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Layla Adds Chef-Driven Middle Eastern Flavours To West End

Layla has added a chef-led Middle Eastern restaurant to West End, placing Shane Delia’s cooking inside the Queensland Ballet’s Thomas Dixon Centre.

Layla Opening

Layla began trading in March 2025, at the Thomas Dixon Centre in West End. The restaurant operates as a full-service venue within the heritage-listed cultural site, which houses rehearsal studios and performance spaces for the Queensland Ballet.

Layla forms part of the centre’s hospitality offering and adds another dining option to a suburb known for independent food businesses and arts activity. The location supports both local foot traffic and visitors attending events within the precinct.

Chef And Food Direction

The kitchen is led by Melbourne-based chef Shane Delia. His food draws on Middle Eastern flavours within a modern Australian style. The menu focuses on shared dining. It features small plates, grilled items and larger dishes for the table.

Hummus plays a central role. It appears in several versions and stands as a core menu item. Other small plates include Turkish-style beef dumplings with yoghurt and spiced butter. Vegetable-filled briwat pastries also appear. Flatbreads arrive for dipping and sharing.

The menu extends to charcoal-grilled and slow-cooked mains. The restaurant lists slow-roasted lamb shoulder, coal-grilled swordfish and a house butter chicken. The overall offering centres on familiar Middle Eastern flavours in a sit-down setting.

Recognition and Events

In 2025, Layla received the Best New Restaurant Opening award from Sitchu. The recognition followed strong early demand and positive public response. The restaurant also hosts ticketed dining events.

book a table

This includes a New Year’s Eve premium feast priced at $145 per person, promoted as a seated, set-menu experience with limited availability. These events sit alongside regular service and reinforce Layla’s positioning as a destination for planned dining occasions.

Community Impact And Local Reception

Layla sits in a part of West End where food venues mix with creative and cultural spaces. Early public reviews point to a shared plates menu and steady service.

The restaurant draws locals and visitors attending events at the Thomas Dixon Centre. Layla operates as a neighbourhood restaurant focused on communal dining and Middle Eastern flavours.

Published 20-December-2025

Function Well Plans Large Wellness Hub For West End

Photo Credit: Function Well

Function Well plans a four-level wellness hub for West End residents inside the West Village precinct, bringing training, recovery and community spaces together in one site.

A New Wellness Destination For West End

The flagship facility is scheduled to open in April 2026 and will cover about 3000 square metres inside the growing West Village neighbourhood. Information from the brand and local lifestyle publications shows the West End location is designed as a place where people can train, recover and spend time with others without leaving the building.

The hub includes a 24/7 gym floor and five studios for Pilates, yoga and other group sessions. Reports describe the yoga space as heated and immersive, and note that the Pilates studio will include reformer equipment. These features make the facility large in scale and wide in scope for the surrounding community.

Focus On Recovery And Balance

Sources note that the West End site will offer a wide range of recovery services for both active members and people seeking restorative care. Planned rooms include saunas, hot and cold plunge pools, compression therapy areas, private recovery suites and red light therapy.

A dedicated Recovery Cave is described as a recovery space for rest after training. Brand materials outline four pillars, mindset, movement, nutrition and restoration, as the base of the West End project. The goal is to balance high-intensity training with structured recovery routines for a range of health needs.

Everyday Convenience For Local Residents

Function Well states that the hub will serve as more than a fitness venue, with a café set to provide nutrient dense food and drinks for members throughout the day. A Business and Social Lounge is also planned to give people space to work, study or meet neighbours between sessions.

This approach reflects a trend toward health spaces that support daily routines rather than single-purpose visits. Located inside the West Village precinct, the site is likely to attract residents, workers and students seeking a facility that fits busy schedules.

Community Impact And Next Steps

Local lifestyle coverage highlights the project as a significant addition to West End, noting the size of the build and the variety of services planned. Function Well has opened a waitlist for foundation memberships so people can receive updates as construction moves forward.

Pricing has not been released. The range of services indicates a higher-end offering aimed at ongoing community use. The hub will provide locals access to structured fitness, recovery options and social spaces in one location.

Published 08-December-2025

Man Dies in Retaining Wall Collapse, Stepson Saved

Photo Credit: Facebook / Kimura Dixon

A 45-year-old man has died and his 19-year-old stepson seriously injured after a retaining wall collapsed at a social housing construction site in West End on Tuesday morning.

Kimura Dixon was working at the Boundary Street site when the wall gave way just before 8:30am. Emergency services declared him dead at the scene.

His stepson, who was working in a shallow trench about one metre from the boundary wall, became trapped from the waist down. The teenager spent more than an hour pinned beneath the rubble before being freed by emergency crews.

Queensland Police Inspector Chris Pemberton credited the quick thinking of six co-workers and four police officers who arrived first on scene with saving the young man’s life.

“The 19-year-old male had a large amount of concrete on his chest which was restricting his breathing,” Inspector Pemberton said. “Those workers and the four attending police removed that concrete prior to the arrival of anyone else, which would have saved his life.”

The teenager was transported to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in a serious but stable condition following what emergency services described as a “prolonged extrication”.

Queensland Fire Department Acting Inspector Marc O’Brien described the rescue operation as “tricky”, with crews using equipment typically deployed in disaster zones to monitor the site’s safety during the extraction. Large pieces of plywood were placed over open trenches to ensure the safety of emergency service workers.

“We offer condolences to family, friends and workmates,” Acting Inspector O’Brien said.

Eight workers were on site at the time of the incident. Inspector Pemberton said the tragedy was particularly difficult given the proximity to Christmas and the fact the two victims were known to each other.

At least one resident living adjacent to the construction site was asked to evacuate due to safety concerns about their property.

Rhett, who lives next door to the scene, told ABC Radio Brisbane that police knocked on doors asking residents to leave immediately over fears of further structural issues.

Boundary Street remains closed between Melbourne Street and Edmondstone Street, with motorists advised to avoid the area.

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland has launched an investigation into the incident, with Queensland Police preparing a report for the coroner.

Published 2-December-2025

Christmas Cheer Takes Over Davies Park at West End Christmas Twilight Market

Davies Park is set to shimmer under twinkling lights, as the West End Christmas Twilight Market bursts to life with festive flavour, family fun, and over 150 stalls celebrating Brisbane’s vibrant creative community.

Running from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, 5 December, the event promises an evening of handcrafted gifts, gourmet street food, live entertainment, and more than a little Christmas mischief courtesy of Santa himself.

Visitors can wander through a sprawling marketplace filled with artisan wares, handmade treasures, and unique stocking stuffers crafted by local makers. Whether you’re seeking a meaningful, locally made Christmas gift or simply soaking up the festive buzz, the twilight market delivers a warm, welcoming atmosphere that captures the spirit of West End.

Foodies can indulge in dishes from some of SEQ’s favourite street food vendors, including Barbie on Charcoal, Kaysers Smoke Train, and Cup & Cone Ice Cream Co., alongside a range of global flavours that reflect the neighbourhood’s cultural diversity. A dedicated North Pole pop-up bar will keep spirits merry with Blood Orange Spritz and icy brews ideal for a balmy Brisbane evening.

Entertainment is set to be a highlight of the night, with TRACE Cover Band providing live festive tunes, supported by roving performers and a lively Kids’ Disco guaranteed to get Brisbane’s littlest elves dancing. And, in true Christmas tradition, Santa Claus will be making special appearances for photos, laughs, and a few cheeky “naughty or nice” check-ins.

Adding to the excitement, visitors can enter multiple competitions for the chance to win prizes, including a $200 gourmet hamper, dinner for four, and a $200 bar tab, simply by registering or interacting with event links.

Presented by Goodwill Projects — one of Queensland’s leading event organisers — the West End Christmas Twilight Market continues the area’s legacy of community connection, creativity, and weekend market culture. With free entry and entertainment for all ages, it’s set to be a highlight on Brisbane’s festive calendar.

Published 3-Dec-2025

Kurilpa Bridge Among Top 10 Unsafe Spots for Cyclists

Kurilpa Bridge has been named one of the 10 most dangerous roads for cyclists in Brisbane according to user data from the interactive map app BikeSpot.

Read: Resilient Kurilpa Leads New Push to Strengthen Flood Readiness in Brisbane’s Inner West

The bridge, opened in 2009, came in at number six on the list due to its 10km/h speed limit which many cyclists find unreasonable. One BikeSpot user reported receiving a $464 fine for travelling at a ‘jogging pace.’

Queensland Transport and Main Roads’ own guidelines state bicycles can become unstable below 11km/h, yet they still advocate for speeds of 15-25 km/h on well-designed bike paths. This had led many cyclists to either ignore the limit or avoid the bridge completely.

Photo credit: Zeglar “Zeg” fergus/Google Maps

“The 10 kph speed limit is unreasonable. It causes bike riders to either ignore the speed limit or avoid this bridge and take alternate routes which are often less safe,” one user commented on BikeSpot.

Some have suggested raising the limit to 20km/h to match the nearby Goodwill Bridge.

The $63.3 million Kurilpa Bridge, dubbed the world’s largest tensegrity pedestrian and cycle bridge, was designed to be a green transportation link but the ultra-low speed limit makes it challenging for cyclists to utilise.

Besides Kurilpa Bridge, other Brisbane roads, including Sylvan Road in Toowong, the Western Fwy Bikeway, and Dickson St in Wooloowin were flagged as top danger zones by app users.

About BikeSpot

BikeSpot is a joint initiative between CrowdSpot and the Amy Gillett Foundation, funded by the Australian Government’s Safe Cycling Program.

In 2005, elite cyclist Amy Gillett was on a training ride in Germany with five of her Australian teammates when tragedy struck. A car collided with the group, killing the 29-year-old Gillett while her teammates survived. Her shocking death sent waves through the international cycling community.

Gillett was an accomplished rider who competed for Australia. She also mentored younger athletes and advocated tirelessly for rider safety. News of the fatal crash and her death at just 29 years old sparked an outpouring of grief across the cycling world.

The accident itself highlighted the dangers riders face on public roads.

The interactive map allows cyclists to identify roads they consider safe or dangerous to ride. By crowdsourcing data from riders, BikeSpot 2023 aims to provide insights into cycling safety issues across communities.

Read: Montague Road Named One of the Coolest Streets in the World in West End

Published 20-November-2025

Resilient Kurilpa Leads New Push to Strengthen Flood Readiness in Brisbane’s Inner West

Photo Credit: Queensland Government

Resilient Kurilpa has brought residents together with one clear purpose, to strengthen flood readiness across the Kurilpa Peninsula and help apartment communities understand the risk where they live.

Growing From Local Need

The initiative grew after the February 2022 floods, when high-density buildings in West End and South Brisbane recorded widespread damage. It later received recognition through the 2025 Queensland Resilient Australia Awards for its community-driven work.

19 of 57 apartment buildings were affected. Many residents had limited awareness of their flood risk before the event. Local groups and volunteers formed Resilient Kurilpa to address these gaps by sharing practical information and encouraging connections between neighbours. Their aim focused on simple preparation steps suited to dense urban living.

Tools Built For Apartment Communities

Resilient Kurilpa developed online guides, workshops and planning templates designed for apartment buildings. These resources explained topics such as flood planning for body corporates, steps renters can take and the basics of flood insurance.

The group also created an Apartment Flood Mitigation Plan that helps buildings outline who does what before, during and after a flood. The program delivered learning sessions in person and online to reach as many households as possible.

Inclusion At The Centre

The organisers shaped the project to support a wide mix of residents. They prepared accessible materials for culturally diverse households and people with disability. They also included guidance for renters who often move more often than owner occupiers.

Queensland Health supported the program by providing psychological first aid training, which helped residents learn how to support each other after stressful events. The organisers encouraged a community approach so people felt informed rather than isolated.

Recognition For Community Effort

The work of Resilient Kurilpa was acknowledged through the Community Award at the 2025 Queensland Resilient Australia Awards. Judges noted the focus on simple, practical steps designed by the community for their own neighbourhood.

The project later moved to the national stage as a finalist. Residents involved in the program highlighted how local knowledge and shared tools made preparation easier across apartment buildings.

Published 19-November-2025

Montague Road Named One of the Coolest Streets in the World in West End

Photo Credit: Traders in Purple

Montague Road in West End is Australia’s coolest street in Time Out’s 2025 ranking and is also the sixth coolest street in the world, recognised for its cultural venues, food scene and community activity.

West End’s Changing Streetscape

The 2025 global list released on 19 November 2025 placed Montague Road ahead of notable streets in cities including Berlin, New York and Tokyo. The street was once a quieter industrial area on the river side of West End before developing into a creative and hospitality-focused precinct. Its location provides a direct connection towards South Bank and QAGOMA.

Brisbane culture — Photo Credit: Google Maps

Cultural and Creative Venues in West End

Montague Road is home to several major cultural organisations. At one end, the restored Thomas Dixon Centre houses Queensland Ballet. Further along, Queensland Theatre draws audiences to its South Brisbane base. Independent creative venue Vacant Assembly contributes to the area’s cultural identity through life drawing sessions, exhibitions and pop-up markets.

Recreation-based venues such as axe-throwing facilities, rock climbing spaces and wellness studios including TH7 add to the diversity of activities. Mappin’s Nursery hosts terrarium and ikebana workshops, strengthening the street’s creative appeal.

Brisbane lifestyle — Photo Credit: Google Maps

Food and Drink on Montague Road

The street’s food and café culture played a significant part in its global ranking. Coffee Mentality, recognised with a major national coffee award for 2025, is one of its standout stops. Superthing, known for its pastries including a strawberries and cream croissant, is another popular spot.

Layla operates from a heritage-listed former boot factory serving Middle Eastern dishes. Coredeaux Social Club offers daytime café service and a wine bar at night. Other venues along Montague Road include +81 Aizome, Kor-Dak, La Macelleria, Tom’s Kitchen, Banette Bistro, Come to Daddy, BK Pizzeria, Veneziano Coffee, Ash & Monties Espresso Bar, Triton Food Brokers and Marcia’s on Montague.

*Photo Credit: Cordeaux Social Club/Facebook*

Markets and Community Activity

The West End Markets at Davies Park remain a key attraction each weekend, drawing steady crowds with fresh produce, food stalls and local makers. Nearby, the Gas Stripping Tower stands as the only remaining example of its type in Australia, adding heritage interest to the precinct.

How Montague Road Compares Globally

Montague Road ranked just behind streets in Rio de Janeiro, Osaka, Porto, Chengdu and Montreal. It placed ahead of well-known locations in Berlin, New York, Paris and Tokyo. Within Australia, the only other street included in the 2025 list was Swan Street in Melbourne, ranked 29th globally.

Outlook

Montague Road’s recognition reflects its role as a cultural, community and hospitality hub within West End. With established arts venues, diverse dining options, long-running markets and boutique businesses, the street continues to attract locals and visitors exploring the suburb.

Published 20-Nov-2025

Senior Australian Of The Year Nominee Recognised In West End

Photo Credit: Australian of The Year

A long-serving social justice advocate from West End has been named among Queensland’s nominees for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards.

Background On The 2026 Awards

Queensland nominees for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards were announced ahead of the state ceremony held on 12 November 2025 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. The recipients will go on to represent Queensland at the national announcement on 25 January 2026 in Canberra.

Karyn Walsh AM, based in West End, was listed as one of four nominees for the 2026 Senior Australian of the Year for Queensland.

West End Nominee’s Career And Contribution

Walsh is the CEO and co-founder of Micah Projects, an organisation established in 1995 to support people experiencing adversity. Her work has focused on housing, healthcare and social supports for Queenslanders facing homelessness, domestic violence, mental illness and substance use.

Her roles have included serving as president of the Queensland Council of Social Services. She was recognised with an honorary Doctor of Social Work and Nursing in 2016 and an honorary Professorship of Social Work in 2025. She also became a Member of the Order of Australia in 2017.

State Recipients For 2026 Announced

Queensland’s 2026 award recipients were confirmed on 12 November 2025. Cheryl Harris OAM was named the Senior Australian of the Year for Queensland. Walsh remained one of the recognised nominees for her long-standing work in social justice and community support.

Queensland nominees — *Photo Credit: QLD Gov/Facebook*

Wider Nominee List For Queensland

Other nominees in the Senior Australian of the Year category included Gerald Garard and Habib Mahomed Jamal. The nominees across all categories represented fields such as mobile health care, volunteer engagement, multicultural advocacy, conservation and community recycling initiatives, as outlined in the official announcements.

Ongoing Community Impact

Walsh continues her work with Micah Projects, which delivers support services aimed at addressing homelessness and social disadvantage. Her service remains widely acknowledged across the community sector.

Published 14-Nov-2025

Traders in Purple Lodges New Three-Tower Proposal in West End

Photo Credit: Traders in Purple

Traders in Purple has lodged amended plans for its recently acquired Montague Road site in West End, proposing three residential towers and new green links to Davies Park.

A Site with a Long Design History

The 1.6-hectare landholding at 281–297 Montague Road has seen multiple iterations over recent years. The site was formerly owned by Sydney-based Henroth Group, which in 2020 sought approval for two 24-storey residential towers comprising 470 apartments.

BCC later approved a reduced scheme in 2023 for two towers of 18 and 20 storeys and 345 apartments. Earlier still, Henroth’s original submission featured five buildings between six and twelve storeys with 434 dwellings. The company eventually redirected its attention to another project in New South Wales before selling the West End property to Traders in Purple in May 2025 for an undisclosed amount.

Brisbane development — Photo Credit: Traders in Purple

A New Plan for Montague Road

Under the revised concept, Traders in Purple proposes three slimmer towers rising 19, 18 and 16 storeys, delivering 403 apartments across the 1.6-hectare site. The plan aims to open the previously private land to the public with heavily landscaped walkways connecting Montague Road to Davies Park for the first time.

These green corridors will include seating areas, tropical planting, and active retail spaces suited to cafés, restaurants, and local services. About 15 per cent of the site will be allocated for public use, including an extension to Davies Park and provisions for future widening of Montague Road.

Architecture Rooted in Local Character

Rothelowman Architects has designed the project to echo the features of classic Queenslander homes. The tower facing Davies Park will include a rotunda at ground level with decorative screening reminiscent of traditional timber façades.

The design introduces a green pedestrian spine through the centre of the development, extending the vibrancy of Vulture Street into Davies Park and towards the Brisbane River. The proposal focuses on connecting residents and visitors through open, shaded pathways and landscaped gathering areas.

Meeting Demand for Diverse Housing

The proposed dwellings will range from one to three bedrooms, targeting a broad spectrum of buyers including first home seekers, working couples, families and downsizers. The development also plans to incorporate shared resident amenities to support social connection within the precinct.

Traders in Purple noted that West End’s median house price, now around $1.86 million, has created barriers to entry for many. The apartment mix is expected to provide a more attainable option for those wanting to live close to the inner city while still enjoying the suburb’s established community and riverside setting.

Strengthening the West End Precinct

This proposal marks Traders in Purple’s sixteenth project in Queensland and its second in West End, following the launch of Rivara earlier this year, where strong early sales reflected continuing demand for local apartment living.

The Montague Road site’s proximity to the CBD, riverfront, and public transport positions it as a key infill location supporting sustainable urban growth. The emphasis on green links and public access aligns with broader renewal efforts occurring throughout the inner south.

What Happens Next

The amended development application is under assessment by BCC. If approved, the three-tower scheme will transform the former Henroth site into a mixed-use residential precinct integrating public green space, retail activity, and enhanced pedestrian connections to Davies Park.

Published 5-Nov-2025

Final Piece of $1.2B West Village Masterplan Under Construction in West End

West End has reached a defining milestone with the start of construction on Callista on Park — the final piece of the $1.2-billion West Village urban renewal masterplan. The 14-storey tower beside Mollison Park completes a decade of work transforming the historic Peters Ice Cream site into a mixed community of almost 1,000 apartments, townhouses, retail and dining spaces, and a new commercial centre in the inner city.

Completing a Decade of Renewal

The West Village project began more than 10 years ago with a vision to blend heritage, housing and green space in one of Brisbane’s oldest neighbourhoods. Now, with Callista on Park under construction beside Mollison Park, that vision is nearing completion.

Callista on Park, West Village, West End — Photo Credit: Supplied

Developed by Sekisui House Australia, Callista on Park brings 96 new residences to West End and finalises the masterplan that introduced new green areas and more than 35 retail, dining and health operators to the precinct. Project Director Taku Hashimoto said the final stage reflects the company’s long-held commitment to sustainability, design quality and community connection — values that have guided every phase of the redevelopment.

Generations of Building in West End

Hutchinson Builders, one of Australia’s oldest family-owned construction companies, is leading the build. The company worked on the original Peters Ice Cream factory in 1943 and has been involved in every stage of West Village since 2015. Chairman Scott Hutchinson described the project as a proud continuation of the company’s presence in West End, where it first operated a yard on Montague Road in the 1920s.

This partnership has anchored the redevelopment in local history, linking the area’s industrial past to its new role as a connected inner-city neighbourhood. The precinct sits about 800 metres from Brisbane’s CBD, with a 99/100 walk score and direct access to South Bank via the River Walk — features that have helped make it a practical hub for residents, workers and visitors alike.

Design for Urban Living

Callista on Park has been designed by architecture firm Rothelowman, with apartments positioned to maximise natural light and capture northern and eastern views across the Brisbane CBD. Plans include a rooftop conservatory where wildflowers will grow among grassed areas, along with an infinity pool, spa, BBQ zones, a lounge and a private dining room with a chef’s kitchen.

Apartments are oriented to suit Brisbane’s subtropical lifestyle, and West Village has received 59 local and national awards for its approach to urban renewal and community design.

The Final Chapter of the Masterplan

Construction on Callista on Park is expected to finish in late 2027. Prices start at about $2.4 million for three-bedroom homes, with penthouses reaching around $9 million. A display suite has opened on site in collaboration with Rothelowman.

For Sekisui House, this final stage represents the completion of the entire West Village masterplan — a decade-long, $1.2 billion redevelopment that turned a former industrial block into a connected, walkable community that will continue to serve Brisbane for generations to come.

Published 7-Oct-2025