For the first time in 15 years, Queen Street Mall will be expanded, with Albert Street undergoing a major renewal as part of Cross River Rail.
Following the success of Brisbane’s much-loved lifestyle precincts – including Howard Smith Wharves, South Bank, West Village and Fish Lane – Queen Street Mall will soon extend along Albert Street between Elizabeth and Mary Streets, creating another pedestrian-friendly destination that celebrates Brisbane’s outdoor lifestyle.
Stage one gets underway next month (December), when two new footpath dining sections will open between Elizabeth and Charlotte streets, offering fresh spaces for outdoor dining and entertainment just in time for summer.
The remaining expansion will follow in stages over the coming months, including retail, dining and activations between Elizabeth and Charlotte streets and a final stage between Charlotte and Mary streets.
The local community and businesses will be given plenty of notice of these staged openings well in advance.
The staged openings form part of a new public plaza being delivered outside the new Albert Street underground station, featuring a tree-lined walkway and new seating options.
This project marks a key step towards delivering a direct, walkable link between Roma Street Parkland and the City Botanic Gardens.
With the new underground Albert Street Station set to open as part of Cross River Rail, pedestrian activity and local business growth are expected to surge.
Queen Street Mall was first opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1982, ahead of the Commonwealth Games and grew in popularity during Expo 88.
Major refurbishments followed in 1999 and 2007, with Burnett Lane refurbished and incorporated into the Mall in 2009 and Reddacliff Place in 2010.
Four decades later, Queen Street Mall remains one of Australia’s most popular pedestrian malls. Recent openings, including Country Road in the heritage-listed Bank building and Wendy’s on Adelaide Street, have added even more for shoppers and diners to enjoy.
In October, an average of more than 220,000 pedestrians passed through the Mall each day, with July recording the highest daily average this year at over 248,000.
Albert Street traders will be incorporated into the Queen Street Mall Central Area Plan in the 2026/27 financial year.
While already attracting impressive crowds, the Mall is set to benefit even further from a strong pipeline of major developments and investment that will enhance the precinct’s appeal.
Pipeline projects expected to boost foot traffic in the Queen Street Mall:
- Griffith University is converting the heritage‑listed Treasury Building into a new CBD campus
- The Hilton Hotel rebranding as the luxury Intercontinental Brisbane and will start a refurbishment program to enhance its offering
- ISPT’s plans to redevelop the Wintergarden into a vibrant precinct ahead of the 2032 Games
- Charter Hall’s plan to transform the former St George Bank site at the top of the Queen Street Mall into a modern tower with streetscape activation.
- The earmarked revitalisation of Uptown
Future events expected to boost foot traffic in the Queen Street Mall:
- The return of the Australian PGA Championships in November 2025
- Second Ashes Test in Brisbane in December 2025
- The Brisbane International in January 2026
- Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo will perform in Brisbane for the first time ever in February 2026, with four spectacular performances
- Major acts including Ed Sheeran, Lady Gaga, Rufus Du Sol, and AC/DC
Quotes attributable to City Planning Chair Cr Adam Allan:
“Queen Street Mall is a major economic engine for our city and a must-visit destination for locals and visitors alike.
“Expanding the mall into Albert Street will help us to deliver more to see and do for visitors and residents, who are already flocking to our CBD in droves.
“We’re committed to making must-do destinations like Queen Street Mall and across our suburbs even better to continue showcasing our fantastic lifestyle.”
Quotes attributable to Cross River Rail Delivery Authority CEO Graeme Newton:
“Not only will the first new train station in the CBD in more than 120 years help people get home sooner at the end of the day, it is also helping to reshape the city and improve liveability.
“Significant progress is being made on the new Albert Street station, including the installation of all the underground station’s escalators and construction beginning on the station’s massive 153-tonne canopy.
“With the canopy construction taking place above the public realm works, the Albert Street precinct is transforming before our eyes.
“We thank the local community and businesses for their patience as work continues on this exciting new chapter for Brisbane.”
