Yuggera people of Meajin
Queensland
Brisbane
Lower Edward Street is a new hospitality destination designed as a lush, generous courtyard for the people of Brisbane, creating a sanctuary of reprieve amidst the concrete jungle surrounds. The venue is a vast, multi-level indoor/outdoor restaurant and bar quarter featuring garden-style terraces that celebrate Brisbane’s subtropical climate and elevate the city’s burgeoning dining scene. Lower Edward Street marks a renaissance for the city and a shift in the CBD’s typology, with a renewed focus on making the area a place for leisure. The project seeks to redefine the experience of being entertained outside with the open-air design, connecting dinners to context.
Lower Edward Street exemplifies a sophisticated architectural response that takes full advantage of its subtropical environment and existing site conditions. Through its assemblage of materials, naturally ventilated spaces, verdant courtyard gardens, and operable roof canopies, the project successfully elevates the dining and social experience for its users. The interplay of layered intimate and communal zones; considered detailing; and context-driven design delivers a setting that enriches the urban fabric of Brisbane’s CBD.Â
Award for Commercial Architecture
Lower Edward Street transforms a previously overlooked corner of Brisbane’s CBD into a vibrant civic courtyard, reconnecting people to the street, the sky and the city’s subtropical climate. Through a deft combination of urban repair and commercial ambition, the project creates a lively destination that extends the public life of the city beyond the building Envelope. Three buildings across two sites are stitched together into a single, seamlessly operating precinct. Operable roof canopies, naturally ventilated spaces and layered courtyard gardens create a comfortable environment throughout the year.
Drawing the character of the nearby City Botanic Gardens into the urban core, the landscape contributes to a rich sequence of outdoor rooms that remain active from morning to late evening. Positioned alongside the heritage-listed Coal Board House, the development responds to its context with confidence and restraint, complementing its historic neighbour while enriching the broader urban fabric. The jury recognises Lower Edward Street as exemplary proof that the value of architecture is measured twice over: in what it gives back to the city, and in the enduring success it creates for its owners, tenants and visitors.
Commendation for Commercial Architecture
Lower Edward Street exemplifies a sophisticated architectural response that takes full advantage of its subtropical environment and existing site conditions. Through its assemblage of materials, naturally ventilated spaces, verdant courtyard gardens, and operable roof canopies, the project successfully elevates the dining and social experience for its users. The interplay of layered intimate and communal zones; considered detailing; and context-driven design delivers a setting that enriches the urban fabric of Brisbane’s CBD.Â
Award for Commercial Architecture
Lower Edward Street transforms a previously overlooked corner of Brisbane’s CBD into a vibrant civic courtyard, reconnecting people to the street, the sky and the city’s subtropical climate. Through a deft combination of urban repair and commercial ambition, the project creates a lively destination that extends the public life of the city beyond the building Envelope. Three buildings across two sites are stitched together into a single, seamlessly operating precinct. Operable roof canopies, naturally ventilated spaces and layered courtyard gardens create a comfortable environment throughout the year.
Drawing the character of the nearby City Botanic Gardens into the urban core, the landscape contributes to a rich sequence of outdoor rooms that remain active from morning to late evening. Positioned alongside the heritage-listed Coal Board House, the development responds to its context with confidence and restraint, complementing its historic neighbour while enriching the broader urban fabric. The jury recognises Lower Edward Street as exemplary proof that the value of architecture is measured twice over: in what it gives back to the city, and in the enduring success it creates for its owners, tenants and visitors.
J.AR OFFICE design for the precinct created a new standard for inner-city Brisbane dining and community engagement. The space is well planned for staff circulation and guests to interact in a flexible way. Transitioning from day to night, casual to formal settings. Integrating existing and new buildings in the city centre with refined and new energy. The result is a place that feels welcoming, resilient and future-ready, enabling people and organisations to perform at their best daily.
Jared Webb, Design Architect
Oliver Mabbutt, Graduate of Architecture
BSE, Hydraulic Consultant
BSE, Electrical Consultant
JALA, Landscape Consultant
SOHO Sound, AV Consultant
DEQ Consulting Engineers, Structural Engineer
Vault Heritage, Heritage Consultant
Plan A, Town Planner