Whether they were promoting walking tours, hotels, hinterland get-aways or cultural attractions, the city’s operators emphasised new developments over the past 10 years and a constantly evolving food and beverage and entertainment scene
The James Street precinct, an urban resort environment and lifestyle district in Fortitude Valley anchored by the five-star Calile Hotel (where Bespoke was held), is a case in point.
Catherine Malouf, one of the family members that developed the property, says the first significant opening in the precinct was the farmers market in 2001.
‘It was ahead of its time, bringing a European style market to Australia. It was well received by the community but we had trouble securing tenants at first because they were not convinced of its viability.’
History has answered that question and now the three-block locality is a dining, retail and leisure destination in its own right, a short walk from Howard Smith Wharves – another distinct destination in the city.
The Calile opened in 2018 and Malouf says that has been instrumental in extending James Street’s profile to the international market. She pursued the urban resort concept from the start.
‘We were told that because it is a city hotel we should only build a small pool – I went the other way,’ she says.
‘The precinct has a large concentration of food and beverage choices and there’s also an amazing array of restaurants and bars in the city as a whole if people want to get out a bit further.
‘Our message for Kiwis is that they shouldn’t think they know all about the city – Brisbane is a good surprise.’
