North Lakes to Get Its Own ‘Mini James Street’ with $180-Million Precinct

North Lakes is about to change forever, with a $180 million five-star hotel and lifestyle precinct set to turn the town centre into a lively “mini James Street” — a place where locals can gather, dine, shop and experience a new side of community life.

Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026, with the City of Moreton Bay confirming the project as one of the region’s most significant developments ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

From Suburb to Destination

North Lakes has long been seen as a family-friendly suburb, with its parks, lakes and shopping centres defining daily life. But for many residents, a night out still meant travelling down the highway to Brisbane or the Sunshine Coast for boutique dining or cultural experiences. That’s why the plan for a precinct locals are already calling a “mini James Street” has drawn so much attention.

The new development, covering 1.72 hectares in the heart of the town centre, is designed to create an atmosphere usually associated with Brisbane’s inner-city cultural hubs. Restaurants, boutique retail, and wellness spaces will be paired with open public areas where locals can relax or meet with friends.

The precinct will give residents a reason to stay closer to home for lifestyle experiences, while also drawing new visitors into the area.

A Five-Star Centrepiece

At the heart of the project is a five-star resort, the first of its kind in North Lakes. The 130-room hotel will feature luxury facilities, including a lagoon pool, conference space, and wellness offerings. It is expected to play a significant role in attracting business events, national sporting teams, and leisure travellers, addressing the region’s current shortage of premium accommodation.

The Comiskey Group, a local family-owned developer, will also create a 2,500-square-metre hospitality venue within the precinct. Surrounded by new restaurants, boutique shops, and community spaces, the resort will anchor a lively mix of experiences designed to feel as comfortable for local families as for international visitors.

Economic Growth for a Growing City

The City of Moreton Bay has outlined the scale of the project’s expected benefits. Over the first five years of operation, the precinct is projected to inject approximately $538 million into the local economy. Construction and operations are anticipated to create approximately 880 jobs together.

Council leaders emphasised that North Lakes, already one of the fastest-growing parts of the city, needed this kind of investment to meet future demand. With the Brisbane 2032 Games approaching, the development is being positioned as a vital step in preparing the region for an increase in both local and international visitors.

For the community, the impact will be felt in multiple ways. From the tradies who will work on construction to young people entering the hospitality sector, and local businesses feeding into the supply chain, the flow-on effects of the precinct are expected to reach well beyond the hotel and restaurants themselves.

Design with Community at its Core

The precinct’s design, by Brisbane firm bureau^proberts, focuses on walkability and the blending of indoor and outdoor life. Plans call for open green space in the town centre, providing families with a space to gather and ensuring the development is not just for visitors, but also for locals who use it daily.

The development will be modelled after the success of Brisbane’s James Street and will aim for a space that is both stylish and practical, where food and culture sit alongside everyday convenience.

This is a step towards giving North Lakes a stronger sense of identity. A place where residents can meet, visitors can stay, and the community can feel proud of what has grown in its own backyard.