A NEW LEASE ON LIFE MAIN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY : Hutchinson Builders ARCHITECT : Woods Bagot and SJB Architects STRUCTURAL ENGINEER : ADG Engineers CONSTRUCTION VALUE : $109 million
The historic Howard Smith Wharves site on the Brisbane River has been transformed to a world class riverside precinct with more than 3.4 hectares of public open space, a 166-room Art Series Hotel, exhibition and events centre, a craft brewery, and dining options. The project also included the full restoration and transformation of the existing heritage buildings and wharf for the new landmark entertainment precinct. The Howard Smith Wharves Revitalisation project has transformed the last parcel of undeveloped land in Brisbane’s CBD into a world class waterside entertainment precinct. The historic 3.4 hectare site, spread along almost a kilometre of the Brisbane River connects the New Farm riverwalk to the city and includes a full restoration and transformation of the existing buildings and wharves.
and 33 employee bike spaces. 30,000m² of landscaping includes a 6m wide path, mass plantings and olive gardens as well as a cycle way with 50 bike parking spaces for visitors. Two glass lifts provide access to and from Bowen Terrace, at the top of the cliffs, to the wharves precinct.
Hutchinson Builders has set a new standard of urban renewal with contemporary structures that are uniquely adapted to the landforms while retaining and enhancing the historic significance of the existing architecture.
The 5 Star rated hotel is a 6-storey building with function rooms, pool and gym. The brief for the 166-room Art Series Hotel dedicated to Australian artist Vincent Fantauzzo, specified a façade that would blend in with the cliff face by incorporating natural tones and textures. The hotel sports a uniquely jagged façade that mimics the cliffs’ surface to provide a simple backdrop to the revitalised heritage buildings in front.
The D&C contract awarded to Hutchies in July 2017 involved the development of the precinct with the construction of a 1,500m² events centre with viewing decks, a craft brewery and an overwater bar as well as the restoration of the old wharf buildings. Under the convention centre is a 300m long single storey basement with parking for 359 cars
“There were many onsite issues beginning with the geology. We were expecting Brisbane Tuff but found the extent and hardness of the rock foundation insufficient. We redesigned the piles and shotcrete walls that would support the cantilevered walkway and the basement. We used the lightweight solution of precast hollow core planks as a deck for the
194 QLD PROJECT FEATURE THE HOWARD SMITH WHARVES REVITALISATION
AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL CONSTRUCTION REVIEW
