Mall milestones keep on coming with the removal of the rotunda, the clearing of the food experience area and the demolition of buildings around Murphy’s Town Pub.
Work has also been completed on the site of the future Ipswich City Council administration building.
Ipswich City Properties Chairman Councillor Paul Tully said the mall redevelopment project would continue to gain momentum in the final weeks of 2017.
“The rotunda will be gone by the end of this week,” Cr Tully said.
“We have been careful to remove it and place it into storage for reuse at another location.
“The interior of the food experience building, which is just past Bottle Alley as you walk down the mall towards the Bremer River, has also been cleared.
“We will be inviting restaurateurs to submit expressions of interest in the coming weeks with an to having new dining options available for Ipswich next year.”
GALLERY: Ipswich Mall opening of 1987
Ipswich Mayor Andrew Antoniolli said work continued to return the Commonwealth Hotel to the CBD.
“The 1980’s extensions surrounding Murphy’s Town Pub have been demolished so what we see now is the true footprint of the historic Commonwealth Hotel,” Cr Antoniolli said.
“Many businesses remain open around the middle and top sections of the mall and we’ve managed to keep two carpark lifts in operation, providing dual access points to retailers.
“A Lot of Books can now be found under the cinemas near Dimmeys and the always popular Dominique’s French Bakery has a new shop in Bell Street.
“Poison Arrow has also relocated in the mall, one shop down to the former site of Limestone Emporium which is now at the Top of Town precinct.”
Cr Antoniolli said more expressions of interest would released before the end of the year.
“We already have EOIs out for rebuilding Murphy’s and marketing and branding the overall redevelopment project,” he said.
“They will be followed by another half dozen or so in the next few weeks, ranging from entertainment options to construction.”
GALLERY: Ipswich Mall upgrade of 2017
Project at a glance
- $150 million budget.
- An active, engaging space with a focus on entertainment, food, beverage, retail and community facilities.
- Reopening of Nicholas Street and Union Place to one-way traffic.
- Mid to high end retail fronting Bell Street.
- New Ipswich City Council administration building and Ipswich Central Library.
GALLERY: Ipswich Mall upgrade artist impressions
