The Queensland Government has progressed plans to transform the Gabba into a large scale entertainment and housing precinct, marking a significant shift in the future of one of Brisbane’s most recognisable sporting sites.
The project would see the existing Gabba stadium ultimately decommissioned following the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with the site redeveloped into a mixed use precinct anchored by a new indoor entertainment arena and supported by residential, retail and public spaces.
The redevelopment forms part of the broader Woolloongabba Priority Development Area, positioned less than two kilometres from the Brisbane CBD and adjacent to the future Cross River Rail station, placing it within one of the city’s most connected urban renewal corridors.
The proposed precinct is being delivered through a public private partnership model, with the State seeking experienced development partners capable of delivering both the arena and surrounding mixed use components.
At the core of the proposal is a new indoor arena with a capacity of approximately 17,000 people, designed to host concerts, sporting events and major entertainment programming. This venue would replace the Gabba’s role as a major event destination once the new Victoria Park stadium becomes operational.
Surrounding the arena, the broader precinct would introduce a mix of residential housing, retail, hospitality and commercial uses, alongside public realm upgrades and new open spaces. The intent is to create a more active, year round destination rather than a single use stadium site.
The redevelopment is also expected to leverage major infrastructure already under construction, particularly the Woolloongabba Cross River Rail station, which would provide direct connectivity to the CBD, northern and southern corridors, and key activity centres across South East Queensland.
At a broader planning level, the updated Woolloongabba Priority Development Area framework is targeting a significant uplift in housing supply, with up to 16,000 new homes envisioned across the wider precinct to support population growth and urban consolidation in the inner south.
According to the Queensland Government, the project is intended to position Woolloongabba as a major cultural, residential and entertainment destination, while also unlocking new private investment opportunities across housing, tourism and hospitality sectors.
Procurement for the project is currently underway, with expressions of interest already completed and a shortlist of development partners expected to progress through to the next phase of detailed proposals.
The Gabba is expected to remain operational through to the 2032 Games, after which demolition and staged redevelopment of the precinct would commence, fundamentally reshaping this key inner city site for decades to come.
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Looks so boring compared to the Roma Park Concept.
Such an uninteresting building to look at – and as usual, poor vegetation cover with very limited activities possible in immediate surrounds to allow use during day time for locals. Who writes the ridiculous SPIN descriptions about these things – reality is always different! Supports the connected Gabba ground redevelopment – HOW?????????????? Will ALWAYS be surrounded by high traffic flow roads so will remain an “island” site unless physically connected by overpasses to other areas.
since there is room, why not go for 20 000 seats and maybe if viable an 8 court indoor venue next to it?
I think they’re referring to the pedestrian bridge proposed to go over Main St once the Gabba is demolished.
You can see the bridge in the video (post Olympics), which matches up with previous concept plans.
It could possibly be a requirement left over from the cross-river-rail days, back when the Gabba was being pitched as the main Olympics stadium. The idea was to give people easy access to the Gabba without having to interrupt traffic.
So naturally it’ll be first on the chopping block when budgets get blown and ministers are looking at ways to reign costs in.
the roman street concept was much cool if they would build that would be cool
What an ugly building was my first thought as previous comment at least cover it with vegetation so the ugly thing can’t be seen.
I echo the responses above. The Roma Park concept had life and excitement. Suncorp is unique and world class. This is just a boring, uninteresting, unimaginative POS. THere is nothing in this for Brisbane people to be proud of. It does not take into account or advantage of our beautiful Brisbane climate. Just another bureaucrat lack of imagination, wet dream screw up that taxpayers will have to live with. Thanks for nothing.
Jet2 holiday…
Where is the greenery? Aside from community expectation and world trends where vegetation is blended into modern designs, the practical argument is that our sub tropical climate demands as much shade producing vegetation as possible. I don’t mind the structure but without landscaping it looks quite sterile to me.
AGREE WITH ABOVE.
THE DESIGN LACKS IMAGINATION .
CAN WE HAVE A DESIGN MORE INTERESTING FOR 2016 PLEASE.
SOMETHING THAT WE CAN BE PROUD OF AS BRISBANE PEOPLE.
THE GLASSHOUSE , THE NEW BRIDGES OFFER A MORE 21 CENTURY IMAGE OF WHAT BRISBANE IS.
SORRY BUT IT LOOKS LIKE A GOLDEN TURD.
SHOULD READ 2026
Interesting that they’re leaving in place all the bus parking bays -that’s a lot of wasted real estate, and an eyesore to boot. You’d think with a new rail station there wouldn’t be as great a need to queue up busses to deal with the massess exiting the venue all at once. Honestly, this bus corridor shoud be turned into a Metro line by 2032.
Here’s hoping they seal over the entire bus corridor with some land-bridges: it’ll free up space to deal with the crowd spillovers. Plus you could throw a bit of greenery in there to deal with the concrete paved wasteland look the other commenters are highlighting.
Looks like a Tupperware container
Unimaginative pillbox building set in stark, uninviting surroundings. No connection to Brisbane or its climate. Just made for a future ‘Greatest Missed Chances’ list.
The redevelopment of The Gabba is a great opportunity, but the design feels quite generic. Far from the bold, iconic statement you’d expect for a key legacy project ahead of the 2032 Olympic Games.
It really should go to an international design competition to lift the ambition. While budget constraints are clearly a factor, that’s no excuse for settling on something so underwhelming.
More importantly, the lack of tree coverage is a major flaw. In Brisbane’s climate, this risks creating a hot, unusable space rather than a vibrant public realm. Proper shade and landscaping, using trees like Araucaria heterophylla, should be central to the design.
There’s also potential to explore reopening the old underground link towards the Kangaroo Point Cliffs as a future pedestrian or cycle connection.
Overall, good idea, but not nearly ambitious enough in its current form.