The Ultimate Low Down List of All the New Stuff Coming to Toowoomba – Part 2

It was only in February that we put our summarising hats on and gave you The Ultimate Low Down List of All the New Stuff Coming to Toowoomba.

In just a few short months we’ve seen even more developments and announcements worth adding to the list. So here it is, updated. Enjoy.

Developments 

Grand Central Redevelopment 

A peek of what to expect when the retail galleria opens. Artist’s impression courtesy of Grand Central.

What:
At $500 million this is the granddaddy of development in Toowoomba right now. Doubling the centre in size to approximately 90,000 square metres it’s expected to create 1000 additional local retail jobs. There will be over 160 speciality stores as well as a Kmart, Big W, and Woolworths. In terms of a broad range of retail under one roof, this is where it’s at.

Here’s the stores coming soon:

• Country Road
• Seed Heritage
• Bardot
• Dissh
• Forever New
• Mecca
• Universal Store
• Wittner
• Wheel and Barrow

We all want to know what else is coming and when. The word is: soon. So keep hanging tight for more announcements. What we do know is when the retail galleria opens (that’s the long space in the artist impression above, that links the current centre across Dent St to the old Garden Town) it will include 60 stores boasting contemporary fashion and urban youth style. Many of them will be new to Toowoomba – so no need to head down the range to get your fashion fix!

When:
September is the goal for the retail galleria, or at least pre-Christmas this year. The rest of the centre, including the restaurant precinct to follow early next year.

More?
Grand Central is tracking construction on its website: grandcentralshopping.com.au so head there for more info.

Walton Stores

What:
Connecting Ruthven and Annand Streets with a heavy emphasis on highlighting the heritage and beauty of Toowoomba’s architecture, the Walton Stores has been billed as an “urban renewal project”. Walton Stores is looking at livening up our laneways with a mix of retail, food and dining and commercial space. Two tenants have already shimmied right in: Westpac Bank and Full of Life Organics. And we have announcements from burger joint Hello Harry and Asian restaurant Junk that they’re joining the line up too.

When:
There’s no hard and fast completion date that’s been publicised.

More?
There’s a website to check out at waltonstores.com.au

The Mills Precinct

Mills Precinct was bustling during One Table earlier this year

What:
Throwing residential into the urban development mix, The Mills Precinct on Ruthven St will be a space for inner city living, working, retail and community. It’s already hosted events like One Table, Pop Will Eat Itself and the closing party for this year’s First Coat Festival. We’ll keep watching to see what else is popping up in this soon-to-be hotspot.

When:
Planned to take place over five stages, which will each take a year to build. Work on stage one was scheduled to start early 2016.

More?
Find out more at themillsprecinct.com.au

The Bank Development

What:
Well now Westpac’s moved down the road to Walton Stores they’ve left a gorgeous iconic building in the main street ripe for the picking for development. It’s been announced that Killea Investments, operated by the Collins family (of Collins Home Appliances and Air Conditioning) will create a retail, office space and rooftop bar on the site. There’s also a rumour about an Apple store on the ground floor…

When:
Scheduled for completion by Christmas 2016.

More:
No online presence just yet. Enquiries about the development and becoming a tenant can be directed to Markus Eames at Colliers on 0407 388 856.

South Central Precinct

What:
The intersection of Ruthven and Perth streets near the Bernoth Centre is about to get a whole lot snazzier with the establishment of a seven storey precinct that will mix two bedroom, two bathroom apartments, with office and retail space. It’s all about catering for people who want all the conveniences of inner city living. And parking for the units will be accounted for. Phew!

When:
Construction to start in 2016 with work to be complete 2018.

More?
Not much of an online presence. Bernoth Properties are the developers.

Unknown – the old Marco Polo site 

What:
This place! Contender for ugliest sight/site in Toowoomba the old Marco Polo restaurant site has been in disarray for so long it’s hard to believe something will actually happen there. Word on all the streets for the longest has time has been it will be a fast food development, which honestly, do we need another one of those?

When:
Latest news is work will start this year. We make no guarantees about the accuracy of this claim.

More?
No other info available yet.

Toowoomba Railway Parklands

What:
Now approved by the Queensland Government as a Priority Development Area, the Railway Parklands Project is set to become Toowoomba’s cultural hub. The project area extends north to Bridge St, south to Russell St, west to Mort St and to Ruthven and Neil Sts in the east. The vision is for a mix of commercial, industrial, retail and residential.

The Railway Parklands will include open spaces for recreation and relaxation. It’s expected to cater for the 50,000 new residents Toowoomba is expected to see by 2035. The Mill Precinct is just one part of this redevelopment.

When:
Public consultation closed late last year. No clear start and finish date, but this is one for the long haul.

More?
Check out Council’s website for the development plan, maps and a virtual flyover. 

New food!

Tom Collins Bar

What:
The closing of Verasion left a hole in our hearts but it may be filled by new kids on the block Tom Collins Bar, who are moving in to the same spot where many have gone before them. With a totally schmick looking website under construction and some stylin’ branding we’re putting high hopes on this being a bar that will appeal to those of us who can’t/won’t club anymore, but haven’t hung up our socialising shoes just yet.

When:
Coming soon is all we know.

More?
Yes. Try their website and get a-likin’ on the Facebook page.

Muller Bros Rooftop Bar

What:
The Bell St Mall is about to get a much-needed injection of life with this café-restaurant-rooftop bar currently under development. Muller Bros will be housed in a 100-year-old building with original features of the building being integrated into a fresh, industrial aesthetic. The Facebook teaser pics have Toowoomba all in a lather of excitement. Seems we just can’t wait for coffee, cocktails and rooftop views.

When:
Any day now surely? Expected to be open mid 2016

More?
Like Muller Bros on Facebook to keep up to date with new reveals.

Primitivo

What:
All about that char grill baby. With a custom made char griller as the centerpiece of the restaurant you’ll be able to attack meat, vegetables and seafood every day of the week. They also plan to open a takeaway window from 10pm to 4am on Friday and Saturday nights.

When:
Super soon, surely.

More?
A website is under construction and they’re Snapchatting and Facebooking.

Zev’s Bistro

What:
In the Ruthven Street site that once hosted Oxygen Café there’s a hive of activity under way to open up brand new Zev’s Bistro. From chef Kyle Zevenbergen Zev’s promises lunch and dinner six days a week. It looks like it’s gonna be good!

When:
Opening soon…

More?
Yes! Follow on Instagram and check out the blog that’s detailing the opening process.

Red Bench Café

What:
Located on the corner of Margaret and Mary Sts Red Bench Café will be serving Single Origin coffee and old fashioned baked goods. They’ll be open Monday-Friday 6.30am to 5pm and 7am to 1pm or 2pm on Saturdays.

When:
Opening soon…

More?
Give them a follow on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date.

Café 63

What:
This Brisbane staple looks like it’s moving up the range if the signs and fit out at Eastville Shopping Centre on James St are telling the truth. Café 63 isn’t fine dining but it doesn’t have to be. They do simple food for breakfast, lunch and dinner and they do it well. Plus, they sell fresh flowers, which makes for a delightful weekend treat.

When:
Again…opening soon.

More?
Find them on Facebook.

Recent foodie openings

They’ve still got that fresh paint smell.

Check out:

Skewers – for Indo street food.
Ichi Japanese Restaurant – the first in the trifecta of recent Japanese venues.
Oishi Go – the second in the trifecta.
Sushi Asakusa – third in the trifecta and Toowoomba Living’s personal favourite. They’re not online but in Margaret Street near Bunker.
ParisiAnn Patisserie – for coffee and treats.
Pony Espresso – coffee, cake, sandwiches and salads, including gluten free and vegan options.

If you’ve got the low down on any other major and super fun sounding developments and events coming to Toowoomba tell us at lynda@crawfordcommunications.com.au so they can be added to this ultimate list.