Queensland Ballet, Layla Restaurant & Tom's Kitchen

Inside the heritage-listed former factory turned performing arts venue – the Thomas Dixon Centre in Brisbane’s West End is now home to two modern eateries: Layla and Tom’s Kitchen – delivered by our Queensland team in just 15 weeks.

From standing tall as a boot factory amongst a bustling industrial strip in the 1800s to serving as an air-raid shelter in World War II, the Thomas Dixon Centre has a long-standing legacy in Brisbane’s West End and has been the home of Queensland Ballet since 1991.

Having spent the last several years undergoing a significant redevelopment, its latest phase, led by Buildcorp, sees the former factory turned performing arts centre home to two brand new hospitality venues for show patrons and the public alike.

Two new modern eateries: Layla Restaurant and Tom’s Kitchen café, were delivered by our Queensland team in just 15 weeks.

With renowned Australian chef Shane Delia at the helm, the fit-out works for Layla transform a former war bunker into a bold and vibrant dining space. Buildcorp’s scope involved a fast-tracked programme to deliver alterations to existing, and installation of new services required for a modern 90-seat restaurant, installation of new commercial kitchen equipment, new joinery – including a bar, water & waiter stations & seating, new floor finishes, and paint and rendering works. Retaining the original brickwork pays homage to the venue’s history – contrasted with modern finishes to complement the bold vibrancy of the modern Australian cuisine the restaurant will serve.

The café fit-out works for the newly-opened Tom’s Kitchen included alterations to new and existing services, set-out and framing of new stud walls, installation of new kitchen equipment, new joinery including water stations, fridge openings & shelving, new terrazzo benchtops, new floor finishes, and painting throughout.