to the Mister Brisbane brand, and presenting it from a new perspective, so please stick around for that.
*Give me a shout-out if you’re reading this, James C.
POSTSCRIPT
We all need help sometimes. If you feel overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to see a medical professional, phone a friend or family member or contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. If you don’t feel like speaking, Lifeline also offers crisis support by SMS on 0477 13 11 14.