Racecourse Road Archives - Hamilton Today

Hamilton Precinct Set for Landmark Residential and Retail Project

A mixed-use development has been proposed for Racecourse Road in Hamilton, with Graya submitting a development application for a new residential and retail precinct.

Major Mixed-Use Proposal for Racecourse Road in Hamilton

A new project aimed at reshaping one of Hamilton’s busiest precincts has been submitted to BCC. Graya, a Brisbane-based developer, has lodged a proposal (DA/A006790991) to build a five-level development—comprising four residential storeys plus a rooftop retreat—across a 3,614-square-metre site encompassing 63–71 Racecourse Road and 12 Balowrie Street.

Redevelopment Plans and Site Layout

The proposed development, named “The Gallery,” would involve the demolition of four existing shopfronts to create space for 37 apartments and 1380 square metres of ground-floor commercial use. The site stretches across the block between Kent Street and Balowrie Street, directly opposite St Augustine’s Anglican Church.

The project features a mix of nine two-bedroom and 28 three-bedroom residences. It also includes 177 vehicle parking spaces with 116 designated for residents and 47 bicycle bays. The building will be topped by an 800-square-metre rooftop retreat with a pool and landscaped spaces.

The Gallery Hamilton — *Photo Credit: DA/A006790991*

Urban Design and Architectural Features

The building has been designed by Bureau^Proberts to reflect elements of local character. According to the architectural team, the design incorporates broad verandahs, green trellises, and stone plinths, drawing on elevated timber Queenslanders and nearby heritage masonry buildings. The structure also includes a pedestrian spine connecting Racecourse Road to Kent Street, flanked by laneway-style retail pods inspired by European village layouts.

Developer Presence in Hamilton

Graya has an established footprint in Hamilton, having previously delivered high-end homes such as Scorpia and Larq. This would be its first multi-residential development in the suburb. The Gallery is part of a broader pipeline of Graya projects currently underway across Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Retail Activation Strategy

The proposal includes eight boutique retail tenancies at ground level, intended to enhance the precinct’s functionality and street-level activity. Plans indicate these may include offerings such as food venues, wellness spaces, and boutique grocers. The retail layout is designed to create a market-style environment with multiple entry points and intimate shopfronts.

Community Integration and Next Steps

According to the planning documents submitted by Mewing Planning Consultants on behalf of Graya, the development is intended to support the revitalisation of Racecourse Road. The proposal describes the project as a precinct-style destination with both civic presence and community benefit. Pending council approval, The Gallery is expected to launch to market in early 2026.

Published 17-June-2025

Fire-powered Pan-Asian Restaurant Flaming & Co To Open At Racecourse Road

Attention, Asian food lovers! A new pan-Asian, fire-powered restaurant called Flaming & Co will soon open along Racecourse Road.

Read: FOSH Alert: Upmarket Seafood Restaurant Soon to Open at Portside Wharf

Flaming & Co is a new concept from the Phoenix Group, the same Chinese restaurant group that has been operating in Australia since 1999. Originally from New South Wales, they entered the Brisbane market in 2019 with a location at George Street, serving their famous yum cha and dim sum.

Although the menu at their new restaurant is still being finalised, diners can expect modern Australian dishes, with influences from various Asian cuisines, including Sichuan, Korean, Cantonese, and Japanese.

As with traditional pan-Asian cuisine, food will come from a fusion of flavours and ingredients from throughout Asia. Sichuan cuisine, for instance, is known for its bold flavours from the abundant use of spices.

To be located next to Kos Cafe and Krazy Dessert Restaurant and Bar, the place will undergo a major transformation, with the addition of a hidden bar area and laneway dining. Guests can also choose to sit and watch the staff prepare the dishes live from the open kitchen.

Inside the open kitchen, chefs will cook almost everything on the menu over open flames, such as the flamed oysters and fish with chilli marinade. Whilst fire is the theme here, there will also be deep-fried dishes from the new restaurant.

On the drinks front, the owners have curated an impressive list of brews and wines both from local and international makers. There will also be cocktails and mixed drinks to pair with their pan-Asian fare.

Read: Get to Know Katana, a Hamilton Landmark Since the 19th Century

Flaming & Co is anticipated to open by March 2023. We will keep you posted with further information once they open.

New Childcare Centre on Racecourse Road Proposed

Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council / developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au

Hamilton may get a new childcare centre if the proposed three-storey facility on Racecourse Road gets Council approval.

The proposal seeks to develop a childcare centre on a 618.8sqm site at 50 Racecourse Road in Hamilton. If approved, the dwelling that currently occupies the site will be demolished to facilitate the construction of the Red Door Architecture-designed proposed development.

Proposed site | Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council / developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au

Basement floor plan | Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council / developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au

Ground floor plan | Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council / developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au

The three-storey childcare centre will feature elements that will assist with maintaining privacy and amenity of the site’s rear adjoining property, including acoustic screen and landscaping.

“The development has been designed with consideration of established development along Racecourse Road and what is typical of a modern ‘high street’, noting that this portion of Racecourse Road is varied in character and yet to reach its development potential.” – Urban Strategies

Level 1 floor plan | Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council / developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au

Level 2 floor plan | Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council / developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au

Roof floor plan | Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council / developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au

The front facade will have extensive glazing and there will be a balcony for casual surveillance of the street and a pedestrian awning for weather protection.

The proposal which is anticipated to provide day-long care for 98 children includes ten (10) car parking spaces –three (3) for staff and seven (7) for drop off – to be located within a basement car park area. There will also be four (4) bicycle parking and end-trip facilities.

Summary of the development proposal
Total site area: 618.8sqm
Site cover: 535sqm / 86.46 per cent of the site
Total GFA: 624sqm
Ground floor GFA: 178sqm
Level 1 GFA: 239sqm
Level 2 GFA: 207sqm
Activity rooms: 6
Deep planting: 61sqm / 10.14 per cent of the site
Car Parking: 10 (6 – drop off + 1 PWD, Van 1, Staff 3

It is proposed that the childcare centre will operate from 6.30 am to 6.30 pm, Monday to Friday.

50 Racecourse Rd, Hamilton QLD 4007, Australia

Vibrant Racecourse Road Awaits Locals With Street Tree Bud Lighting Project

Photo Credit: Racecourse Rd/Facebook

Take an evening stroll down Racecourse Road Precinct in Hamilton and enjoy the magical view of trees illuminated by fairy lights.

The street tree bud lighting has been installed to increase night-time amenity and identity for the local shopping precinct and create a vibrant neighbourhood for the local community and visitors.

According to Racecourse Road Precinct Business Group president Kate Peereboom, five different contractors and traffic management crews worked together to install thousands of metres of lights on 40 trees in one month.

Businesses and landlords were supportive of the project so the installation was done smoothly, with little disruption to businesses located in the street. Most of the works were completed at night and the installation of lights were completed ahead of their target completion date.

The lights were first lit in time for the commencement of the Brisbane Racing Club’s winter carnival last month, where thousands of spectators visited the precinct.

To celebrate the success of this project, the “Up in Lights” community event was held at St Augustine’s Anglican Church on 10 May 2019 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Locals got to enjoy an evening of live music, street food, pop-up bars, face painting, and kids lantern-making.

The lighting project is sponsored by Bernborough-Lendlease, St. Joseph’s Nudgee College and Brisbane Racing Club.

This is part of the Village Precinct Projects grant funded program, wherein Council will design and deliver public realm improvements, breathing new life into local shopping precincts with the aim of contributing to the commercial vitality of the precinct by creating:

a beautiful precinct – high-quality, attractive public spaces that are accessible, safe and comfortable to walk through; spaces that encourage the local community to meet, linger and enjoy
a precinct for people – streets that are inclusive and inviting places for everyone to shop, socialise and relax
a sense of place – reinforcing the local character and pride, and creating distinctive subtropical spaces for local residents, businesses and visitors to connect with and belong to.

For more information about the Racecourse Road street tree bud lighting project, visit the Brisbane City Council website.