Artist David Bromley brings a new energy to cutting-edge West End development

Never before has Queensland seen a residential development display quite like the show they’re putting on for West End’s West Village.

Set in the old 1920s Peter’s ice cream factory buildings which will form the heart of the $800 million development, the display already boasts its own café at the end of a leafy laneway and a children’s activity centre luring littlies and their parents in from busy Boundary Street.

There was an icecream festival back in March that attracted 6000 visitors, there’s event space available for hire and there’s noted Australian artist David Bromley adding his signature style to the site.  

Controversy aside — the large development has attracted its share of opposition in Brisbane’s beloved boho neighbourhood —  the new energy Bromley’s presence as artist-in-residence has brought to the old building is undeniable.

Along with his wife, Yuge — together they are Bromley & Co — and with help from local street artist Lucks, Bromley has filled the space bearing his name into a stunning studio gallery of large scale paintings and sculptures.

Natural light streams in through the old factory windows onto the boats and trains — Bromley does not fly and the boats and trains have been recurring themes in his work — and the nudes and butterflies and boys own adventure-style paintings that he has become known for.

Project director Andrew Thompson says the Bromley Room is part of Japan-based developer Sekisui House’s efforts to engage the community.

“People are realising it’s not just an apartment building, it’s a community, a lifestyle… and we want to show that we mean it,” he said.

“We see this more as a neighbourhood development; this site is a catalyst site for the area, to create something new in an existing neighbourhood.”

Mr Thompson said there had been a lot of scepticism in the community because of the scale of the project but he hoped locals would pay a visit and see the display for themselves.

“There’s a level of density that wasn’t there before but what we are trying to say is that you can have increased density but still have a lifestyle and a community aspect provided it’s done right.

“Density does drive diversity. It’s key. When you go to New York there’s a lot of density but that means smaller retail opportunities can survive because there’s a much larger market. I think that’s the message that we try to provide.”

West Village was called in by the state government last September before final approval was granted in November with fresh conditions including a doubling of publicly accessible green space and a reduction in the overall number of apartments to 1250.

Mr Thompson said 30 per cent of the site would be open space.

“That will range from parklands to laneways, and then there’s an additional 15 per cent of podium landscaping which is for the residents.”

Much of Bromley’s work will remain as the project is finished. Stage One is due for completion by the end of 2018.

The Bromley Room will be open to the public on June 17 and 18, or by appointment. It can also be leased as event space.