Despite approaching its scheduled opening and the project’s significant progress, uncertainty looms over the fate of Queen’s Wharf’s highly anticipated luxury retail precinct. The Destination Brisbane Consortium, responsible for the $4 billion development, had previously secured DFS, a subsidiary of luxury conglomerate LVMH, as the anchor tenant. DFS was set to occupy a prominent three-level heritage building on George Street, housing a T Galleria and other luxury retail spaces. However, the recent legal action initiated by DFS against the consortium has cast a shadow over these plans. Neither party has disclosed the details of the claim, and the consortium has declined to confirm DFS’s future involvement in the complex.
The consortium has maintained that they have received strong interest from retailers eager to join Brisbane’s most anticipated tourism and entertainment precinct. They have remained tight-lipped about specific inquiries, leaving the fate of DFS’s involvement uncertain. The consortium’s website has undergone revisions, removing references to a T Galleria. Instead, it now only promises a ‘luxury department store’ in The Printery building, indicating potential changes to the original plans.
DFS, through its spokesperson Mackie Chan, has declined to comment on the company’s intentions, citing their policy of not discussing ongoing litigation. Local lawyers representing DFS have also remained silent. The consortium’s spokesperson has echoed this stance, refusing to elaborate on the claim beyond stating that they will respond appropriately in court.
This legal dispute adds to the challenges faced by the Queen’s Wharf project. The consortium recently settled a separate lawsuit filed by builder Multiplex, stemming from design alterations and project delays. This settlement is expected to cost the consortium up to $170 million. Compounding these issues, Star Entertainment Group, a joint venture partner in the consortium, awaits a state government decision on whether it will retain its Queensland casino licenses. The company has already incurred $100 million in fines due to corporate governance failures and faces potential further penalties amid an ongoing inquiry in New South Wales.
Despite these setbacks, Queen’s Wharf remains poised to transform Brisbane’s southern CBD. Its proximity to Cross River Rail and the upcoming Albert Street station, scheduled to open in 2026, will enhance its accessibility. Additionally, the complex will feature a sky deck, leisure deck, ballroom, restaurants, bars, apartments, and hotel rooms, creating a vibrant destination for locals and tourists alike.
As speculation persists regarding a potential flagship Myer store at Queen’s Wharf, the company has yet to make any official announcements. Myer has expressed interest in returning to the CBD but has not identified a suitable site since vacating the Queen Street Mall shopping center, now known as Uptown.
The relocation of the casino from the Treasury buildings to the new complex has also left the future of a significant stretch of George Street, between the mall and Queen’s Wharf, uncertain. A previous agreement to sell the heritage-listed casino and hotel buildings fell through, and no new buyers or plans have been announced.
DFS was co-founded by the late American billionaire philanthropist Chuck Feeney, who generously donated hundreds of millions of dollars to support Queensland’s biotechnology sector. His legacy continues to impact the region, even as the future of DFS’s involvement in Queen’s Wharf remains unclear.