Grants and incentives are being offered to retailers to establish at Portside Wharf in Brisbane as part of a $20 million enhancement program revitalising the mixed-use riverfront precinct ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Summer Olympics.

Portside Wharf is located on the Brisbane River in the blue chip suburb of Hamilton and is home to eight completed residential buildings and more than 20 retailers including fine dining restaurants, cafes, eateries, boutique fashion, health and beauty, an IGA supermarket and Dendy Cinema. The mixed-use development is the beating heart of the greater Northshore Hamilton urban renewal project – one of the largest of its kind currently being undertaken in Brisbane.

Up to 23 packages, ranging from $50,000 to $500,000, will be available under the initiative which aims to curate a thriving and carefully aligned mix of retailers in the waterfront village.

Brookfield Properties Executive Vice President Lee Butterworth said the grants and incentives program was envisioned as a way of partnering with retailers who shared its vision for the beloved riverside village.

“The idea behind the program is to carefully curate the village mix. We want to work with like-minded operators who will become an integral part of Hamilton and Brisbane at large,” he said.

“There are some 9,000 residents in Hamilton with another 4,700 people working in the 20 minute neighbourhood, and those numbers are expected to surge as we move closer to the Games.”

“This is our way of ensuring we bring the right partners to Portside and inject new energy into our village by the water. We’ll be making opportunities available for established businesses, emerging businesses and entrepreneurs.”

Butterworth said retailers across five categories – health and wellness, waterfront dining, local social hub, lifestyle boutique and curated convenience – were invited to apply, with the grants funnelled into areas most helpful.

“This might include assisting with the cost of establishing and fitting-out, designs costs, marketing support, or any aspect that would benefit each retailer in locating,” he said.

The first stage of the village revitalisation kicked off in 2023, attracting a string of new retailers to the village including fine dining seafood restaurant Fosh, helmed by leading Brisbane restaurateur Michael Tassis, French boulangerie and salon de thé Rise Bakery, yakitori bar Bird’s Nest and artisanal gelato store Rosé Gelateria.

Modern family-friendly sushi restaurant Choo Choo Sushi opened its doors early this month (1 February), with advanced fit-out underway on multi-regional Chinese restaurant Uncle Wang – its second venue in Brisbane following its success at The Barracks – and Sugee Ramen, both set to open in the coming weeks.

Tassis Group director Michael Tassis, who is behind the Fosh and Fosh Tails eateries, said all expectations had ‘been blown out of the water’ since opening.

“We’ve been embraced by the local community, for both our up-market riverfront dining and take-away experiences, which demonstrates the pent-up demand for new retail offerings in this one-of-a-kind location,” he said.

All Stars Hospitality Group co-directors Justin Kong and Patrick Donohue have also signed a lease for a 224m2 retail space in the riverfront village, with fit-out to commence in mid-March ahead of an anticipated June opening.

Since founding All Stars Hospitality Group just five years ago, the pair have launched an array of popular venues across Brisbane including Wonderland Nightclub, Ling Lings Bar, Cindy Chow’s Cocktail Bar and Soul Pantry.

Portside Social

Kong said Portside Wharf presented significant potential now and into the future, with its riverfront locale at the centre of one of the city’s fastest-growing inner precincts.

“I live locally and think it’s such an incredible location,” he said.

“There’s a diverse demographic in and around Hamilton, who will benefit from having a bar like Portside Social in the mix, with few venues of this kind available in the area.”

Butterworth said Portside Social was the ideal addition to Portside Wharf, as it continued to reaffirm its position as a locals’ village.

“As its name suggests, Portside Social will be a place for the community to come together and will complement our retail mix, which includes restaurants, cafes, an IGA supermarket, cinema, gym, wellness and boutiques,” he said.

Retailers are invited to lodge an expression of interest before 19 April.