Chermside has long been Brisbane’s go-to for retail. Home to Queensland’s largest shopping centre, it draws hundreds of thousands of visitors who come for the stores, the food precinct, the cinema — and then leave. Until now, there was no reason to stay the night. That changes today.
The 148-key Adina Chermside Brisbane opened officially this morning, unveiled by Chermside Ward Councillor Danita Parry alongside General Manager Sue Rowe and developer Nick Barr of Limitless Developments. We were fortunate enough to be there — the only media in attendance, as a burst water main had forced the cancellation of the broader press event. What unfolded was something rarer than a hotel opening: an unhurried, intimate walk-through of one of Brisbane’s most considered new properties.
Architecture That Breathes
Designed by award-winning WMK Architecture under the direction of Practice Director David Percival, Adina Chermside is a building that earns its place. A series of stepped architectural forms pull natural light deep into corridors and guest areas, reducing the need for artificial lighting. Strong horizontal lines and vertical screening add both depth and shade. The external palette — traditional brickwork, terracotta tones, rendered surfaces — echoes the established character of the neighbourhood while living greenery woven through the podium and façade softens the whole composition.
Inside, soft nature-inspired materials flow from the lobby lounge through to the café/bar and meeting rooms — the kind of warm continuity that makes a guest feel settled rather than processed. Operable awning windows allow natural ventilation. Generous glazing frames distant views toward the Brisbane skyline.
“The interior experience was about creating a sense of retreat within an urban setting. Now that the hotel is open, you can see how the continuity of materials and the softness of the palette help establish a genuine ‘home away from home’ for a wide range of guests.”
David Percival, Practice Director, WMK Architecture
The Art on the Walls Has a Story
What sets Adina Chermside apart from most new hotels is the decision to fill its walls not with generic photography or abstract prints, but with work of genuine emotional weight.
Curated from Queensland photographer and filmmaker Sam Thies’ coffee table book BUSH, the collection is a socio-cultural study of outback Queensland — its landscapes, its communities, its quiet resilience. Works including Cattle grid at Shandonvale Station, Aramac and Gum tree, Eulo line the corridors and meeting spaces, grounding the property in a sense of place that no imported art direction could replicate.
For Sue Rowe, the connection is deeply personal. Her grandfather and father grew up on Diamond Downs, a cattle station in outback Queensland. When she walks through these corridors, she says, the photographs don’t just look like somewhere — they smell like somewhere. “The smell of dust after rain, the hum of cicadas, and the long roads home.”
“Adina Chermside isn’t just opening its doors; it’s opening a space where travellers can breathe out, settle in, and feel held by something recognisably their own. For many guests, particularly those visiting nearby hospitals or staying for extended periods, those familiar Australian landscapes create an immediate sense of calm and belonging.”
Sue Rowe, General Manager, Adina Chermside
The Offer
148 studios and one-bedroom apartments — each with kitchen and laundry facilities — sit alongside an all-day café and bar, fully equipped gym, undercover parking and flexible meeting spaces. The Staib and Hamilton rooms can operate independently or combine into the larger Maiwar Room, catering to everything from board meetings to intimate product launches.
Developer Nick Barr of Limitless Developments brings more than 25 years of Brisbane experience to the project, with a development portfolio valued at over $150 million and a further $160 million in the pipeline.
To celebrate the opening, Adina is offering a Shop, Stay and Play package — 15% off rooms, a $50 Westfield voucher, a bottle of wine and noon checkout — for stays booked before 31 July 2026. Room rates from $211 per night. Book at adinahotels.com.
