Golden Avenue
In the heart of the Brisbane CBD, where glass towers and concrete corridors reign supreme, a lush reprieve has taken root. Golden Avenue by J.AR Office isn’t just another eatery but a reimagining of what city life can feel like.
Designed as “the Queensland version of Babylon” – as briefed – this new dining destination transforms 67 Edward Street into a sanctuary that feels worlds away from the bustle beyond its doors.
Operated by hospitality group Anyday, Golden Avenue is the first chapter of a broader transformation of the South Edward site – a multi-venue masterplan that incorporates a new build by J.AR Office and links to the existing adjacent buildings, including the heritage-listed Coal Board House. This design-led expansion will see the area evolve into Brisbane’s new leisure hub. But it’s Golden Avenue that sets the tone and shines while doing so. The vast, multi-level Middle Eastern restaurant and bar champions the city’s subtropical climate, inviting people to slow down and linger.
From the moment you step inside, it’s clear J.AR Office has brought to life a Queensland interpretation of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon – luxuriant and layered, realised with equal parts creativity and rigour. Drawing from the calm of a Moroccan riad, the design balances monolithic strength with botanical softness. Green-tinted off-form concrete, pink juparana granite and stainless steel form a brutalist shell that is softened by mature palms and garden-style terraces. These organic, textural elements create quite the atmosphere beneath skylights and seven retractable roofs that flood the interiors with sunlight, while operable shutters and glass panelling enhance the open-air feeling. This makes the space feel both intimate and expansive, allowing guests to experience Brisbane’s climate in a way few places offer.
In a city where air-conditioned interiors often dominate, J.AR Office has gone against the grain. Golden Avenue is entirely naturally ventilated, using shade, thermal mass and gentle cross-breezes to create comfort year-round. Fans hum softly overhead, and shifting natural light brings an ever-changing rhythm to the space. It’s a building that’s as alive as the crowds inside it – a venue that changes moods with the sky.
Practicality hasn’t been exchanged for beauty here though. Anyday needed flexibility and function – and J.AR Office delivered. The design flows effortlessly from daytime lunches to evening cocktails, with a tiered layout for privacy, multiple bars and tucked-away service routes that keep the experience seamless. Even the delivery entry is cleverly hidden within the facade, a nod to the practice’s flair for detail.
Golden Avenue is more than a restaurant; it’s a love letter to Brisbane’s subtropical soul. The verdant gathering spot reconnects the city to its natural tempo, offering a vibrant experience within a rare urban garden where nature and architecture are in perfect alignment. This slice of commercial paradise redefines how the city dines, reminding us that great design isn’t just about form, it’s also about feeling.
