With more than 20,000sqm of retail, restaurant and leisure space benefitted with connectivity to major train and bus networks, nationally recognised brands have seized the opportunities available in Queensland’s fastest-growing city and all signed on as entry tenants to the $250 million dollar city redevelopment.
Those brands include Hoyts, Gelatissimo, Zambrero, Sushi Hyo, Aushotels, Stellarossa, Terry White Chemmart and That Dumpling Place.
Hoyts and Aushotels form anchor tenants at opposing ends of the precinct with Aushotels taking carriage of the city’s much-loved Commonwealth Hotel built in 1910. With its heritage facade meticulously restored and rebuilt by engineers the forthcoming extension of the hotel will soon transform the site into a state-of-the-art dining and entertainment hub while keeping its classic and authentic persona at its core.
The growing dining scene continues to flourish as an eclectic marketplace of flavours from across the globe. Think small plates, tapas, cocktails and wine tastings at The Rusty Nail, classic comfort food from Ipswich institution Indian Mehfil, and just one bite of Janet’s handcrafted pork and chive dumplings from That Dumpling Place promises to instantly transport you to the streets of Shanghai.
Popular brands Zambrero, Stellarossa and Sushi Hyo have opened to increasing visitation, being warmly embraced by the family-focused demographic of the region, as has Gelatissimo who sees a daily 3pm storefront line up of nearby school families seeking an afternoon treat.
Gelatissimo Franchisees Li and Vanessa, one of the first to open in the precinct, say: “We’ve had such a positive experience since opening in the Nicholas Street Precinct. We’re nearing our first year of operations and the Ipswich community has fully embraced our business giving us further confidence in our decision to invest here. We’ve watched the precinct continue to come alive with more and more customers being introduced to our brand, and the variety of events and increasing city workers and commuters means we are continually welcoming new customers.”
Experienced franchisees, Gelatissimo Ipswich is Li and Vanessa’s second in their portfolio in addition to their Bulimba store. “There’s definitely a sense of growth and excitement as more and more tenants sign on and construction progresses on the major tenants, we’re excited to be part of the next chapter of a changing Ipswich.”
The newly revitalised Ipswich Central is positioned around creating a sophisticated city heart that offers a balance of design, placemaking and culture. Uniquely crafted unlike a standard shopping mall and attracting a mix of nationally recognised franchise brands, to standalone family-run offerings not found anywhere else.
Home to two libraries including Australia’s only dedicated Children’s Library, a digitally connected civic square, a zero-depth water play area, a performance stage, approximately 1000 car park spaces and an active calendar of markets and events, the Nicholas Street Precinct is fast becoming Ipswich’s leading entertainment, dining and cultural destination.
A place to dine, gather and work, and bursting with possibilities for new business, leasing opportunities will soon be released for food, leisure and hospitality operators to open alongside anchor tenant Hoyts in an ever-evolving and unrivalled city precinct.
