Regent Tower proposal resurfaces
The theatre was demolished in indecent haste a decade ago. Then nothing. Now this...
It’s no secret that I’ve been very vocal over many years about the fate of Brisbane’s Regent Theatre. Back in the early 2000s, when the demolition crew were circling, along with others I made the case that this one-of-a-kind venue — the last remnant of Brisbane’s “Broadway district” — should be restored to its former glory.
Others, apparently, believed it should be knocked down to build an office tower. Well, they did knock it down. Thankfully the Heritage-listed foyer was spared, and it’s still hanging on.
But the office tower was never built. And that’s because it was never a good idea. Even back then, it was hard to determine any demand for more office space in the CBD.
(As some suggested at the time, perhaps the only real plan was to get rid of the theatre box so it wouldn’t be tangible reminder of what had been and could be again.)
Nevertheless, as the Brisbane Times has reported this week, developer ISPT has submitted fresh plans for a 42-floor office building on the site.
I could understand it if they were proposing a hotel or an apartment building — perhaps in partnership with government to help tackle the critical shortage of affordable homes — but there is still no demand for a new office tower.
For various reasons, including the work-from-home trend that’s ever-gaining pace, there’s a glut of office space in the city right now. I know this to be true because I’ve seen empty space first-hand, and I know of businesses that have struck great rental deals simply because they are spoiled for choice.
So, the only world in which this proposal would make some kind of twisted sense is if we accept a capitalism-on-steroids situation where the remaining business tenants will be moved from perfectly serviceable older (but not old) buildings into shiny new towers whether they want to go or not.
Presumably the older buildings will then be demolished and the cycle will start again, for no other reason than developers gotta develop.
If I can’t stop “progress”, can I at least suggest they restore the old theatre as part of any other plans they might have for the site?
Disclosure: I curate a Save the Regent Facebook group, which you are most welcome to visit.
DOTTY DECISION
Speaking of the Brisbane Times, I believe I’m not the first nor only person to question its new masthead design that for no apparent reason incorporates two blue dots. Some have suggested it’s a hint to the title’s ownership by the Nine Network, but it’s seven dots short of a full logo.
Can anybody explain why it won’t join the ranks of design infamy alongside the former Suncorp logo (which a friend described as a “drooping phallus”) or Peter Beattie’s short-lived attempt to jazz up the Queensland state emblem?
I really like the product — Brisbane Times has come into its own lately as a credible news source and fresh voice for this city — but I’ll give the blue colon 12 months.
SHIP TO SHORE
I’m setting off on a cruise late in October, leaving from Brisbane’s newish and very functional — but impossible to get to by public transport — International Cruise Terminal. I’m very much looking forward to sailing on Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas, a big ship that can carry more than 5,000 passengers.
Of course, not everybody on board will be a Brisburbian, so the company is offering tours of the city as part of its excursion program.
Basically, it’s a post-disembarkation trip to the airport, the long way round. For $112.01, discounted at the moment to $91.51 (the odd amounts are presumably because Royal Caribbean normally charges in US dollars), it includes a driving tour of the CBD, a trip up Mt Coot-tha to the Botanic Gardens and lookout, and then back down to QAGOMA before drop-off at BNE.
What do you make of the trip and the itinerary? Where would you take visitors to get a taste of Brisbane?
