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Louis Vuitton Flagship Store Planned at Former NAB Queen Street Heritage Site

Good news for Brisbane shopaholics and fashionistas! Did you know that high-end fashion brand Louis Vuitton will soon open a new flagship store at the former National Australia Bank building on Queen Street?

According to the development application (DA A005719018), Place Design Group will do minor changes to the heritage-listed building but much of its facade and appearance will not be altered. There will be some markings on the front side in the form of branding or advertising the new tenancy.

Some walls on the basement level will be taken down to expand the floor area and create a spacious open plan. The mezzanine level, on the other hand, will be fitted with a glass balustrade to deliver a sophisticated shopping experience that many Louis Vuitton fans are so used to. Larry Weston Architect will help Place Design Group in the transformation.

Photo Credit: Developmenti/Brisbane City Council

“The proposal represents a great outcome for the City of Brisbane and the Queen Street Mall with a highly regarded global fashion house showing confidence in Brisbane’s retail sector which was has been significantly impacted by the COVID 19 virus,” the developers said.

Country Road was the tenant of the said building for many years. Constructed in the late 1920s, this structure has a neo-classical design which was common to bank buildings during this period.

With this new occupancy, Louis Vuitton will give up its prominent site on the corner of Edward and Queen Streets but there’s no news on what establishment will take over the soon-to-be-vacant property.

It comes as Louis Vuitton invested $11 million to refurbish its flagship store on George Street in 2018.

The Million Paws Walk: New RSPCA Fundraiser Walks the Talk

The RSPCA’s special event, “The Million Paws Walk”, encourages dog owners across Brisbane to declare their love for animals by walking their dogs. Participants can choose between promenading with their pets at The Barracks or joining the virtual event and doing a neighbourhood walk instead.

The Million Paws Walk was conceptualised as a means of raising awareness for dogs in need. Everyday, people can become heroes just by signing up for the event, walking their dogs, and sharing pictures to help get the word out. 30,000 dogs end up at RSPCA shelters a year, meaning 82 dogs require their help every single day.

Until the 13th of May 2021, The Barracks in Brisbane will be hosting a dedicated grassy area for people to bring their dogs as part of the RSPCA’s special event “The Million Paws Walk”, making it the ideal site for picture-taking, walks, and canine socialisation. In order to participate, all those interested have to do is register.

Other activities at the venue include their treasure hunt, which will provide dog-owners with special passports while they search for various items of interest. Dogs will also be able to eat custom-made and dog-safe ice cream and receive treats and toys while their owners will be given specialised doggy bags full of goodies. Funds raised will be spent on catering to the needs and happiness of the dogs in RSPCA shelters.

Due to complications brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual alternatives will also be available as part of the event such as their special “Walk This May” where dog owners will be able to walk their dogs for 30, 45, or 60 minutes a day all throughout May to raise money for the RSPCA.

The Million Paws Walk: Walk This May event celebrates the love people have for animals in a safe and healthy manner as people can walk in their own backyards and neighbourhoods to minimise their exposure to the virus.

Participants can raise funds for the RSPCA by purchasing merchandise, and these funds will contribute to the organisation’s efforts to provide 112,000 Australian animals with love, care, and new homes each and every year.

Those interested in signing up and taking part, purchasing merchandise, or simply learning more about The Million Paws Walk can visit their website here. As for the special grassy area hosted at The Barracks, the site can be found at 61 Petrie Terrace, Brisbane.

Cyber Attack strikes UnitingCare Hospitals in Auchenflower

The 25th of April 2021 was just another Sunday at Wesley Hospital and St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital, until all of a sudden it wasn’t. As the day went on, it became clear that both hospitals were experiencing a cyber-attack, one that led to serious worries about compromised information systems and other hospital systems and services coming offline.

The attack forced hospitals under UnitingCare Queensland (UCQ) to resort to manual processes after their Digital and Technology systems were rendered inaccessible.

Despite the attacks, back-up processes and systems were prepared in the event that such a situation occurred. Services are continuing as normal thanks to the contingencies and safety measures the hospitals have prepared in advance, however certain processes that cannot be performed manually have been either redirected or rescheduled due to these cyber attacks.

UCQ, the organisation that encompasses the Wesley Hospital and St Andrew’s Memorial Hospital, has not commented on plausible reasons behind the attack however it is commonly speculated that this was the work of ransomware — an act that revolves around criminals restricting data access until a ransom is paid.

According to UCQ’s most recent statement regarding the cyber attack, it is unclear when the issue will be resolved given its recency. However, concrete efforts are being made by their Digital and Technology team to get to the bottom of the issue and have systems fully operational as quickly as possible.

The statement also mentions that those who wish to learn more, or those who wish to receive updates on the matter should periodically visit the media section of the UCQ website as they steadily work to resolve the issue and learn more about those responsible.

Wesley Hospital can be found at 451 Coronation Dr, Auchenflower. To learn more about UCQ, visit their website here. For the latest updates and announcements concerning the hospital, the cyber attacks, and the progress of their attempts at getting systems back online, follow their Facebook page.

Brisbane Street Art Festival 2021: Back With 40 New Exhibits

The Brisbane Street Art Festival is here again! Check out these four exhibits scattered across the city, perfect for art enthusiasts and aspiring artists to enjoy.

Listed below are four of the many, many exhibits that will be open to the public come the day of the festival. Starting the 1st of May 2021, Brisbane is due to host of 40 brand-new artworks from acclaimed artists from all across the country.

James Ellis

Work from the esteemed Brisbane-based muralist James Ellis will be on display at RNA Showgrounds at Gregory Terrace, Bowen Hills. Ellis specialises in realistic large-scale works, painting contemporary outdoor pieces using sprays and brushes and the art he makes often reflects the environment or culture of the location it is made in.

Ellis’ work will be available for public viewing at RNA Showgrounds, Gregory Terrace, Bowen Hills on Sunday the 2nd of May and Monday the 3rd of May from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on both days.

Cam Scale

Cam Scale, whose career as an artist began in Sydney in the early 2000s, specialises in the use of aerosol, oil and acrylic. With decades of experience, he works primarily on large murals, studio and digital work.

Scale’s work can be seen at The Barracks over at 61 Petrie Terrace, Brisbane City. It will be available for public viewing on Saturday the 15th of May from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

BMW Art Car

Returning in 2021 is the BMW Art Car, the product of a partnership between the Brisbane Street Art Festival and Brisbane BMW. Two contemporary Australian artists, Sofles and Tori-Jay Mordey, have worked on the designs for this year’s art cars — a pair of 2021 BMW M4s — which will be driven around the city to parade their designs and displayed at numerous locations.

Photo credit: Facebook/Brisbane Street Art

Superordinary Workshop Series: Paste-Ups With Paired Wines

One of the many art workshops available all throughout the Brisbane Street Art Festival, featuring wine from Innocent Bystander. With this event, attendants will be able to join the paste-up powerhouse Maddbutt to create art with others in a casual and unpretentious environment complete with fine wine.

The workshop will be held at Superordinary over at 62 Mary Street, Brisbane CBD. It will be open on Wednesday the 5th of May 2021, running from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The Brisbane Street Art Festival 2021 will run from May 1 to May 16 2021, with exhibits all across Brisbane. Those interested in learning more can visit their website here. Follow their social media pages on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates concerning the event, the exhibits, and other special announcements.

Here is a map for events and exhibitions that can be found throughout the festival.

Council Approves Gregory Terrace 15-Storey ‘Green’ Development Despite Protests

Brisbane City Council has approved the development application of a 15-storey residential complex with short-term accommodation, and food and drinks outlets on Gregory Terrace despite the locals protesting that the project will ruin the historical and cultural significance of Spring Hill.

Council decided on the development application (DA A005608964) on 23 April 2021 but the details surrounding the approval have yet to be made public, as of press time.

Photo Credit: Screen Capture/Development.Di

The project, which will see the demolition of the old Energex building, will include 113 apartment units and another 120 hotel rooms, as well as bars and restaurants, a pool facility, and communal function rooms.

The building, designed by DBI, will incorporate a vertical garden with planter boxes on the balconies and a rooftop terrace with landscaping. Developer Keylin Land Holdings visualises a contemporary structure with an art deco twist to complement the style of the neighbourhood.

However, a petition opened by Spring Hill local Melissa Botha, received 335 signatures from residents who don’t want the development to push through. Ms Botha said that the planned design is “out of step with Spring Hill,” one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Brisbane surrounded by terrace houses.

Photo credit: Architectural Rendering/Brisbane City Council

The protesters also said that the building will take out the natural light in the area and restrict the ventilation of the neighbourhood. The scope of the project will also increase the noise, air and traffic concerns in Gregory Terrace.

Though the development application does not require a public notification nor an appeal with the Planning and Environment Court, as it is code accessible, residents were alerted when work has started at the old Energex building in mid-March.

Riverside QUT InFusion Markets Now Open Every Sunday

The Riverside QUT InFusion Markets on Main Drive at the QUT Gardens Point campus have finally opened, serving as an extension for City Botanic Gardens’ famous Riverside at the Garden Market.

Those who attend the Riverside QUT InFusion Markets can expect to find snacks and cuisine from various cultures, as well as art and products handmade by local artists who’ve drawn inspiration from all around the world.

Buskers, performers, and live music will be present all throughout the venue to provide the area with sounds that make for a cool atmosphere.

Visitors will be able to purchase ethically-made clothing and accessories fashioned from vintage fabrics and eco-friendly materials. Candles, soap, jewelry, and countless other crafted products made locally by independent artisans will be sold at the market.

Food is also available at the venue such as a Wild Rissole stall that sells gourmet burgers and chips, as well as Fritz Wieners gourmet German sausages. Those interested in eating authentic African food will be able to do so at the market, along with slow-cooked Aussie brisket and beverages for people to treat themselves to like iced tea.

The market will run up all the way to the 26th of December, giving interested parties ample time to visit and return all throughout the year. It will be open every Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. along Main Drive at QUT Gardens Point campus, which is located at 2 George St, Brisbane City.

For the latest updates and announcements concerning the Riverside QUT InFusion Markets, follow their social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram.

Folio Books to Relocate Due to Mary Street Building Demolition

A specialty bookstore patronised by all types of readers in Brisbane is temporarily scaling down its operations as it looks for a new home. Folio Books has to relocate as soon as possible because its seven-year lease on Mary Street has been terminated.

The owner of the CBD building on Mary Street plans to demolish the site to make way for a 23-level office tower with food and drink outlets on the ground floor. Property manager ARA Private Funds lodged the development application in September 2020 (DA A005559278) but Council has yet to make a decision.

Folio Books, however, said that their landlord informed them in mid-March to vacate the site so they had to suspend gift voucher sales and online trading.

Photo Credit: Darshan Pandya/Google Maps

“All online orders are currently suspended due to our shop having to relocate after April, due to the building being demolished,” the bookstore owners wrote on their website. “Please email us at folio@foliobooks.com.au or call us on 07 3210 0500 for all enquiries.”

Earlier, the bookstore operators said that they could close the store for a period of time as they set up a still-undetermined new venue.

Pre-COVID, it was usual to find booklovers loitering at this Mary Street bookstore to browse its extensive book hard-to-find book collection. When the pandemic struck, Folio Books successfully shifted to online service and offered free deliveries for more than two book purchases.

Meanwhile, RACQ has written to the Council about the planned redevelopment of the Mary Street location. Whilst RACQ is not opposed to the new building, it has raised concerns about the bulk of the planned tower and the potential disruption of the sightlines on Edward Street.

Dawn: New Mediterranean Bar Opens in Spencer Lane

Spencer Lane’s latest bar and restaurant, Dawn, offers Brisbane a new venue for people to enjoy Mediterranean-inspired meals with an expansive cocktail menu.

Dawn, which recently opened in late March 2021, sports a design inspired by the French Riviera, featuring grey marble furniture, plush booths, and a bar counter. The restaurant currently occupies the former site of the now-closed Spencer Lane restaurant, The Euro Garden.

Their menu draws culinary inspiration from countries like Spain, Italy, France and Greece, consisting of snacks and share plates like their cheese and charcuterie boards, their jamón ibérico with honey fermented garlic and bread, or their saltbush and mountain pepper fried calamari served with chili mayo and lemon.

The venue has more to offer than just food, however. Featuring a curated collection of alcoholic concoctions from their award-winning mixologist Marco Nunes, Dawn offers their customers a variety of drinks to complement their meals. Rare spirits, aperitif and curious cocktails are all present in the bar’s drink menu.

Dawn can be found at Spencer Lane, Brisbane City, at the site that was once the home of The Euro. The bar is open from Wednesdays to Saturdays from 3pm till late. For more information, visit their website. Follow their social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates and announcements.

Little Scholars: Brisbane CBD Childcare Centre Introduces Valet Service

Little Scholars, a family-owned childcare facility in Brisbane CBD, has introduced a first-of-its-kind valet service to ease the drop-off point in a busy section of George Street.

The school has set up a separate secured “drop and go” meeting area for the educators to fetch the children from their parents or guardians as they arrive at school. Following a consultation with the parents, the move was made to limit the stress the kids experience, especially at the start of the day.

In a survey in early 2021, the families told the campus of their struggles with this daily routine that includes the commute, locating a parking space, and then going up the elevator to bring the kids to Little Scholars. The whole process apparently takes at least 30 minutes every morning.

Little Scholars Founder and Managing Director Jae Fraser said that they had to make the adjustments as parents are slowly returning to work following the lockdowns.

Last year, when the pandemic started, Brisbane CBD was quite deserted and their school’s enrollment dropped to 40 percent. However, as more establishments reopen and resume work, Mr Fraser said they recognise the need to “create a less stressful childcare experience” not just for the kids but also for the parents who have to juggle their home and work life.

Parents love the valet service, which has been maximised since its introduction. The adults said that this initiative has been more enjoyable and they could see their children feeling more positive about going to the childcare centre.

Little Scholars has been opened since 2017 and caters to children between the ages of six weeks to six years old. The centre is located via a short walk near the train station on Roma Street.

China Sea: Bringing Popular and Authentic Cantonese Cuisine to Milton

Ever since it moved to Park Road in 2005, the family-owned Cantonese restaurant China Sea has supplied the Milton community with elite and authentic East-Asian dining experiences.

Veteran restaurateur Stanley Cheung has owned China Sea since the ‘80s. In the past, the restaurant was based in Brisbane’s Chinatown located in Fortitude Valley, where it operated from 1980 to 2005. After 25 years of running a successful restaurant, Stanley opted to pack up and move to Park Road, Milton. Today, over 30 years later, the restaurant’s still standing strong with the help of his family.

Stanley’s sons, Jason and Philip Cheung, are established chefs in their own right and work to deliver fine, authentic Cantonese cuisine to the China Sea’s customers. The restaurant takes pride in its menu, serving a huge variety of dishes such as peking duck, chili mud crab, honey sesame king prawns, and hokkien fried rice.

China Sea Milton’s Chili Mud Crab
Photo credit: China Sea Milton

For those with dietary restrictions, the restaurant has a gluten-free menu with options such as gluten-free ma po tofu, bok choi with garlic or ginger, or crackling roast pork. Desserts are also among the restaurant’s specialties, offering deep fried ice cream, panna cotta, and banana fritters.

Reviewers on Tripadvisor raved over the restaurant’s seafood-based dishes such as the salt and pepper calamari and the prawn dumplings. Service was also spot-on, according to numerous customers who left the restaurant with five-star reviews, lauding the Cheungs for being welcoming.

Photo credit: Tripadvisor/China Sea Milton

China Sea Milton can be found at 60 Park Rd, open seven days a week with lunch from 12pm-3pm, and dinner from 5:30pm-9:30pm. Takeout and delivery is available. Visit their website for more information.