Griffith University has unveiled plans to launch a new campus in Brisbane’s Central Business District, slated for completion in 2027. This new city campus will be housed in the historic Treasury Building on Queen Street, a space previously occupied by The Star Entertainment Group.
This project will be a major milestone for the university, offering a central hub for its Business, Information Technology, and Law faculties. The new facility will also cater to postgraduate and executive education programs, marking a strategic expansion for Griffith in the heart of Brisbane’s CBD.
By 2035, the campus aims to serve approximately 7,000 students and employ around 200 staff members, creating a cutting-edge educational environment that will promote innovation, collaboration, and closer ties with the surrounding community.
Vice Chancellor and President of Griffith University, Professor Carolyn Evans, highlighted the significance of the new campus, calling it a vital gateway for connecting with industry, business, and government.
“The new Brisbane CBD campus will provide an entirely unique experience for our students, staff, and partners,” said Professor Evans.
“This iconic site will not only complement our existing presence at South Bank but will also elevate Griffith’s standing both domestically and internationally, turning it into a distinguished center for learning and collaboration.”
Daniel Finch, CEO of The Star Brisbane, expressed pride in the company’s nearly three decades of stewardship over the Treasury Building.
“It has been a privilege for our team to care for this beloved heritage building,” Finch said. “We are excited to see Griffith University, another proud Queensland institution, take the reins. They respect its history as much as we do.”
Finch added that it would be exciting to see how Griffith would shape the future of the building while preserving its legacy. “As their neighbours at Queen’s Wharf, we look forward to seeing the Treasury Building continue to provide memorable experiences for future generations.
Griffith University has emphasised its commitment to maintaining the heritage features of the Treasury Building while modernising it for educational purposes. The prime CBD location will provide enhanced accessibility for students across Brisbane, especially those from the western and northern suburbs.
Well-connected by bus, train, and ferry services, the campus will also benefit from future infrastructure developments. International students are expected to thrive in this central location, where they can study, work, and live in the vibrant heart of Brisbane.
“The new campus will further strengthen Griffith University’s global profile, attracting top talent from around the world to the 2032 Olympic Games host city,” said Professor Evans.
“We are excited about this transformative venture and look forward to creating a world-class educational hub that will shape the future of learning and community engagement in Brisbane and beyond.”
Griffith University has also expressed its gratitude for the support from the Queensland Government throughout the planning process, as the institution looks to redefine education in a space that bridges the past with the future.
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Does the lease include both the old Treasury Casino building AND the old Treasury Hotel building to the west of it? Or just the old Treasury Casino building?
Just the Treasury Building.
Thanks for the clarification.
A bit of an odd decision to host both Business, IT and Law in just the one building. Those are some pretty popular faculties -you’d expect quite a large amount of space would be required to house them all. I’m pretty sure the equivalent buildings at UQ are much larger than the Treasury building.
I don’t fully know the Treasury building layout -apart from it being a quadrangle building surrounding a covered inner courtyard. So my concern would be the perceived lack of space. Does the one building really have enough room to house lecture theatres, libraries and and offices for staff & post-grad students?
I share Greg’s concern—I doubt the building would have the capacity to effectively house these departments. Instead of trying to fit them into one of Brisbane’s most historically significant and iconic sites, a more practical approach would be to revitalise the building by transforming it into a major art gallery affiliated with Griffith University’s Queensland College of Art. This solution would preserve its appeal as a tourist destination while also expanding Brisbane’s cultural exhibition space and contributing to the growth of higher education. It would be a win for heritage, the arts, and education.
Not to mention, this would provide a unique opportunity to support the continued success of the Asia Pacific Triennial in Brisbane. By enhancing the city’s cultural infrastructure, we could ensure that Brisbane remains a premier destination for this internationally renowned exhibition, allowing it to flourish even further.
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Wonder what impact this will have on QUT Gardens Point?