On July 26th 2015, Geoff Hogg, the Managing Director of Echo Entertainment, stated?that now they have been awarded the Brisbane casino license they are aiming to keep and re-purpose the heritage buildings when they build their AUD3 billion integrated resort.
George Deen of Deen Brothers, who is responsible for the demolition of landmark buildings in Brisbane like the Cloudland ballroom and the Bellevue Hotel, said that the casino project of Echo Entertainment would be hindered through the preservation of so many historical buildings. He said that is good to keep several of the buildings, but to try and keep an entire precinct would be counterproductive.
It has been stated by Hogg, that the project is set to begin in 2017, but there are elements that they can take care of before then like, the removal of non-heritage buildings.?The integrated resort will be built at Queen’s Wharf in Brisbane by Echo Entertainment.?The precinct will include leisure, accommodation, retail, dining and entertainment as well as the relocated Treasury Casino.
The aim is to transform Brisbane into a tourist destination. Echo Entertainment is paying close attention to the food and wine options that will be offered to guests at the resort. There will be more than 50 bars and restaurants at the complex and a few of these will be headed by celebrity chefs.
The facilities for food and beverage will create thousands of jobs as well as indirect jobs through local suppliers of foods and drinks.