Past Tense, Future Perfect – Reframing Heritage in Urban Planning

What is adaptive reuse and why do we need it?

State and Local heritage places within urban areas often find themselves under threat from regentrification. One way to ensure the preservation of these heritage places is through their adaptive reuse. The restoration and repurposing of these structures not only saves them from decay and demolition; it retains historical and cultural importance, ensuring these structures remain relevant and integrated into the modern cityscape.

Turning heritage into high-value assets

In Southeast Queensland - where urban sprawl and the need for sustainable infrastructure are pressing challenges - adaptive reuse leverages the existing built environment, optimising infill development rather than expanding outward.

Building new is resource-intensive, often at the expense of structures with inherent value. Constructing a new energy-efficient office building - even when incorporating up to 40 percent recycled materials - can take around 65 years to recoup the energy lost by demolishing an existing structure. And while heritage buildings often don’t conform to modern building standards in safety and accessibility, they can be retrofitted with updated, green technologies, modernising their function.

Adaptive reuse also protects community character, serving as an anchor in neighbourhoods undergoing significant transformation. It’s a social investment where heritage buildings transformed into coworking spaces, housing, entertainment venues, and cafes can revitalise entire neighbourhoods, as seen in Brisbane’s Teneriffe and the King Street Precinct in Bowen Hills.

Beyond the social return on investment, the unique appeal and prime locations of heritage buildings often generate higher economic returns, creating destinations with genuine charm that people are drawn to. Leveraging funding, like heritage grants, tax incentives, and public-private partnerships can make these projects financially viable for developers, building high-value assets with strong market demand.

EDQ's adaptive reuse impact

Queens Wharf Brisbane

The Queen’s Wharf Brisbane precinct is prioritising adaptive reuse to align with EDQ’s vision for this Priority Development Area (PDA). Destination Brisbane Consortium (DBC’s) $3.6 billion revitalisation project is turning historically significant buildings and parks, like Miller Park, into vibrant public spaces. Guided by comprehensive conservation management plans, the project focuses on outcomes that honour both Indigenous and European histories. EDQ consults with the Department of Environment and Science and the Queensland Heritage Council to ensure DBC’s application meets the PDA’s heritage requirements and outcomes. EDQ’s role ensures these heritage sites will be preserved, interpreted, and activated for public enjoyment, with a range of deliverables - from interpretive elements to dining and entertainment opportunities. By balancing conservation with activation, EDQ has enabled the creation of a culturally rich and accessible precinct, enhancing Brisbane’s identity and offering locals and visitors a unique opportunity to experience Brisbane’s heritage in dynamic new ways.

Herston Quarter

The $1.1 billion redevelopment by Australian Unity (AU) in the Herston Quarter PDA is transforming one of Brisbane’s most complex heritage projects into a dynamic community and health hub. EDQ has worked with AU and the landowner Metro North Hospital and Health Service to retain the site’s cultural significance, advising architects and builders, inspecting construction impacts, and providing input into development approvals. Key heritage assets like the Lady Lamington Nurses’ Home and Towers were upgraded to serve as modern student accommodation, with each building phase adapted to respect its historical integrity.

Through EDQ, construction was advanced with staged approvals, maintaining tight timelines and delivering on a clear vision for sustainable urban renewal. Herston Quarter now integrates revitalised heritage spaces with retail and public areas, offering a connected, accessible environment that honours Brisbane’s architectural legacy while supporting a key health precinct.

Bowen Hills

In the Bowen Hills PDA, EDQ actively integrates heritage conservation with urban growth by listening to the community and prioritising places with deep cultural significance. The RNA Showgrounds redevelopment is an example of where large-scale redevelopment can complement and protect the surrounding heritage fabric. Additionally, ‘Abbotsleigh’ at 11 Abbotsford Road, was spared from demolition after extensive community feedback and heritage assessment and will become a key feature in a modern residential development. The 1870s building merges history with new, vibrant uses, showcasing how preservation can coexist with growth.

EDQ's strategies throughout Bowen Hills ensure that significant buildings - such as The Old Museum and Cintra House - continue to serve contemporary purposes while retaining their historical integrity. Through collaborative planning, EDQ creates spaces where heritage meets modern utility, from retail and cultural venues to luxury housing developments.

A future built on the past

Adaptive reuse makes history a living, valuable part of a city’s future, preserving cultural and built form heritage while meeting the demands of a rapidly growing population. By giving new life to heritage buildings, cities can build sustainably, economically, and socially, all while maintaining a strong connection to their past.