Logan Road, Woolloongabba

This is perhaps the best effort at this kind of thing in Brisbane, although as noted above, the sheer volume of cars in the area is still a significant (and unsolvable) problem. Woollongabba really is almost destroyed by Brisbane's concrete fetish.

Nevertheless, when in the strip itself the heritage buildings are showcased, and are being put to good use by the generally quality restaurants and antique shops in the region. The area is also home to one of Brisbane's very few genuine small and (overused term, but what the hell) funky bars, Canvas. I think the restaurants and bars will eventually dominate the antique shops and with any luck the area will develop a real vibe.

Overall a good effort, just a shame the strip isn't three times as long for a real street feeling.

Pleasant place to spend an afternoon browsing and grazing. The amount of cars in the general area still detract from the experience.

Woolloongabba is one of those places so connected by long distance roads and rails (think Logan, Ipswich, Pacific…) that moving around locally is no mean feat, especially under foot or pedal power. Now that the final few hundred metres of the 18km Logan Road has recently been given the Council streetscape makeover treatment, this makes it an island of urban tranquility in a stormy sea of roads.

That this pleasant strip appears to function as a drive-to destination is no surprise then. On the Saturday afternoon of our visit, the ample street parking was all in use, while the street and shops were lightly trafficked. (Noting that as a street of largely pre-motordom buildings there is little off-street parking.)

These days the buildings – mostly two storey brick commercial type and all built hard to the footpath – house antique shops on the south side of the street, and smart new bistros on the north. At this point in history it’s a mix that fits. A stroll, a window shop, and a stop for lunch.

The streetscape works have been designed sympathetically to the function and built heritage here. The pedestrian realm has been enhanced with quality surfaces and street furniture. Crossings and flush kerbs have been installed, and two seating areas book-end the street. Located in the wide central reservation (otherwise used for parking) these spaces avoid cluttering the footpaths, which are already well used for shopping, dining and…walking.

The stand out design feature is probably the antique inspired, playful plastic shades on the streetlights. Some of these shades resemble white umbrellas, and others wine-coloured sitting room lamps from another era.

Tree planting is light, and rightly so. Here awnings on the buildings maintain solid shade cover over the paths. To over-green this street would - unusually for the subtropics - be out of place. This old meets new Gabba character is really what makes Logan Road a bit of a gem. It doesn’t have the busy community vibe of West End, or the tin and timber feel of Paddington. Logan Road has its own place-sense.

The Woolloongabba Urban Development Area across the road looks set to introduce high urban into this neighbourhood. That might be what’s needed to tame the traffic and bring in some people-based revitalisation to the area. As for Logan Road, this street just needs to be left to mature with age.