This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
THE masterplan of the $150 million overhaul of the Ipswich city centre has been revealed, and includes retail riverfront hospitality area and a number of retail spaces.
Council-owned Ipswich City Properties is developing the eight-hectare project, which will have more than 19,000 sqm of commercial, retail, entertainment and food and beverage space as the population is tipped to double to 400,000 by 2031.
Demolition works on the site began in March, and are expected to end in June, with construction beginning shortly afterwards.
“Our new city centre could not come at a better time with our population expected to double in the next decade and the $5 billion Rheinmetall Defence contract recently awarded by the Federal Government set to trigger an influx of workers to the region,” Ipswich City Properties chair, Paul Tully said.
A new Ipswich City Council administration is expected to bring 800 workers into the city centre every day by 2020, while anew glass-fronted library of 3,400 sqm will front the main civic promenade, and more than 10,000 sqm will be used as open public space.
“Once again, we will have a view towards the Bremer River from Brisbane Street, creating a more connected city centre where people can move seamlessly between the train station, Ipswich Central and River Heart Parkland,” Councillor Tully said.
Local icon Murphy’s Pub is being restored to reflect its 1910 heritage, and will take on its original name The Commonwealth Hotel.
The car park of more than 1,100 spaces will remain in Ipswich Central, offering over 1,100 spaces.
Australian Property Journal
