Nearly five years since he opened Langanis Barber for men opened in West End, owner and director Michael Langanis has decided to make his establishment more inclusive. The new Langanis Studio nowoffers their trademark luxury hair and grooming servicesto a growing number of men AND women.
As a luxury hair and grooming shop, Langanis Barber embodied urban culture and style. It became the go-to studio for beard grooming, precise colouring and textured haircuts.
Despite the lockdowns and restrictions on certain activities, including personal care services, the West End shop was bustling with demand and gained a 60 per cent revenue during the pandemic.
Following the flagship store’s opening, Michael also opened a shop in Teneriffe in late 2019 and on Edward Street, Brisbane CBD, in December 2020. A fourth outlet is set to open at the Pacific Fair in Gold Coast in early 2022, whilst Michael is also focussed on expanding his Langanis Hair product line in the United States, United Arab Emirates, New Zealand and the rest of Australia.
“The businesses resilience and versatility are credited to a cult-like clientele which has increased dramatically over the past two years – some of whom come in for style cuts twice a week,” Michael said.
“We’re thrilled to have a diverse mix of customers frequenting each studio and evolving into a unisex brand that caters to both men and women is quite a significant milestone.
“We can’t wait to celebrate an elevated level of inclusive hair fashion with the launch of our rebranded Langanis Studios.”
With the rebrand, every shop will feature ultra-modern design with an energetic and welcoming atmosphere. Customers who love coffee will be served a fresh brew during their visit.
After more than a year of construction, the new West End Police Station recently opened, providing enhanced facilities and technology to the Queensland Police Service for frontline policing.
Located on Vulture Street in West End, the new station provides frontline police with the technology and resources required for policing public order related issues so close to the inner-city environment.
A ceremony was held for the official opening of the new station in October 2021, which was attended by Commissioner Katarina Carroll and Minister for Police and Minister for Corrective Services Mark Ryan.
“The opening of this new station today is both a continuation of the history of service the QPS has provided to the West End community and a positive step into our future as a world-class police service,” Commissioner Carroll said during the ceremony.
Meanwhile, Minister Ryan said the opening of the new station continued the commitment of the Queensland Government and the QPS to keeping policing facilities at the highest standard.
“West End Police have consistently delivered a high level of service to the community, and I know this new station will support the continuation of this service now, and into the future,” Minister Ryan said.
The consultation, which will be open until 28 February 2021, will be held in various locations across West End, St Lucia, CBD, and Toowong. In West End, information sessions are scheduled on the following dates:
Date and Time
Venue
27 November 2021 (9:00 a.m. – 12 noon)
Orleigh Park (Area 3) Montague Rd
4 December 2021 (6:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.)
West End Markets, Davies Park, cnr Montague Rd Jane St
8 December 2021 (4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.)
South Brisbane Sailing Club, 68 Hill End Tce
12 February 2022 (6:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.)
West End Markets, Davies Park, cnr Montague Rd Jane St
The community consultations are for the concept design released by Brisbane City Council in November 2021. Residents can provide feedback on elements such as the design of the landing locations, landscaping and urban design features, pedestrian and cyclist facilities or the overall bridge design. The locals’ feedback will be used for conceptualising the bridge’s final design.
Concept Design
Artist’s impression of proposed riverside park and plaza at the Toowong landing (Photo credit: CC BY 2.0/Brisbane City Council/Flickr)
The Toowong to West End Green Bridge will link West End to Toowong and St Lucia. One of the highlights of the bridge is the new landscaped riverfront green space and landing plaza, with viewing platforms and seating providing space to rest and enjoy river views.
“The concept design aims to provide a modern bridge structure that touches lightly on the river’s edge and provides new ways to enjoy the river and local parks,” said Brisbane City Council.
Aerial view of the West End landing (Photo credit: CC BY 2.0/Brisbane City Council/Flickr)
Other key features of the green bridge include shade along the length of the walking path and a landing at Orleigh Park that minimises impacts on open space and provides a direct connection to the walking and cycling network.
“In West End, the landing will preserve existing heritage features and trees, where possible, to incorporate new and upgraded facilities such as seating, lighting and signage – a win for the local community and residents,” said Cr James Mackay.
Toowong to West End Green Bridge rest point with seating and viewing opportunities (Photo credit: CC BY 2.0/Brisbane City Council/Flickr)
It will feature a a curved single-mast cable stay bridge form with a length of about 280m and mast height of 75m above water level and a single water-based pier on the Toowong side of the
Brisbane River to minimise impacts on river users.
Artist’s impression of landing plaza at Toowong (Photo credit: CC BY 2.0/Brisbane City Council/Flickr)
Works could commence on the Toowong to West End Green Bridge as soon as 2024, subject to funding and approvals, with each bridge expected to take around two years to complete.
Here’s a flythrough of Toowong to West End Green Bridge:
Soak Bathhouse is co-founded by Alexis Dyson, whose goal is to make wellness accessible, and to help people see that it is possible to feel great every day.
Regulars at Soak Bathhouse in Mermaid Beach will say that the place is not the kind of spa where people just soak in solitude.
“We envisaged a place where people could connect, move and nourish their bodies, and recover both mentally and physically. We wanted a retreat, reimagined,” Soak Bathhouse has noted on their website.
They have indoor and outdoor communal mineral baths, hot spas, cold plunge, lush tropical garden, sundeck, sun lounges, steam room and traditional dry cedar sauna to help you recharge and disconnect from the stress of every day.
One more thing that makes them unique is that they developed a range of custom protocols targeting specific concerns, such as boosting one’s immunity, losing weight or improving your skin health.
The spa uses pure and unpolluted rock salts sourced from the Himalayas. They have an oxygen UV energy field purification system that eliminates over 63 pathogens, giving them exceptional water quality.
If you can’t wait to check them out, you can make a trip to Pacific Square in the Gold Coast. They are open on weekends, but if you prefer a quieter experience, they suggest you visit them on weekdays.
In the meantime, don’t forget to follow them on Facebook to stay updated about their West End opening in 2022 or visit their website to learn more about their services.
If you’ve stood in line waiting to get a table at the busy Picnic Cafe in Camp Hill, you’d be glad to know that this local favourite has set up a second all-day breakfast spot in West End. Now, a whole new crowd can enjoy its delectable brekkie and lunch offerings and experience why the food at this cafe is an easy eastside favourite.
Since 23 Sept 2021, Picnic Cafe in West End has welcomed brunchers at the new venue on the corner of Boundary and Mollison Street in West Village. With nearly the same fit out as its Camp Hill sister site (but only bigger!), this eatery has an inviting open dining space with lots of lights, natural pine furnishing, and specs of greenery. It’s also attracting a hungry crowd, judging by its packed operations every single day.
Unlike the Camp Hill site, however, the West End spot opens a lot later than the eastside outlet but whether you come to this cafe for breakfast or lunch, you’ll always get the same line-up of classic, delicious, and Insta-worthy meals.
Picnic Cafe’s highly-recommended signature dish is the nutritious and filling Wagyu Scotch egg, which is loaded with bearnaise sauce, house-pickled salad, avocado, kimchi-inspired dressing, piccolo, and hash browns. If it’s pancakes you’re hankering for, this cafe has Stacks On Stacks cream cheese pancakes topped with berries, pistachio praline, salted caramel sauce, lemon balm, and ice cream. The flavours are worth the guilt trip!
But there are lunch items on the menu as well, such as the chicken burger with 25 spices or the unique udon-based pasta with chorizo and tiger prawns. Between 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Picnic Cafe serves up snacks you can’t resist like fried halloumi sticks, salt and pepper squid, and popcorn chicken.
The Camp Hill cafe’s iced coffees, cold press juices, smoothies, and cocktails like the fabulous Biscoff or Toblerone martinis are also on the West End menu. Some of the cocktail drinks come with alcohol-free versions.
After the birth of this second venue, Picnic Cafe is also planning on offering actual picnics for diners to order in advance and then collect at their most convenient time. Tune in for more from this exciting cafe by following their Instagram or Facebook.
To a very reassuring degree, the West End property market showed remarkable resilience as the median house price growth hit over 20% for the period from July 2020 to June 2021. In terms of property growth, West End demonstrates the strength of Brisbane’s property market as both house and unit sales continue to successfully weather the economic uncertainty that pandemic restrictions have wrought in the inner city and CBD.
Data from Property Market Updates for the period of July 2020 to June 2021 indicated high growth for West End at 21.43 per cent, pulling the house median price from $1,050,00 to $1,275,000. Inventory sold at a brisk 43 days on the market with 50 properties snapped up during this period.
Most home buyers are families who need either a three or four-bedroom house with modern fittings to raise their children. Contrary to the popular perception that West End is home to unconventional and non-conforming bohemians, this locale is quite attractive to young families, professionals, and downsizers who still prefer the inner city life, where good schools and job opportunities abound.
Despite a growing inclination by buyers to ditch a busy city to look for lifestyle homes close to the beach, the river, or next to nature at the height of the pandemic and the lockdowns, sales activity has remained strong in West End’s housing market.
A three-level oasis on Hoogley Street with an open-air Japanese-inspired indoor centre garden sold the highest price for this period at $2,500,000. The architectural structure, located on a spot overlooking the Brisbane River via Orleigh Street, was built after the flooding in 2011. Its former owners loved staying at this residence for its proximity to the unique shops and the best schools in Brisbane. But as the children have grown, the owners have decided to downsize and let a new family have their dream house.
Unit Price Growth
West End’s unit market saw a modest decline of 2.96 per cent despite the sale of 552 properties within 77 days on market. This was partly because most of the sales were two-bedroom apartments, a segment of the market popular among downsizing couples and first-home buyers.
Aside from that, what has largely driven the unit median price down from $625,000 to $606,500 is an inventory oversupply, as new developments and construction continue to keep West End’s unit market in a constant state of flux. Tenant demand also dipped at the start of the pandemic as international students were unable to return to Australia and many workers lost their jobs.
Still, West End units haven’t lost their appeal for some savvy investors who are aware of the long-term prestige and value of the properties in this inner-city suburb. Proof of this is the six-bedroom riverside penthouse unit on Buchanan Street, which nabbed a $3,800,000 price tag, higher than the house sale. Set on top of a luxury development, this apartment is within West End’s famous cultural hub and very close to South Bank and the CBD.
About West End
While a densely populated suburb, West End offers heaps of conveniences for its residents with easy access to bike paths, buses, trains, and ferries. Established in the 1860s, this suburb has developed into one of the most progressive areas in Brisbane and has become a melting pot of cultures.
Photo Credit: Google Maps
As a diversified community, West End has an abundance of quirky cafes, unique and interesting retail stores, and a hip and happening nightlife. Following the 2011 floods, this location has had a number of revilisation both in the residential and commercial or mixed-use market.
West End is surrounded by Griffith University, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), the Queensland College of Art, and the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. Brisbane’s premier educational institution, Brisbane State High School, is also close by, along with West End State School and Somerville House.
“West End represents an alternative take on urban living. There is nothing like it in Australia, and few places like it in the world. Imagine. A place where your neighbours are your friends, and your friends are artists, builders, students, doctors, musicians, lawyers, yoga instructors, academics, bloggers, local business owners, and circus performers. You walk, skate or ride to work or study – just 20 minutes to the city or to Queensland’s major universities (unless you choose to laze it on the CityCat as it hums along the river). You walk 10 minutes to the best food, coffee and nightlife in Brisbane. On Saturday, you walk to the farmers market, where you catch up with your neighbours, listen to upcoming musicians, and purchase fresh fruit and veg. The residential streets are quiet and safe, and neighbours still say hello to each other. In the morning, you wake up to the sound of Kookaburras, chickens, and lorikeets. You meet your friends at the gym, the indoor climbing centre, yoga, Capoeira, and/or Latin Dance school.”
Giddy
“Love living in West End. Plenty of excellent cafes, restaurants and fabulous pubs predominantly situated on Boundary Street. Great stretch of Asian restaurants all serving fab food with byo on Hardgrave Road. I also love the colourful, alternative vibe here that makes other Brisbane suburbs appear bland (trust me, I’ve lived in other suburbs!!). Great Saturday farmers markets and Friday night markets where you can eat yummy stall food. The ONLY downside however is the level of development work going on especially down by the river where we live.”
LynnL
“West End is Brisbane’s Bohemian heart. It is easy to write Brisbane off as a collection of bland suburbs that stretch out forever from the city. But most locals will tell visitors that there are three exceptions: West End, New Farm and Paddington. Among those suburbs, West End is a diverse and artistic suburb. The coffee is brilliant, even if you might sit on a milk crate. The food is without par, and you won’t pay too much for it. The streets range from typical inner-city streets to quiet cul-de-sacs. This is the place where Brisbane’s more broad-minded live (if they are lucky) and play.”
It’s time to work up a big appetite because West End’s Bao Bar just extended their ‘All You Can Eat Korean Fried Chicken’ Nights, from once a week to three nights per week, allowing customers to get their fill of Korean fried chicken and chicken karaage bao on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings.
The all-you-can-eat promo ($26.90 pp for an hour session) lets you munch on four types of chicken, from the original flavour to the soy garlic, and both regular and spicy sweet chilli along with two different kinds of chicken karaage bao.
Available from 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Tuesday-Thursday, the eatery accepts walk-in customers so you don’t need to book ahead to enjoy this lip-smacking goodness. Because of the high demand from locals, Bao Bar has decided to extend the promo.
Photo credit: Bao Bar/Facebook
Bao Bar launched the all-you-can-eat fried chicken nights in September 2021, to coincide with the opening of Ggogo Chicken, a pop-up Korean fried chicken joint out of their eatery.
“Best Korean fried chicken I’ve had outside Korea. Cute location with friendly staff and some nice imported and local beers,” shared one customer.
Meanwhile, the full menu is available for takeaway and delivery on Uber Eats or Deliveroo from Tuesday to Sunday. You can order your Korean fried chicken along with fries and sides such as jumbo ebi prawns, pickled radish, and cabbage salad.
Sydney’s much-loved Italian Street Kitchen restaurant has expanded to a second venue in Brisbane, opening up their newest location at the West Village in West End.
Italian Street Kitchen held a grand opening in September 2021 with a carnival theme, presenting an array of traditional Italian street food with a modern twist. As with the restaurant’s other locations, it’s a family-friendly venue that promises the same homemade Italian fare that patrons have come to love and expect.
Photo credit: Italian Street Kitchen/Google Maps
Diners will enjoy authentic dishes from the heart of Italy, including Roman-style pizza, made with dough fermented for 48 hours for maximum flavour, stretched to perfection and topped with the highest quality ingredients.
Pasta is made in house daily from a blend of different flours imported from Northern Italy that is exclusive to the restaurant. They collaborated with Le 5 Stagioni, a leading pizza flour brand in Italy, for a unique blend of flour to ensure the pizza and pasta experience is distinctive to the brand.
Photo credit: Italian Street Kitchen/Facebook
“My vision was to have a space that pays homage to the lively eateries of Italy’s side streets. A space where people could watch the chefs in the kitchen and smell the incredible aromas of quality Italian food. A space where Italian food traditions and contemporary dining experiences intermingle,” shared owner Isabella through the website.
Photo credit: Italian Street Kitchen/Google Maps
In addition to wood-fired pizza and fresh pasta, highlights on the menu include slow-cooked Italian roasts and traditional steaks as well as meat and cheese boards that are perfect for cocktails. They also have an aperitivo hour where guests can delight in light bites, Italian cocktails and great vibes.
Visit Italian Street Kitchen West End’s website to make your reservations online or follow them on social media for updates.
Did you know that ballet can have therapeutic effects to help improve the quality of life of people with brain injury? This is the highlight of Queensland Ballet’s new program, Ballet for Brain Injury.
Currently being held at Queensland Ballet Studios in West End every Saturday morning, Ballet for Brain Injury is a 10-week program tailored for people living with a brain injury to help re-inhabit their bodies and cope with emotional, cognitive and physical impairments brought by the injury.
The program uses ballet-based movement, music and artistry to enable participants to experience the enjoyment, creative expression and wellbeing benefits dance can bring. As with the format of a standard ballet class, participants will start at the barre with smaller movements before learning sequences, choreography and partnering work.
Program Details
Photo credit: Queensland Ballet
Classes are held weekly on a Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. It costs $25, inclusive of bringing a support worker or family member, and informal morning tea following the class.
The carer/support worker/family member is required to also participate in the class alongside the participant. This creates an equal space where everyone in the class is learning and engaging at their own level to form a sense of community for all involved.
“We know exercise is healthy for our brains, and for people with brain injuries the opportunity to engage in physical activity is limited, but it could really improve their rehabilitation outcomes,” said Griffith University program director and research co-lead Professor Elizabeth Kendall.
Participants are encouraged to complete a Participant Information Form before attending the first class so Queensland Ballet will be able to provide them with the most enjoyable and safe dance experience, and also understand their goals and motivations in attending the class.
Plans to redevelop an ageing residential building on Highgate Hill has divided a community amidst concerns that the project could impact the adjoining Kurilpa Garden.
The developer, Bluebird, lodged an application (DA A005732911) in May 2021 to knock down a 14-unit property on 5 Dudley Street. In its place will be an 8-unit block with larger but more expensive apartments for families who might need a three-bedroom space.
Bluebird partnered with the longtime local landowners, who determined that investing in a new building with a sustainable design would be better than restoring the old site. The developer has proposed a high-quality boutique residential dwelling with environmentally sensitive standards, allowing the building to “breathe” and promoting healthy wellbeing for its residents.
The old building on Dudley Street Photo Credit: Jonathan Sri/Google Street View
Community engagements were conducted in the previous year before the filing of the development application but the plans have drawn a number of protests, particularly from the people who run the Kuripla Garden on Boundary Street. The garden was established in 2020, as a response to food insecurity during the pandemic.
Highlights
A development application to demolish an old 14-unit building on Dudley Street has been filed with Council. It will be replaced by an 8-unit building with bigger spaces for larger families.
Operators of the neighbouring Kurilpa Garden have concerns about its impact on the community garden and affordable housing in the precint.
The developer said they did consultations with the community, including the garden operators, before filing the application
Its operators are opposing the development not only for the potential loss of the garden but for the “mass gentrification” that would reduce the number of affordable homes in Highgate Hill.
“The new development application isn’t sticking to the LMR2 zoning. The proposal is for a 4 to 5-storey building with eight 3-bedroom apartments,” Cr Jonathan Sri wrote.
“Not only does the newer development have fewer overall dwellings, but they are large, high-end apartments which target a very different demographic – extremely wealthy downsizers. The new apartments will probably sell for at least $1 million, perhaps significantly more considering that they have river views and are located at the ‘quiet’ end of West End.”
Sri further stated that the development will “have tangible negative impacts” on the neighbouring green space as the bulk of the new building will overshadow the garden and reduce the sunlight necessary for urban farming. The councillor also assessed that the development will entail digging through Boundary Street, disturbing the roots of the trees in the garden.
Photo Credit: Developmenti/BCC
Bluebird, however, said that they have engaged with Sri and the garden operators a number of times, assuring that the garden will be reinstated and provided with more resources. The developer said it will offset the cost of lost production during the construction phase and has offered to “formalise” the garden’s operation.
The development application has gained some support from the neighbours.
“This is not only a win for the surrounding environment but also for the residents who will benefit from reduced energy costs. I’m a big believer in the proper disposal of waste, especially in apartments where composting can be difficult. It’s wonderful that there will be green waste and composting facilities incorporated in communal areas. More developments like this, please,” one local wrote in the submissions.
Other supporters said that the proposal is sensible and will create bigger apartments for families, which are currently in high demand but underserved in Highgate Hill.
The proposal is awaiting a decision from the Council.
