There’s an old saying in the hotel business: location, location, architecture. Or at least, there should be.
And there’s perhaps no better address in Brisbane that blends both prime positioning and cultural cachet than the iconic structure at 150 Elizabeth Street. In what promises to be a landmark revival, IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced the grand return of this Brutalist beauty—formerly Hilton Brisbane—as the freshly minted InterContinental Brisbane, a crown jewel set to open its doors in early June.
The building, designed by none other than modernist maestro Harry Seidler, is being ushered into a new era through a significant, two-year metamorphosis, bringing with it a bold dose of luxury and a respectful nod to Brisbane’s architectural heritage. The reimagining is being spearheaded by ISPT, one of Australia’s leading property fund managers and developers, in collaboration with IHG under a long-term management agreement.
A Legacy Restored
Now, before you roll your eyes and mutter something about “yet another hotel revamp,” let’s pause and acknowledge what’s at stake. This isn’t just another glossy high-rise with cookie-cutter décor and a tired buffet breakfast. This is the only hotel in Australia designed by Seidler himself—a piece of the country’s architectural soul.
Positioned right in the beating heart of Brisbane’s CBD, and woven into the ever-busy Queen Street Mall, the hotel sits at the confluence of commerce, culture, and convenience. Once the renovations are complete, it will house 321 guest rooms, many offering sweeping views of the Brisbane skyline, four world-class dining establishments, and impressive conference and event facilities that will aim to dazzle corporate clients and wedding planners alike.
In a city surging with momentum, particularly with the Brisbane 2032 Olympics on the horizon, InterContinental Brisbane isn’t just arriving. It’s staking a claim.
A Grand Collaboration
Cameron Burke, Director of Development, Australasia & Pacific at IHG, summed up the gravity of the project with the sort of reserved excitement that only seasoned hoteliers can muster.
“We knew it would take a special property to bring our iconic InterContinental brand to life in Brisbane,” Burke noted. “We’re incredibly proud to partner with ISPT in support of this rejuvenation, and look forward to creating an indelible beacon of hospitality for Brisbane.”
Indeed, the stars seem to be aligning for the Queensland capital. With an influx of investment, swelling corporate demand, a booming leisure sector, and Olympics fever already seeping into the concrete, South East Queensland is shaping up as Australia’s next luxury hotspot. And InterContinental’s arrival might well be the elegant ribbon atop that gift.
Burke added, with a developer’s measured optimism:
“The Brisbane hotel market is entering a golden era… the region is fast becoming Australia’s most dynamic hospitality hotspot.”
One might even call it the Gold Coast’s slightly more refined cousin.
ISPT’s Precinct Vision
Meanwhile, ISPT’s ambitions stretch beyond just hotel rooms and check-in counters. Their revitalisation of the entire Elizabeth Street precinct—encompassing the adjacent Wintergarden and the heritage-listed Regent Theatre—is a bold bet on Brisbane’s urban future.
Tom Waters, Head of Development – Office, Industrial, Retail and Mixed Use at ISPT, explained that the vision is not merely to refurbish but to reintegrate.
“We sought a brand that would epitomise luxury, honour the legacy of the building, and become a cornerstone of the vibrant precinct we’re developing,” Waters said.
That vision encompasses a seamless experience of retail, entertainment, and hospitality—a curated collision of experiences. It’s placemaking, not just place-renovating. Or, in Seidler’s spirit, architecture with purpose.
Waters continued:
“Leveraging ISPT’s expertise in placemaking and curating urban experiences, this precinct is set to transform Brisbane’s CBD… Together, we share a vision to see the hotel completely revitalised.”
A noble sentiment, and one that echoes the original spirit of Seidler’s work—creating buildings that live and breathe as part of the city’s rhythm.
A Brand With Depth
For IHG, this is more than just another pin in the map. InterContinental Brisbane will be the brand’s third property in Queensland, joining the luxury league alongside InterContinental Hayman Island and InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort. It’s a statement of intent, reinforcing IHG’s deepening presence across the luxury and lifestyle sector in Australasia.
The numbers back the ambition: IHG currently operates 21 luxury & lifestyle hotels in the region, with another five in the pipeline. Globally, the company has 69 properties under nine brands in Australasia, including Six Senses, Kimpton, Vignette Collection, and Hotel Indigo, with another 26 hotels in various stages of development.
And it’s not all glitz and glamour. The transformation of this Brisbane icon is expected to incorporate diversity, innovation, and cultural storytelling into its brand DNA—touchstones that are increasingly non-negotiable for luxury travellers.
One would hope that somewhere amidst the sleek finishes and plush bedding, there remains a quiet corner where guests can appreciate the rare honour of staying in a Seidler original—an architectural poem in concrete.
FINAL THOUGHTS
At a time when Brisbane is readying itself for the world stage, InterContinental’s entry isn’t just timely—it’s symbolic. It marks the beginning of a new chapter for the city’s hospitality scene, one that blends legacy with modernity, substance with style.
And for those who believe that hotels should be more than just a bed for the night, Brisbane is about to offer something rather extraordinary.
By Christine Nguyen
