Fringe Benefits
Once-neglected corners of Brisbane’s fringe have been awoken by vibrant mixed-use developments. The latest Property Council Retail breakfast explored what the future holds for the retail sector in these integrated precincts.
Three presentations, offering different perspectives on the central topic, provided guests with interesting insights into the challenge and opportunities of providing fresh retail offerings in an existing urban context.
Andrew Hay, Project Director – Brisbane Showgrounds with Lendlease, spoke to the resurgence of High Street retailing and the lessons drawn from his experience on the RNA Showgrounds project. Andrew argued that it is not so much that retail is changing, but society is changing as a whole and retail is simply keeping pace. Layering, public art, transport links and density were just some of the ingredients Andrew outlined as requirements to create an authentic urban space and achieve an engaging retailing offer in the urban environment.
Chris Carrigan, Senior Asset Manager – Mulpha, provided an overview of Gasworks at Newstead. The strong performance of the Gasworks precinct was attributed to the mixed approach of embracing innovation while maintaining consistency with traditional marketplace principles. The co-location of economic drivers has led to multiple peak trading periods at Gasworks which has been a significant contributor to the centre’s success. Chris drew parallels between Gasworks and Mulpha’s planned Norwest Marketown project in Sydney, outlining the lessons that will be transposed to the new development.
Siobhan Greathead, Development Manager – Retirement with Aveo Group, explored how the growth in the retirement living sector will impact on future mixed-use developments, and what that impact will mean for the retail offer. Siobhan provided an overview of Aveo’s new retirement village development at Gasworks and the challenges of co-locating retirement developments in mixed-use centres.
Following the presentations, the speakers formed a panel for a Q&A discussion moderated by Andrew Hogg, National Director – Retail with Savills Project Management. The panel outlined the increasingly detailed level of curation required to achieve the modern standard for a retailing precinct.
The Property Council would like to thank the speakers, along with the series’ sponsors Urbis and Yardi, for making this event possible.
As this was the last retail event for 2016, the Property Council would also like to thank outgoing chairman of our Retail Committee, Andrew Hogg, who has made an invaluable contribution to the organisation’s capacity to serve the retail property sector.
Photos from the event can be accessed here.
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