Star Entertainment Group’s long-awaited AU$3.6 billion Queen’s Wharf Brisbane development, The Star Brisbane, has welcomed its first guests after opening the first phase of its multi-phased launch on Thursday.
The launch saw barricades at the newly constructed Neville Bonner Bridge removed and nearby William Street opened to the public for the first time in eight years, with 5-star hotel The Star Grand welcoming its first check-in guests from 10am. The hotel is fully booked for the first four days with forward holdings into September and through to December exceeding expectations, Star said.
The Star Brisbane’s main gaming floor, comprising around 5% of the property’s total floor space, opened at 2pm along with some premium gaming space, with other facilities coming online including the 1,440-seat ballroom, the Sports Bar and around half-a-dozen restaurants.
“This is a momentous day for Brisbane, the state and our almost 3,000 hard-working team members,” said The Star Brisbane CEO, Daniel Finch.
“We are thrilled to officially welcome Brisbane and indeed the world to this highly anticipated and game-changing tourism and entertainment precinct.
“This is day one of the first phase of a multi-phased opening that will offer something new and exciting for locals and visitors to enjoy and experience every time they return.
“Once fully operational, The Star Brisbane and broader Queen’s Wharf precinct are expected to attract approximately 1.4 million additional visitors to Queensland each year as we quickly approach the 2032 Brisbane Games.”
Anthony Ryan, CEO of the Brisbane Economic Development Agency, added, “The Queen’s Wharf precinct is a game-changer that will transform Brisbane’s skyline and supercharge the region’s AU$10.6 billion visitor economy.
“In addition to new world-class hotels, event venues and a stunning riverside precinct, this landmark development will further catapult Brisbane’s reputation on the world stage as a must-do destination. Brisbane’s global popularity as a city to live, work, visit and invest is taking the world by storm. The addition of Queen’s Wharf just adds another compelling reason why Brisbane is the new hero of Queensland tourism.”
The Queen’s Wharf Brisbane development is a joint venture project owned 50% by Star and 25% each by Hong Kong-listed firms Chow Tai Fook Enterprises and Far East Consortium.