Plans For University Of Queensland’s New CBD Campus Revealed

The former Queensland National Bank head office will serve as the new home of the University of Queensland, after the school’s application for a second location in the CBD has been granted approval.


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Plans (A005770473) lodged by UQ revealed the heritage-listed building at 308 Queen St and an adjoining seven-storey tower at 88 Creek St will be the location of its second Brisbane CBD campus, which is intended to host a “hub for postgraduate learning and executive education.” 

The Queensland National Bank, also known as National Australia Bank, was built in 1881 and became a heritage site in 1992. The three-storeyed brick building is an example of Classical Revival style which was common in bank architecture of the period. 

National Australia Bank (Photo credit: apps.des.qld.gov.au

The university reportedly spent over $47 million in late 2019 to acquire both properties. The first CBD location is at another heritage-listed building at Queen St, which now houses their Business School Executive Education program. After almost two years, UQ’s vision for another campus in the CBD is a step closer to reality after the Brisbane City Council approved the development application in July 2021.

Plans for level 1 (Photo credit: developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au)
Plans for Level 2 (Photo credit: developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au)


Plans for level 3  (Photo credit: developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au)
Plans for level 4  (Photo credit: developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au)

Based on the proposal submitted to Council, the first four levels of the seven-storey tower will be gutted and refurbished whilst an active travel end-of-trip facilities will be installed in the basement; Meanwhile, the ground level of the heritage-listed building will also be updated, including its external stone facade. Plans also include a new entry, at 308 Queen St to the shared lift-well between the two buildings.


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“UQ is more than doubling its footprint in the centre of Brisbane with the purchase of two iconic buildings in the City. The purchase allows UQ to meet increasing demand for CBD-based study in areas including executive education, lifelong learning and micro-credentialing, as well as continuing professional development,”  the university stated.

University of Queensland Provides Better Access to Students as it Opens Its New City Site

At the centre of Brisbane’s financial district, the University of Queensland opens their city site, ensuring better access to executive education and postgraduate study for its students.

The new city site is located at 293 Queen Street and will be the University’s Faculty of Business, Economics and Law. This month, it opens to students from postgraduate business programs, UQ’s Master of Business Administration and executive education courses.

Three floors of the building (ground floor and levels 6 & 7) were leased and refurbished for students, alumni, staff and partners as their chance to connect with influencers and key decision makers. This is part of their multimillion project.

The ground floor and the sixth level houses the facilities for business, economics and law postgraduate programmes and executive education. The seventh level is dedicated to business interaction.

There is an Executive Lounge for staff and alumni with corporate meeting spaces available for rent.

There is a coffee shop downstairs, The Daily Coffee Co., which is also open to the public.