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Land Purchased for ‘South Bank 2.0’ in Montague Road, West End

Plans to turn a glass manufacturing site on Montague Road in West End into “South Bank 2.0” have inched a step closer to fruition after the acquisition of the property for $165 million.

The precinct has been envisioned as an inner city multi-use parkland that will also house the International Broadcast Centre (IBC) in time for the 2023 Brisbane Olympics and Paralympic Games.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said that the West End site “will be the global nerve centre of the 2032 Games.” The 9-hectare property will then be added as a permanent asset for Brisbane, thus creating the future for a world-class parkland similar to South Bank.

Initially, a temporary venue will be constructed for IBC. After the games, the building will then be removed and then converted into parklands. The state government will be closely working with Council in the site’s transformation.

Ms. Palaszczuk said South Bank 2.0 would be a mixed-use facility with heaps of green spaces and restaurants. The governments have more than a decade to develop the revitalisation and a masterplan is yet to be prepared.

“The mayors of South East Queensland began the journey to pursue these Games because they realised the incredible legacy this would create for Brisbane and the rest of the region,” Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said.

“This new area on the banks of the Brisbane River is precisely the type of legacy they envisaged, great new assets that would benefit all residents and make our wonderful city even better.

“For a decade and more, people have talked about South Bank being extended along this part of our river and I am so pleased we’re now moving forward to make those dreams become a reality.”

Meanwhile, Visy, the current occupant, will move its operations to a new site in Stapylton. The company will also build its cardboard box factory in Hemmant. Both businesses will bring in 600 new jobs for Queenslanders.

Soak Bathhouse, Brisbane’s First Rooftop Day Spa, Set To Open Soon

Gold Coast’s beloved day spa Soak Bathhouse is all set to launch in West End in August 2022, making it the first-ever rooftop bathhouse to open in Brisbane.

Read: Well-loved Gold Coast Day Spa Is Coming To West End

The day spa will open at The Eaves in West Village, an event highly anticipated by eager spa enthusiasts.

Just like its location at the Mermaid Beach, Brisbane’s Soak Bathhouse will offer infrared saunas, relaxing spas, and indoor/outdoor warm mineral pools.

For a 90-minute session, guests can move between the lounge areas, the sundeck, and lush beautiful gardens, all whilst having a view of the city.

What sets it apart from other day spas throughout the city is that it will focus on providing a social experience, allowing guests to hangout in a group whilst enjoying their wellness sessions.

This comes after the owners noticed that most day spas in Brisbane only cater to pairs through couple treatments and massages.

Owners Alexis Dyson and Niki Dean wanted the spa to become a venue where groups can connect whilst re-energising and zoning out.

Whilst social connection and community is part of their ethos, they will also offer private experiences such as LED facials and massages, for those looking for extra special ‘me time.’

A month prior to the grand opening, Soak Bathhouse West End already celebrated the Winter Wellness Day at the West Village. In July 2022, customers got a chance to meet the team and join in a day of wellness activities.

Soak Bathhouse West Village will launch August 2022. You can follow their Facebook page to stay updated about the spa’s anticipated grand opening.

Yamas Greek & Drink Preparing To Open At The West Village

Yamas Greek and Drink, a restaurant with focus on authentic Greek cuisine, is preparing to open at the West Village precinct.

Read: New Chimney Cake Specialty Shop Opens in West End

Yamas means “cheers” or “‘a toast to good health” in Greek and as the name suggests, there will be an emphasis on banquet dining and share plates here.

Owners Michael Tassis and Caio Rossetto, the same folks behind Fatcow Steak & Lobster and Opa Bar & Mezze at Eagle St, drew inspiration from the traditional Greek restaurants in Thessaloniki, where you can find many restaurants specialising in Greek mezze.

greek restaurant bne — Photo credit: yamasrestaurant.com.au

As with the eateries around Thessaloniki, where one would be amazed with the seafood options, the new restaurant will have a live lobster tank to ensure seafood will be served fresh.

Yamas Greek and Drink will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner with menu highlights such as wagyu beef moussaka, slow-cooked lamb leg and chargrilled lobster.

After a sumptuous dinner, guests can toast over wine, from Yamas’ extensive wine list or from their Aegean-inspired cocktails.

greek restaurant — Photo credit: yamasrestaurant.com.au

There will be a few similarities with its sister venue Opa Bar & Mezze, but it will have a heavier focus on authentic Greek dishes. Designed by Clui Design, the space will be ‘breezy’ and ‘airy,’ making it a perfect destination for get-togethers.

As for the opening date, Yamas Greek and Drink has not released an official date yet. To stay updated about Yamas Greek and Drink’s anticipated launch at the West Village, follow them on Facebook or on Instagram @yamas.greek.

It’s the End of the Road for Wandering Cooks

Photo Credit: Wandering Cooks / Facebook

After ten years, Wandering Cooks, beloved culinary incubator, commercial kitchen, and dining spot in West End that has helped many fledgling food entrepreneurs kickstart their hospitality business, has served its last dish.

“Wandering Cooks is closed. For good,” the sad notice on Wandering Cooks’ social media reads.

“Wandering Cooks, the project to which I have devoted myself for the last decade, is closed for good. It is time to accept that the market has made this decision an obvious, if not extremely difficult, one,” Wandering Cooks founder Angela Hirst wrote.

Wandering Cooks started out as a commercial kitchen, helping launch some of today’s well-known eateries including El Planta, Alphabet Cafe, Nodo, and Pie Town. A year after shutting down due to COVID-19, the culinary incubator expanded its offerings and included a bar and restaurant along with a farmer’s market, before moving from Fish Lane to Vulture Street in 2021.

“Then, something called a lockdown happened. The irreparable exodus of so many of our partners, and the effective end of what we’d long been. A year or so in the dark. Then, gently, a farmers market, some coffee, then a little food of our own. Then a lot of food of our own. Then eviction from our home of 8 years,” Ange furthered.

With their new, two-storey warehouse space, Wandering Cooks evolved from its previous incubator concept and grew into a full-blown culinary kitchen plus a beer garden, focusing on locally produced ingredients and serving up to a hundred customers each night.

Sadly, when borders were opened, patronage dramatically declined. This led to the painful decision to finally close the beloved restaurant for good.

“Alas. Borders open. New year, new world. A ghost town, again. It’s time,” continued Ange.

She then closed her farewell statement stressing that the business “never has a premise. It’s been people.” She further wrote, “So I guess I don’t really know what the question of Wandering Cooks was after all. But I reckon the answer turned out to be love.”

The dining spot officially closed last May but Ange assures everyone that she is doing OK and feels well supported.

And as their way of properly saying goodbye, the Wandering Cooks will hold an event on 2 July 2022 at Lucky Duck Cafe & Bar from 5 pm till late. This will be a reunion of sorts as everyone who had been part of the Wandering Cook’s journey is expected to join the event.

Mamma Mia-inspired Dining Experience Lands on West End

Photo Credit: Hidden / explorehidden.com

Mamma Mia! An ABBA jukebox musical-themed theatrical dining experience has landed on West End and will run until 25 June 2022. Head on out to The Cypriot Club on Vulture Street for an evening filled with singing and dancing whilst being served sumptuous Greek food.

Inspired by the 2008 hit jukebox musical, romantic-comedy, “Dancing Queen” is an immersive dining experience that will have you begging, “gimme, gimme, gimme” some more. Journey to the island of Skopelos and relive the love story as performers serenade you (and sing along) with some of ABBA’s timeless hits.

*Dancing Queen brings Mamma Mia vibe to West End | Photo Credit: Hidden / explorehidden.com*

This immersive dining experience costs $99 per person and includes the theatrical performance, a two-course Mediterranean dinner with a drink and a disco.

This immersive dining experience includes the theatrical performance, a two-course Mediterranean dinner with a drink and a disco. — Photo Credit: Hidden / explorehidden.com

The Menu (subject change) includes Mezze Plate, served as individual plates of Dolmades, feta cheese, marinated olives, hummus, taramasalata, Toursi (pickled vegetables) & herbed flatbread. Greek salad will also be served for the shared table.

For the Main course, you can choose one of the following mains served with spanakorizo, lemon potatoes, arugula salad & vienna bread.

Chicken in Garlic Sauce (GF – fresh cream, garlic, wine, salt & pepper)
Garlic Shrimp Skewers with Garlic Sauce
Vegan/ Vegetarian Option: Grilled seasonal vegetables: grilled zucchini, eggplant & mushroom (Menu is subject to market availability)

The remaining Show and Dinner dates are on Friday 24 June at 5.30 pm and Saturday 25 June at 8.30 pm. Please note that tickets are non-refundable.

Book here

You will be sent a Google Form before the event so you can note any dietary requests and your seating preferences. Under 18s can attend the event but should be accompanied by a guardian.

New Chimney Cake Specialty Shop Opens in West End

Photo Credit: kurtosh_official / Instagram

They heard you, Brisbane! Kurtosh – popular for its chimney cake or kürtőskalács – finally opened its first Queensland location in West Village, West End.

The latest eatery to land on West End, Kurtosh House opened its first store in Randwick, NSW in 2011. Eight locations later (6 in NSW and one in Victoria), owners felt that it was time for Queensland to have its own Kurtosh store. The new West Village joint on Boundary Street opened recently occupying a space opposite fellow newcomer Anita Gelato.

New Chimney Cake Specialty Shop -
Kurtosh House West End — Photo Credit: kurtosh_official / Instagram

Kürtősh House borrowed its name from a popular Hungarian street snack, Kürtőskalács, which is also known as chimney cake for its cylindrical shape. The famous pastry melds two distinct textures: caramelised crispy flaky crust and soft inner walls. And you can now experience this made-to-order specialty at Kürtősh.

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A post shared by Stevani – Sydney Foodie – Content Creator (@foodblogs)

Kurtosh House in West Village also offers slab cakes and a variety of pastries and loaves. Interestingly, slab cakes are sold by weight, so there is no need to buy the entire slab. You could simply ask the friendly staff to cut you a serving of one or each of the available flavours at a size that is just enough to satisfy your craving.

Cake offerings include flourless chocolate cake, tiramisu, cookies and cream, cinnamon and walnut tea cake, mum’s chocolate cake and red forest cake, but keep an eye on their rotating specials as well.

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A post shared by Kürtősh (@kurtosh_official)

Not to be missed are their scrumptious cookies and pastries offerings which include vegan peanut butter cookies, salted tahini and choc chip cookies, apple danish, raspberry croissant, cheese pocket and peanut butter and raspberry scroll, to name a few.

The coffee counter, meanwhile, serves up rotating choice blends and Teacraft Teas in English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Chai, Peppermint, Chamomile & Gunpowder Green varieties.

Kurtosh House is located at Shop TR-06, 111 Boundary Street, West Village Retail, West End. Operating hours are Monday to Sunday from 7 am to 10 pm.

Kürtősh – West End | Shop TR-06, 111 Boundary Street, West Village Retail, West End QLD 4101, Australia

Renovated West End Cafe Offers Immersive, Full-Service Dining Experience

Photo Credit: Veneziano Coffee West End / Facebook

This West End cafe has never looked better. If you haven’t paid them a visit yet, then it’s time to check out the fresh look of Veneziano Coffee Roasters on Montague Road.

Veneziano Coffee Roasters has been serving up West End locals with coffee goodness for more than a decade now. And with the opening of its 80-seat Richmond cafe and the flagship espresso bar in Surry Hills in 2018, a West End venue update needed to happen; and so it finally did.

Photo Credit: Veneziano Coffee West End / Instagram

Renovated Veneziano Coffee West End — Photo Credit: Veneziano Coffee West End / Instagram

After a COVID-19 induced delay, Veneziano Coffee Roasters West End relaunched early this year with a revitalised look. The coffee joint now sports a new bright and airy space dotted with greenery that easily pops out against the all-white palette surrounding the space. Wooden chairs, marble-topped tables, and a vaulted ceiling complete the refreshed look. The venue can now accommodate about 50 customers indoors and another 16 outdoors.

An interesting addition to the shop is a glass window that offers diners an immersive experience as it provides a full view of the roastery from the dining space where they can see the shop’s behind-the-scenes operations. Another window gives visitors a view of the expanded training studio next door where barista and latte art training classes happen.

Chilled Coconut rice pudding | Photo Credit: Veneziano Coffee West End / Facebook

Along with the updated design, Veneziano Coffee Roasters likewise introduced its new full-service menu offering lunch fare with vegan and vegetarian options including Chilled Coconut rice pudding with seasonal fruits and dehydrated mandarins. There’s also vegan croquet with house-made cashew cheese and pesto and Montague Benedict or poached eggs served on zucchini fritters with a citrus Hollandaise and crumbled feta.

Montague Benedict | Photo Credit: Veneziano Coffee West End / Facebook

Lunch offerings include burgers, burritos and smoked ham with vintage cheddar, beetroots, grilled stone fruits and seeded mustard. Whilst sweet treats including Brioche French Toast as well as sandwiches and bagels will still be on offer.

As for the caffeine fix, espresso, cappuccino, latte and filtered coffee are among the choices. Other beverages like hot chocolate, chai, milkshakes and smoothies are also available.

Veneziano Coffee Roasters West End is open 6 am to 3 pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday; and from 6 am to 2 pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Want to order online? Click here.

Veneziano Coffee West End | 369 Montague Rd, West End QLD 4101, Australia

Get Moving With West End Gym’s ‘Fit Over 50s Program’

West End’s Science of Fitness gym is inviting those in their 50s to keep active and get moving by participating in their ‘Fit over 50s Program’

Read: Chris Feather, Russell Crowe Opens New 98 Gym West End Location

The program is designed specifically at improving strength, movement and general fitness in older adults, which are all done in a non-threatening, social and enjoyable environment.

It’s also designed for those who are looking to reduce pain, improve function and feel stronger and healthier through exercise.

west end gym — Photo credit: scienceoffitness.com.au

A key component of the program is measuring the effectiveness of the work their clients are putting in.

“Research suggests that grip strength is largely consistent as an explanator of concurrent health, quality of life and all causes of morbidity. We can proudly say our 50s members have proven that research to be true,” Science of Fitness stated.

Available for all members, they conduct their testing week every 12 weeks at their West End facility.

“It provides an opportunity for individuals to see quantitative information about their performance that our trainers can use to prescribe a purpose-driven program relevant to their strengths and weaknesses – we do this for every client and member that walks through our doors,” they shared in a social media post.

sof brisbane west end — Photo credit: scienceoffitness.com.au

The Fit over 50s program is one of the programs supported by the QLD Government under ActiveKIT.

ActiveKIT is an initiative of Health and Wellbeing Queensland in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport.

Health and Wellbeing Queensland Chief Executive Dr Robyn Littlewood highlighted how low physical activity can have a direct impact on our overall health and wellbeing, including increasing our risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

“Increasing our physical activity helps prevent hypertension, overweight and obesity, and can improve mental health, quality of life and wellbeing.,” said Dr Littlewood.

To learn more about the Fit over 50s program, visit scienceoffitness.com.au. SOF Brisbane is located at 282 Montague Rd, West End.

Chris Feather, Russell Crowe Opens New 98 Gym West End Location

Photo Credit: 98 Gym Brisbane / Facebook

Hollywood superstar Russell Crowe and former professional rugby player Chris Feather have expanded their gym business with the recent opening of their 98 Gym West End location, their first in Brisbane.

The 12th of February 2022 was a big day for Feather and Crowe as 98 Gym Brisbane opened on Montague Road, West End, their fourth location after Sydney, Bondi and Melbourne.

Upon retiring from professional Rugby, Feather moved to Australia to join friend and former NRL player, Sam Burgess. In 2009, Sam and Chris met Crowe whilst the latter was filming Robin Hood in the UK.

“Fast forward a couple of years and he and Sam had become good friends. By this time, Russell had a small private gym in the middle of the city in Sydney, in a building he owned, 98 Riley Street,” Chris Feather recalls.

“Russell gave me the opportunity to use the gym for personal training – the rent was $250 per week and it would only be me working there. I took him up on his offer and started to build up my client base.”

Whilst his little business was doing well, Chris’ visa is nearing expiration, His options could either be to become a PT manager or become a gym manager; both of which he had so little experience of.

“Mentally, I started preparing for a trip home to the UK,” he said.

He explained his situation to Sam and Russell and explained how he had often thought “Russell could open his gym to 50 members and run an exclusive members-only gym”. Russell agreed to Chris’ proposal and sponsored him as the manager of the new business venture.

“Within the next 3 months the gym had its first 50 members, and I had a new job and a visa for 3 years.”

A few years later, Russell gave Chris the “opportunity to buy the majority of shares” of the 98 Riley Street Gym and “98 Gym” was born in 2017.

For their fourth location, The 98 Gym team found the perfect place in West End. Just about four kilometres southwest of Brisbane CBD, Montague Road with its buzzing neighbourhoods offers the best opportunities for growing their gym membership.

98 Gym Brisbane is located at 202 Montague Road, West End. The gym offers newbies a 7-day free trial as well as Part-Time Membership with access to two in-gym sessions a week and complimentary access to our 98 Training app.

98_Gym Brisbane| 202 Montague Rd, West End 4101

Plans Submitted For Residential Building In Kurilpa St in West End

Stockwell Development Group has lodged an application to build a nine-storey residential building on Kurilpa St in West End.

Read: Temporary West End-to-Guyatt Park Ferry Route Unveiled As 3-Stage Plan Commences

The residential dwellings , consisting of 78 two-, three- and four-bedroom units, will take up eight levels, with each storey consisting of individual private balconies or courtyards facing the streets.

stockwell west end — Site plan (Photo credit: Brisbane City Council)

The subject site is on a 2365sqm corner site spanning four lots at 4, 6 and 8 Bailey Street and 10 Kurilpa Street. It’s currently occupied by warehouse buildings which will be removed once the application is given the green light.

It would have a rooftop communal space, which would have a swimming pool, barbecue, recreational areas and pergola.

Designed by MODE Design, the plan incorporates Buildings that Breathe principles, with landscaping and deep planting zones proposed “to ensure the interface contributes to an attractive streetscape.”

brisbane west end — Photo credit: Brisbane City Council

It would also feature two levels of basement car parking which will accommodate 138 car parking spaces including 12 visitor parking.

The DA highlighted that residents of the proposed building will benefit from the ferry services, given the proposed ferry terminal at Victoria St.

“The proposed development is an appropriate density and mix of dwelling types to achieve the dwelling targets to accommodate the future population for Brisbane City under the Regional Plan,” said planners at RPS.

rooftop area — Rooftop recreation space (Photo credit: Brisbane City Council)

Stockwell has a number of established properties in West End, such as Riverpoint, which was completed in 2016, Muse (completed 2018), and Virtuoso the River (completed 2019).

The company has many residential projects across Brisbane, including apartments along Fish Lane and Dutton Park. They are also behind the controversial Boggo Road Gaol development, which was granted approval in 2021.

The new West End development will be one of their projects for 2022 along with another one in Noosaville.

Fore more details about the proposed residential building, see Brisbane City Council’s website with the reference A005984925.