First look inside The Star Brisbane’s 3,500sqm Event Centre

By Grant Jones

The Star Brisbane has revealed a first look inside its 3,500sqm Event Centre, home to Brisbane’s largest ballroom and “a full dance card” of major events and conferences with just one week to go before the precinct opens on August 29.

The final touches are being applied to the state-of-the-art Event Centre located on Level Six of The Star Brisbane, which features a 1,440-seat ballroom, striking central glass atrium, floor to ceiling windows, next generation audio visual functionality, outdoor terrace and a pre-function bar with views to the Story Bridge.

It will be serviced by a high-tech industrial kitchen the size of half a football field, that will serve up around 140,000 meals a year.

The Event Centre will launch as part of the first phase of the staged opening of the $3.6 billion Queen’s Wharf Brisbane precinct, hosting a range of corporate and business functions from charity galas and international conferences to tourism showcases and award nights, including the Brisbane Broncos’ end of season presentation ball.

Event Centre will supercharge events and conferencing

The Star Brisbane CEO Daniel Finch said the introduction of the Event Centre will supercharge Brisbane’s already booming events and conferencing industry.

“We have just seen recent data that shows that Brisbane has become Australia’s ‘bleisure’ capital with business visitors spending more time and money in our city compared to any other state,” Finch said.

“With the ability to split the ballroom space into five separate event areas, or one giant ballroom, the size, scale and functionality of our purpose-designed Event Centre will not only complement but bolster the great work already being done in Queensland’s business events sector.

“Events are vital contributors to Brisbane’s visitor and job-creation economy, and we are proud to deliver a multitude of event facilities, including our Event Centre, Leisure Deck, Sky Deck and signature 5-star hotel, that will also help boost the region’s must-visit appeal ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

Restaurant-style menus and dining

The Star Brisbane director of culinary, chef Uday Huja, has been overseeing the fit-out of the Event Centre kitchen as well as menu design.

“This is a chef’s kitchen with the latest culinary appliances, enormous, automated dishwashing areas and spacious service stations for our Team Members,” said Huja, a former executive chef at The Star Sydney.

“From the moment we welcome our first event, we will be sourcing the best of Queensland produce with restaurant-style menus and dining.

“We aspire to help raise the bar and make Brisbane even more destinational through our food offerings and guest experience, supporting local businesses and showcasing the amazing food and wine we have in the sunshine state.”

The Event Centre will be serviced by one of three over-sized car lifts, contributing to the 70 accessible lifts and escalators across the 12.5-hectare tourism precinct.

It will be among the first of a steady stream of new restaurants, bars, public spaces and destinations that will begin opening from August into September and throughout 2024.

Finch said the opening will be a planned roll out over many weeks and in numerous stages to ensure team members are prepared, facilities tested, and processes solidified.

“Not everything will open all at once on day one, but returning guests will find something new to experience every time they visit.”

Queen’s Wharf Brisbane is being delivered by Destination Brisbane Consortium – a joint venture led by The Star Entertainment Group alongside its Hong Kong-based partners, Chow Tai Fook Enterprises and Far East Consortium.

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The Star Brisbane