Queen St Mall Vibrancy Has Faded after Removal of Retail Pods + Ways to Revitalise

Last updated: 29/01/25 I Brisbane Development

The Queen Street Mall, regarded as the beating heart of Brisbane’s CBD, has seen its vibrancy diminish in recent years. It now grapples with one of the highest retail vacancy rates in Australia, second only to Perth.

This downturn has been exacerbated by changes from Brisbane City Council, including the removal of popular retail pods as well as Myer’s shock exit which has significantly transformed the mall’s atmosphere and energy.

What were once bustling hubs of social and commercial activity within the mall itself have been replaced by empty concrete slabs, under-utilised spaces that seldom feature the promised pop-up activations. Today, the mall’s vacancy rate is a stark symbol of what happens when functional, communal spaces are replaced by a vision that lacks community appeal and activation.

While the Queen Street Mall still remains as Brisbane’s popular shopping strip, it was once far more vibrant and energetic than it is today. With its creativity waning, the mall risks becoming boring and stagnant—and we can certainly do better.

The Impact of Retail Pod Removals on Queen Street Mall by Brisbane City Council

Queen Street Mall’s retail pods were more than just food and drink vendors; they were social anchors for Brisbane’s residents and visitors. These pods provided essential amenities that contributed to the mall’s lively atmosphere, offering a place for people to meet, eat, and unwind.

They supported a diverse range of needs and tastes, from the Pig ‘N’ Whistle pub at the mall’s lower end, which became a popular spot for casual drinks and impromptu sporting matches, to the well known Rankins kiosk in the centre, a famous spot for late-night snacks and mingling.

Timeline of Key Pod Closures and Queen Street Mall’s Decline in Energy

Cafe East

• Pre-2014: Cafe East, a popular Mantle Group-owned Asian fusion cafe, operated late into the night. Located where Jimmy’s On The Mall now sits, it was a go-to dining spot.
• 2014: Plans emerged to consolidate Cafe East with the original Jimmy’s, a nearby bar and restaurant. Later that year, Cafe East closed, and Jimmy’s was relocated to a new two-storey pod on the Cafe East site, marking a shift in the mall’s vibrant, late-night offerings.

Jimmy’s Pod Demolition (2014)

The old Jimmy's cafe on Queen Street Mall in 2001. Image: Brisbane Times

The new Jimmy's on the Mall. Source: Hogg and Lamb

• The original Jimmy’s pod was demolished after the relocation, leaving an open space that drew fewer late-night visitors, marking one of the mall’s first major landscape changes.

Rankins News agency Kiosk

• 2018: Council’s closure of the Rankins NewsAgency kiosk, a convenient late-night stop and popular meeting spot, disappointed many locals. After its closure, the space was later replaced with a small seating area and fountain, which has become a favourite spot for bathing ibises, reducing its role as a social hub in the mall.

Pig ‘N’ Whistle

• 2023: In an unexpected move, council closed the Pig ‘N’ Whistle pub, a well-loved spot that animated the lower end of Queen Street Mall at night. The pod was removed and replaced with a bare concrete slab, lacking the vibrancy and purpose the pub once provided.

Milano Italian Restaurant

• 2023: Around the same time, council shut down Milano Italian Restaurant, a late-night dining venue at the top of the mall. Milano’s closure left behind an unshaded concrete area that is rarely used, aside from occasional food trucks on market days. Without Milano, this part of the mall has lost a key source of evening activity.

In September 2023, Deputy Mayor Krista Adams told Seven News, “The closure will mean new and exciting vendors and experiences in the mall regularly, such as a pop-up gin bar one week, a new tasting brewery the next or a fabulous array of food trucks,” Deputy Mayor Krista Adams said.

But that vision has been far from realised. The council’s hasty decision to remove the pods without community consultation, intended to modernise Queen Street Mall with flexible pop-up spaces. In reality, this approach has proven disappointing. Without consistent activation and management, these pop-up spaces sit idle, turning into empty, underused stretches of concrete that lack the energy and foot traffic the mall once enjoyed. With no regular programming, these vacant slabs now stand as stark reminders of the vibrancy the Queen Street Mall has lost.

For much of the year, they remain barren and unappealing, particularly on weekends and evenings times when the mall needs more activity after shops close. Instead, visitors are met with an unattractive void, closed shops and with fewer permanent amenities, there’s little reason for people to linger, leaving the mall sparse and uninviting. There was no care or consultation, council just ripped them out. Permanent is better in the case of Queen St Mall.

High Vacancy Rates: How Queen Street Mall Stacks Up Nationally

Current data reflects a concerning reality for Queen Street Mall. Vacancy rates across Australia’s retail centres are high, driven by challenges in the retail industry and changing consumer habits, yet Brisbane’s mall vacancy rates stand out. At present, Queen Street Mall is second only to Perth in its retail vacancies, with the recent departure of Myer from the city centre. Brisbane is now the only major capital city in Australia that doesn’t have a Myer department store in its city centre.

ISPT, which has been slow to advance its planned redevelopment of the Regent commercial tower 2.0, has also left the Wintergarden vacant for well over a year. Despite ongoing rumours of a redevelopment of the Hilton Hotel, no formal application has yet been submitted to council with virtually the entire shopping centre empty.

A 2024 report by the Australian Retailers Association noted that the vacancy rate for Queen Street Mall had surged to around 15%, with previously prime retail spots sitting empty for months on end.

The removal of well-loved retail and social hubs like the Pig ‘N’ Whistle and Rankins isn’t the only possible factor to contribute to the high retail vacancy but it has had an impact of stripping out the vibrancy and energy that the mall use to have, particularly at night.

When the shops closed, people still had a few places that were open. Now all that remains is the two story retail pod Jimmy’s on the mall, which, unsurprisingly is always packed. The same can’t be said to the bottom and the top of the mall in particular which is desolate and quiet after shops close at 5pm everyday except Friday.

A pedestrian mall at the heart of Queensland’s capital should embody the vibrancy and energy of a bustling city centre, reflecting the dynamic nature of a metropolis with millions of residents—not the subdued atmosphere of a small town.

Lessons from Overseas: How Global Retail Hubs Thrive

Queen Street Mall’s vacancy dilemma echoes similar challenges faced by retail centres worldwide, particularly as city centres struggle to adapt to the evolving needs of urban consumers. In cities like New York, London, and Tokyo, public spaces have been reimagined to create unique experiences that blend retail with community and culture.

For instance, New York’s Times Square, which previously faced its own vacancy and traffic issues, introduced pedestrian-friendly zones with permanent seating, pop-up vendors, and iconic gathering spaces like the red stairs. These installations, simple yet effective, have turned Times Square into a hub for tourists and locals alike, providing ample opportunity for people-watching, casual dining, and resting spots. By offering a mix of short-term vendors and long-term attractions, Times Square has managed to retain its status as a global landmark while catering to the needs of today’s visitors.

Similarly, Tokyo’s Shibuya district, another high-traffic retail area, has incorporated functional community spaces alongside its shops, adding cafés, rooftop terraces, and observation points. These additions encourage longer visits and provide visitors with versatile options for dining, resting, and exploring the surrounding area. In London, Covent Garden has successfully revitalised its public areas by integrating outdoor dining pods, live music areas, and social seating zones, blending permanent retail with engaging, accessible spaces.

These global examples show the value of maintaining diverse, people-focused amenities, a principle Brisbane City Council should consider. They need to be injecting things into the mall not taking them away. There are no fresh ideas anymore and it is beginning to show.

Reimagining Queen Street Mall: Solutions to Restore Its Lost Energy

To address Queen Street Mall’s vacancy crisis and re-engage Brisbane’s community, a bold reimagining of its spaces could transform the shopping precinct into dynamic, experience-driven destinations. With consumer preferences shifting towards experiential dining, entertainment, and immersive retail, the mall must evolve to meet these expectations. Theming, fit-outs, and the overall atmosphere are now pivotal to creating a sense of place that resonates with visitors. Below are some strategies to revitalise the mall and make it a hub of activity once more.

Reintroduce Permanent Pods: Brisbane residents crave engaging experiences and visual appeal. Incorporating better architectural designs, art installations, and spaces for unique retail, food, and drink concepts could create a dynamic, ever-evolving precinct. Creativity should drive this initiative, ensuring the pods offer more than just products—they should deliver memorable experiences.

Curate the Retail Mix: Adopting a model like South Bank Corporation’s, the mall could benefit from tighter control over its retail offerings. Ground-floor spaces should prioritise engaging and experiential tenants, actively discouraging traditional 9-5pm operating banks and telcos from occupying key frontages of the mall. Additionally, encouraging late-night trading would infuse the mall with after-hours energy and attract a broader demographic.

Develop Unique Retail Concepts: Council and private sector collaboration could unlock innovative ideas for the mall. Leasing out spaces to operators who can deliver unexpected, out-of-the-box retail and entertainment offerings would set the precinct apart. Potential concepts could include:

1. Themed Active Spaces: A Jacaranda-Inspired Cafe/Bar

Embracing Brisbane’s iconic jacaranda season, the Jacaranda Café could be a floral-themed coffee spot with purple accents, jacaranda-inspired decor, and open-air seating. Serving light meals, local desserts, and quality coffee, the Jacaranda Café would offer a peaceful retreat in the heart of the city, adding a visually striking and Instagram-friendly spot that appeals to both tourists and locals.

2. Rankins with a Twist: A News Broadcast Pod

Bringing back the iconic Rankins kiosk could revitalise the mall with a new twist. This Rankins 2.0 could feature a small broadcast studio above, streaming live news, weather updates, and major Brisbane events, especially in the lead up to Brisbane 2032. The ground level could retain Rankins’ style late-night news agency but the addition of a modern broadcast hub would provide a uniquely interactive experience, drawing in passersby and creating a sense of connection with Brisbane’s pulse.

3. Stairs for People Watching

Installing a tiered seating area in Queen Street Mall could transform the vacant space into a social hub for people-watching, resting, and gathering. Located centrally, these stairs would invite visitors to sit and soak up the mall’s activity, offering a simple yet effective way to encourage community engagement and revitalise the space.

Additionally, the seating area could serve as a prime location for viewing Brisbane 2032 Olympic events, bringing the community together to celebrate and share in the excitement. The stairs would become a go-to meeting point and landmark, naturally increasing foot traffic around the central mall area.

4. Another Jimmy’s / 24-Hour Destination Restaurant and Bar

Queen Street Mall needs a 24-hour venue that embraces Brisbane’s unique culinary culture and character. This restaurant and bar would serve dishes inspired by local produce and Queensland’s food culture, offering a lively gathering point for night owls, tourists, and locals alike.

By operating around the clock, it would help maintain the mall’s energy and invite more visitors during off-peak hours, reinforcing Queen Street Mall as a destination that’s active and welcoming at any time of day.

5. A New Tourist Information Centre

The concept for the Brisbane Tourist Information Hub in Queen Street Mall envisions a multi-level structure that showcases the city’s past and future. Designed with modern architecture infused with elements of Australian Indigenous culture, the hub would serve as a focal point in the city’s retail precinct. It would aim to provide visitors with essential information about Brisbane and the upcoming 2032 Olympic Games, establishing itself as a key landmark in the area. However, it might be more practical to house the centre in an existing building fronting Queen Street Mall, such as 130 Queen Street or within a future Wintergarden/Uptown redevelopment.

Moving Forward: Restoring Queen Street Mall as Brisbane’s Central Hub

The decision to remove the pods by council has contributed to Queen Street Mall’s recent lack of energy and vibrancy and a situation that calls for more than just short-term fixes. By reintroducing versatile 24-hour focused spaces like those suggested above, the mall could once again become a vibrant destination that blends retail with a sense of community and culture. Rather than vacant concrete slabs that have replaced active hubs that were once there, the Queen Street Mall could transform into a thriving space where people come together, engage with local businesses, and enjoy the diverse experiences that make Brisbane unique.

Insights from leading global retail hubs offer a valuable roadmap for revitalising Queen Street Mall, highlighting the importance of creating experience-driven spaces and themed areas. These enhancements could reinstate the vibrancy that once defined the mall, positioning it as the true heart of Brisbane’s retail and cultural landscape.

Author: Brisbane Development