Howard Smith Wharves

Set underneath Brisbane’s renowned Story Bridge, the revitalisation of the historic Howard Smith Wharves precinct unlocks the full potential of this significant site. Built from the fabric of Brisbane's history and shaped by the river and cliff-face setting, the precinct reimagines a space that had laid largely dormant before.

Since opening, the precinct has surpassed all visitor number expectations with forecasts anticipating 5.5 million domestic and 1 million international visitors annually. Fast forward to today, Howard Smith Wharves is not just a civic landscape, but a world-class destination that reconnects the city with its river.

Urbis played a central role in repositioning this iconic riverfront site in Brisbane’s CBD and transforming it into one of our city’s treasures and most loved destinations. As the lead urban designers, landscape architects, planners and heritage advisors, we shaped the vision and delivery of a place that balances commerical outcomes with the greatest possible public benefit.

Our teams established a design approach that prioritised people, place and heritage. Less than 10 per cent of the site is occupied by new built form, with more than 80 per cent dedicated to publicly accessible open space, available 24/7. Existing heritage buildings and infrastructure were retained and repurposed, allowing the historic wharves, sheds and maritime structures to once again play an active role in city life.

The landscape responds directly to the site’s industrial past, using robust, authentic materials and reusing elements found on site. Oversized wharf timbers, industrial bricks and excavated Brisbane tuff are integrated throughout the public space, reinforcing a strong sense of character and continuity while delivering a sustainable and enduring place.  

Bars, restaurants, bustling docks, tourism operators, amphitheatres, children’s play, boutique accommodation and the reinvented wharves are set against the backdrop of the Story Bridge and the cliffs, creating the quintessentially Brisbane lifestyle experience.

The design cleverly unlocks our heritage for all to enjoy and makes the most of our enviable subtropical climate. More than 500 metres of river’s edge is accessible for walking and cycling, complemented by generous green spaces, urban agriculture and public seating. Two new cliff lifts complete long-standing pedestrian connections, bringing people directly down to the river's edge for the first time.

The redevelopment has delivered an award winning, worldclass tourism, recreation, lifestyle and event destination directly on the river. After years of uncertainty, this iconic Brisbane precinct has once again come to life.

We are proud to form part of the team that has guided the redevelopment of Howard Smith Wharves resulting in a sustainable and vibrant place, built around an elegantly robust landscape.