Paul; it was intended to create a retail focus to the Brisbane Commonwealth Games held in 1982.

The location previously operated as the 2000 seat Wintergarden Theatre cinema complex from 1924 until it closed in 1973 and was demolished in 1981.

[5] With the transfer of ownership of the theatre to the Kern Corporation in the 1970s, and plans for the construction of the Queensland Performing Arts Centre at South Bank, the Her Majestys Theatre building next door to the Wintergarden was also marked for demolition and inclusion in the proposed new Wintergarden shopping centre.

It boasted several national retailers previously unknown to Brisbane shoppers and the first CBD food courts covering a variety of cuisines.

As part of the exterior works, the old skybridge linking the Wintergarden to the David Jones department store was removed.