Curtain Comes Up on Brisbane’s Regent Theatre Tower Redesign

It’s a longstanding hole in the heart of Brisbane’s CBD but apparently not for too much longer. Newly filed documents for ISPT’s approved 150 Elizabeth Street project—a mixed-use commercial tower rising 42 storeys—indicate it is due to begin initial works early next year. In a minor change application, the superannuation-backed fund manager and developer has let slip that it is “currently engaging builders to start early works/excavation in February, 2025”. Meanwhile, it continues to fine-tune the design details for the long-awaited redevelopment of the former Regent Theatre site. ISPT head of office, industrial, retail and mixed-use development Tom Waters says the latest design tweaks—including the addition of a grand staircase—will be transformative. “We believe the design will transform the Elizabeth Street frontage into a dynamic urban interface through a double-height activated space that engages the street at both ground and elevated lobby levels,” he says. “The grand staircase and escalators will draw pedestrians through the site, creating a fluid connection between Elizabeth and Queen streets.” ▲ A render of the reworked design for ISPT’s 150 Elizabeth mixed-use tower project in the heart of the Brisbane CBD. The tower project was given the final nod in June via negotiated decision and is part of a “precinct-wide integration and renewal” of ISPT’s consolidated 11,569sq m holding—including the Wintergarden, Zara and Hilton Hotel buildings—straddling Elizabeth Street and Queen Street Mall. It will fill a large void left behind from the demolition of the rear section of the Regent Theatre complex more than a decade ago. Only its ornately decorated and heritage-listed entrance hall and grand foyer fronting Queen Street Mall remain. But according to David Lee, a principal with architecture firm Woods Bagot, the reworked design “pays careful homage to the site’s rich history while introducing contemporary interventions”. “The Regent Theatre, a cornerstone of the precinct’s heritage, will be celebrated,” he says. “Its historical motifs will be subtly referenced throughout the new design, most notably in the vaulted ceiling of the lobby—a direct nod to the theatre’s architectural legacy.” As well, its historic remnants are slated to “form an important connection point through the site to the proposed development”. In July, after a competitive design review and pitch process, ISPT announced Woods Bagot had been selected as the masterplan architect for 150 Elizabeth Street. The latest proposed design changes are a a collaboration between Woods Bagot and Wardle, the architecture studio behind the approved tower design ▲ Proposed changes include the addition of an elevated lobby, a slight increase to the gross floor area and refinements to the podium facade. Rising above an eight-storey podium, the approved tower scheme comprises a gross floor area of more than 60,000sq m and will deliver 30 storeys of premium-grade office space. Its design also features three garden terraces across levels 9, 22 and the rooftop as well as a number of pocket gardens. A planning report submitted with the recent minor change application says it seeks “to incorporate a far stronger design outcome along the Elizabeth Street frontage and minor refinements to the overall building”. “The minor change will establish the design approach for the near-term renewal of the wider Wintergarden and Hilton precinct,” the report said. Among the proposed key changes is the inclusion of an elevated lobby through which the development will provide a publicly accessible cross-block link between Queen and Elizabeth streets. “The elevated lobby has been thoughtfully designed to allow for greater utilisation of the space, providing for a cafe, meeting rooms, concierge, and enhanced circulation areas, in addition to various public realm spaces of the lobby that can be enjoyed by all,” the application said. It also “facilitates an increased floor to ceiling height, opening the space to enhance light filtration and create a statement entrance”. “The improved lobby adopts a new ceiling design that reflects and celebrates the heritage elements of the Regent Theatre,” the documents said, adding that its doors at the Queens Street entrance will be held open “creating a permeable, heritage threshold between the old and the new”. Proposed changes to the podium facade also pay homage to the Regent Theatre, the application said. “The improved facade screen draws inspiration from the historic building facades once present along Elizabeth Street, particularly referencing the rear of the Regent Theatre building. ▲ The proposed new entry from Elizabeth Street and elevated lobby are key design changes. Under the current approval, green walls and planters were incorporated to soften the built form edges and screen podium carparking as well as areas that were unable to be fully activated. However, these elements have been removed in the reworked design in favour of “a more intentional focus on meaningful activation, creating dynamic and engaging street frontages”. Other proposed modifications to the approved design include the consolidation of end-of-trip facilities within the basement and ground levels to provide additional bicycle parking and lockers. Several minor changes also are proposed to the approved built form, including a marginal increase to the gross floor area and amendments to the carparking layout with a slightly reduced number of vehicle spaces. ISPT’s evolving vision for 150 Elizabeth Street is touted to “breathe new life into the centre of Brisbane’s CBD … forming the catalyst to commence the revitalisation and urban regeneration within the city block limits of Albert, Elizabeth, Edward and Queen streets”. “The precinct’s prominence is furthering the intent of the heart of the central business district as Brisbane and south-east Queensland’s premier retail, entertainment and working destination,” the documents said. You are currently experiencing The Urban Developer Plus (TUD+), our premium membership for property professionals. Click here to learn more.

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