Yuggera people of Meanijn
Queensland
Brisbane
Golden Avenue is an ambitious hospitality destination in the heart of Brisbane’s CBD. Designed as a lush, generous, open-air courtyard for the city, the “Brisbane’s Babylon” design of Golden Avenue carves out a sliver of shade within the sunshine state, champions the local climate, and marks a significant inflection point in Brisbane's evolving hospitality scene.
Golden Avenue is a sanctuary of reprieve amidst the concrete jungle. A building that is fully naturally ventilated and climatically responsive.
Golden Avenue delivers a visceral reinterpretation of a Middle Eastern garden. The natural lighting and ventilation create an immersive experience that responds to its subtropical, CBD setting. Every experience and transition is considered – from the garden gate entry to the bar, to the back of house spaces. Idiosyncratic detailing continues through to custom furniture and fittings that experiment with granite, glass, and timber. At Golden Avenue, functional requirements are incorporated within the conceptual framework rather than being adjunct to it.
The GHM Addison Award for Interior Architecture
Golden Avenue offers a bold and indelible contribution to Queensland’s hospitality scene. The interior effortlessly combines the relaxed nature of a Queensland outdoor room with the opulent and materially rich qualities of the Gardens of Babylon. The outdoors is pulled inside with integrated landscape, open-air skylights, and cooling thermal mass. The project harnesses natural light as an integral element to the interior, using time of day, and seasonal variation to enhance experience.
Dining areas cascade over two levels, creating height and volume, with tables dotted between landscape, light wells, balconies, alcoves and level changes. The project’s interiors are curated with an extraordinary level of detail, bringing bespoke furniture, landscape, lighting and elegant joinery into a cohesive whole. The materially rich interior balances the delicacy of Murano glass alongside the robust qualities of concrete, granite and marble. The interior establishes a quality of decadent subterranean permanence and durability.
Despite significant constraints including heritage considerations, fire separation requirements, code compliance and the integration of servicing across three buildings, the project resolves back-of-house operations with remarkable efficiency, allowing the hospitality experience to remain effortless and immersive. The result is a climatically unique, highly resolved and memorable venue, and an institution in the making.
Commendation for Interior Architecture
Golden Avenue delivers a visceral reinterpretation of a Middle Eastern garden. The natural lighting and ventilation create an immersive experience that responds to its subtropical, CBD setting. Every experience and transition is considered – from the garden gate entry to the bar, to the back of house spaces. Idiosyncratic detailing continues through to custom furniture and fittings that experiment with granite, glass, and timber. At Golden Avenue, functional requirements are incorporated within the conceptual framework rather than being adjunct to it.
The GHM Addison Award for Interior Architecture
Golden Avenue offers a bold and indelible contribution to Queensland’s hospitality scene. The interior effortlessly combines the relaxed nature of a Queensland outdoor room with the opulent and materially rich qualities of the Gardens of Babylon. The outdoors is pulled inside with integrated landscape, open-air skylights, and cooling thermal mass. The project harnesses natural light as an integral element to the interior, using time of day, and seasonal variation to enhance experience.
Dining areas cascade over two levels, creating height and volume, with tables dotted between landscape, light wells, balconies, alcoves and level changes. The project’s interiors are curated with an extraordinary level of detail, bringing bespoke furniture, landscape, lighting and elegant joinery into a cohesive whole. The materially rich interior balances the delicacy of Murano glass alongside the robust qualities of concrete, granite and marble. The interior establishes a quality of decadent subterranean permanence and durability.
Despite significant constraints including heritage considerations, fire separation requirements, code compliance and the integration of servicing across three buildings, the project resolves back-of-house operations with remarkable efficiency, allowing the hospitality experience to remain effortless and immersive. The result is a climatically unique, highly resolved and memorable venue, and an institution in the making.
Golden Avenue works incredibly well for us as a venue. The variety of dining spaces, bars and event areas means we can easily shift from daytime trade to after-work drinks and late-night crowds, keeping the business active all day. Back-of-house is efficient and discreet, so operations run smoothly without interrupting the guest experience. The open-air design creates a great atmosphere people want to spend time in, while also reducing reliance on air conditioning. Durable materials and custom details keep maintenance manageable and help us stand out. It’s become a destination that attracts people in and keeps them coming back.
Jared Webb, Project Architect
Oliver Mabbutt, Graduate of Architecture
BSE, Hydraulic Consultant
SOHO Sound, AV Consultant
DEQ Consulting Engineers, Structural Engineer
Vault Heritage, Heritage Consultant
Plan A, Town Planner
JALA, Landscape Consultant