There has been a lot of talk about Brisbane’s much anticipated Queen’s Wharf. However, it seems this is only one of many new and vibrant changes in store for Brisbane. Another major project on the cards is The Howard Smith Wharves development.

 Recent plans have revealed that the new $100 million Howard Smith Wharves redevelopment, going under the Story Bridge, is set to include a boutique art-themed hotel, parkland and two lifts up the cliff face. For Brisbane, plans for these two milestone developments spell far more than a fancy facelift for the city, they are complete game changers – especially when it comes to real estate.

How so, you might be asking. Well to delve further we need to break it down into two phases – “during development” and “post development”. Let’s first take a look at the former:

During development

Whilst these major developments are underway, both projects are expected to provide a significant boost to Brisbane’s local economy.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk recently said that the Queen’s Wharf Development (alone) would pull in more than one million tourists to south-east Queensland over the coming years. She also said the project would create 2000 construction jobs and 8000 operational jobs.

Now, let us take a look at the Howard Smith Wharves development, Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said that this will create more than 200 jobs during the construction phase and more than 400 permanent jobs, providing an important boost to the local economy.

As a result of creating significantly more jobs, Brisbane will likely see an influx in the number of tenants looking to live in the CBD (where they now work). Fantastic news for local investors!

Post development

Now let us look at post development, this is potentially the real gamer changer. When you combine both uniquely sophisticated redevelopments – the Queen’s Wharf and Howard Smith Wharves - suddenly Brisbane is up there rivalling Melbourne as one of the more cosmopolitan cities on offer here in Australia.

But do not just take our word for it. Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said the Howard Smith Wharves redevelopment taking place on the 3.43-hectare site would deliver a "world-class waterfront destination" that would enhance Brisbane's reputation.

Further advocating this, the boutique accommodation in the new Howard Smith Wharves redevelopment is set to be run by Art Series Hotel Group. Marketing director or Art Series Hotel Group, Ryan Tuckerman, said they dedicate each property to one single Australian artist, so each of the properties that are already in existence – there are six already – all of them are named after and celebrate one individual artist.

“That artist's career is reflected through the whole property, from the colour palette to the artworks that are displayed in the rooms.

"So it's almost like it's not only a boutique hotel, but it's also an art gallery as well."

Mr Tuckerman said Art Series Hotel Group had been admittedly "Melbourne-centric" prior to its expansion into Adelaide last year but that they are really looking forward to being up in Brisbane.

"There's very much a cultural arts scene up there."

Overall Tuckerman said the proposed development will deliver a five-star, 164-room Art Series Hotel which will add to the company’s world-class tourism offering, as well as regenerating this historically significant city centre site.

In addition to the hotel, a 1500-square-metre exhibition space will be used to host events such as cultural and food festivals.

New cultural spaces, boutique hotels and overall a more cosmopolitan lifestyle, Brisbane is on the verge of very exciting times ahead.

With 2016 on our doorstep, there is a lot for buyers and investors to get excited about in the New Year here in Brisbane and, as always, we are only too happy to help. Why not make an appointment with Hannah on 0419 782 133 to find out how your investment can grow as these new changes unfold.