Brisbane Is Officially Getting An Over-River Pool At Howard Smith Wharves

Brisbane’s most recognisable riverfront precinct is officially getting a major expansion ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the plans are ambitious.

Howard Smith Wharves has today announced approval for its landmark redevelopment project, paving the way for a new boutique hotel, Brisbane’s first over-river swimming pool, expanded public spaces and upgraded river access in what will become one of the city’s biggest tourism and lifestyle developments of the decade.

Rivershed

For a city already deep in transformation mode, the timing feels significant.

Over the past 12 months alone, Brisbane has watched a wave of luxury hotels, design-led hospitality venues and major infrastructure projects reshape the city ahead of 2032. Now, Howard Smith Wharves is doubling down on its position as the social and cultural heart of the river.

At the centre of the redevelopment is a striking 106-room boutique hotel overlooking the Brisbane River and Story Bridge, alongside what will likely become the project’s headline attraction: Brisbane’s first over-river pool.

Over-River Pool

Suspended above the waterline, the pool is set to deliver a completely new way to experience the river — and will no doubt become one of the city’s most photographed destinations once complete.

The redevelopment will also introduce two new cliffside lifts connecting the CBD to the waterfront, cascading river stairs, expanded outdoor public areas and redesigned pontoon infrastructure to improve tourism, transport and private boat access.

Felons Barrel Hall will also receive upgrades to support larger-scale music, entertainment and cultural programming, as Brisbane continues pushing towards a more globally competitive events and hospitality scene.

Public Domain

Founder of Howard Smith Wharves, Adam Flaskas, described the project as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” for Brisbane. “With Brisbane set to host the world for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, HSW 2.0 positions Howard Smith Wharves, and the Brisbane River, as a centrepiece of the city’s global moment,” he said.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the next stage of the precinct would bring more jobs, more public space and more reasons for locals and visitors to spend time along the riverfront.

Whether you’re excited by Brisbane’s rapid evolution or still adjusting to how quickly the city is changing, it’s hard to ignore the scale of what’s happening here.

Because this isn’t just another hotel announcement, it’s another sign of Brisbane shifting into a more international, design-conscious and tourism-focused city ahead of 2032 – with the river remaining firmly at the centre of that vision.

The redevelopment is expected to be completed ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.