Delivered for Lion and the Mantle Group, this 1,400 sqm hospitality venue represents a collaborative design effort between Collins and Turner, Brisbane-based Baber Studio, and architect Andrew D’Occhio.

Occupying a raw retail shell defined by dramatic double-height volumes, an expressed concrete structural frame, and expansive glazed walls overlooking the Brisbane River, the project embraces the site’s semi-industrial character. The architectural response layers refined materials and crafted details to create a warm, immersive environment that balances sophistication with authenticity.

A rich interplay of surfaces—including amber glass, natural timber, and precious metals—contrasts with the raw concrete structure, offering a series of spatial experiences that evolve throughout the venue. These material choices subtly reference, in a contemporary and abstract manner, the story of James Squire, Australia’s first master brewer.

At the heart of the design lies a 12-hectolitre microbrewery, purpose-built to produce exclusive brews for on-site consumption. Suspended above the main bar on a custom steel gantry truss and fully enclosed in glass, the brewery forms both a functional centrepiece and a striking visual focal point within the space.

The venue is strategically organised into a variety of distinct zones to accommodate diverse user experiences, including:

• A central double-height main bar

• Intimate lounge and balcony seating areas

• A private dining room

• A two-level restaurant space

• The Squire’s Pantry — a coffee and breakfast bar

This diversity of spaces allows the venue to cater to a broad audience, from craft beer enthusiasts and families to visitors attending the nearby Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), South Bank Convention Centre, and ABC headquarters.

The material palette is intentionally raw and self-finished, selected for its robustness and capacity to age gracefully with minimal maintenance. Key materials include raw and painted steel plate, beaten copper sheeting, and fine copper mesh wall linings, complemented by amber-toned glass, galvanised steel mesh, and reclaimed Queensland spotted gum in charred and oiled finishes. Together, these elements create a warm and varied palette that enables tonal and atmospheric shifts throughout the venue.

Graphic and brand elements, developed in collaboration with design studio ExtraBlack, are subtly integrated throughout, reinforcing the James Squire identity in a refined and cohesive manner.

Completed in 2015, The Charming Squire was the largest James Squire venue at the time of opening and remains one of Brisbane’s most popular craft beer destinations. Following earlier venues in Adelaide and Newcastle (2012), the completed venue exemplifies the brand’s evolving architectural identity within a major urban context.