Queensland Sotheby's International Realty
Brisbane, the capital of Australia’s “Sunshine State,” Queensland, is swiftly transforming from a destination known for its outdoor lifestyle and year-round good weather into one of the nation’s foremost creative hubs—a shift accelerated by its role as host of the upcoming 2032 Summer Olympics. Driven by increasing investments from government and arts organizations, Brisbane’s cultural scene is blossoming, and can be found everywhere from the iconic galleries of South Bank—a vibrant precinct located on the Brisbane River that is home to the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA), the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) and the Queensland Museum—to the innovative architectural projects that are reshaping the property market.
Long before the Olympic spotlight arrives, Brisbane is gearing up for another landmark event: the 11th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, opening this November at QAGOMA. A celebration of diverse artistic voices from across the region and one of the gallery’s flagship events, the Triennial reflects Brisbane’s own embrace of multicultural creativity. “As one of the nation’s leading cultural institutions, QAGOMA plays an important role in growing cultural tourism and building artists’ and arts workers’ careers ahead of Brisbane 2032, when the eyes of the world will be on Queensland,” says the state’s minister for the arts, Leeanne Enoch.
Queensland Sotheby's International Realty
Brisbane’s creative spirit and reputation as a design-forward city is perhaps most evidently reflected in its unique approach to property design—and many of the most spectacular homes are designed by architects and designers in collaboration with homeowners. “There are a lot of creatives here, and the city itself encourages creativity as it is such a beautiful place to be,” explains Tyson Clarke, a senior sales executive with Sotheby’s International Realty.
Take, for example, a spectacular hillside home in the Brisbane Bayside neighborhood of Manly. Designed by the owner in collaboration with the architect, it features a third-floor living and dining area that opens out to an infinity-edge pool for seamless indoor-outdoor living, antique French Oak parquetry and bold Andy Warhol-style tiles in the kitchen. “It’s not surprising that homeowners are so involved with the design—everyone in Brisbane lives and breathes property,” says Clarke.
Queensland Sotheby's International Realty
“Peaceville” is another property defined by its creative flair and affinity for outdoor living. Located in Chandler, just 14km (8.7 miles) from the city center and close to the Redland Art Gallery, it has been designed by the owners as a resort-style family home that encourages entertaining, with amenities ranging from a pool with waterslide and spacious barbeque areas with a fire pit, to stables, an orchard and even an outdoor cinema. “It’s the ultimate lifestyle estate,” says Clarke. “Like many properties in Brisbane, it encourages an outdoor lifestyle year-round.”
Even closer to the heart of Brisbane, in the charming neighborhood of Hendra, is an expansive family home set within a sprawling garden oasis. The 600-square-meter house is another impressive example of how Brisbane property is designed around an easy flow between interior and exterior spaces.
Queensland Sotheby's International Realty
These homes showcase Brisbane as a city where lifestyle and creativity are woven into the culture. “The city is always evolving, and we are constantly blessed with new, cutting-edge cultural experiences, from new exhibitions at QAGOMA to the recent Lightscape event at the Botanic Gardens, which features breathtaking installations created by acclaimed local and international artists,” says Clarke. “That creative scene is then coming through in every aspect of life here, from our culinary scene to tourism and the property market. That’s the beauty of Brisbane.”
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