From a WWII bunker to one of Brisbane’s most beautiful dining destinations, discover how Layla — designed by Studio Y and built by Buildcorp under the culinary direction of Chef Shane Delia — brings history, architecture, and flavour together beneath the Thomas Dixon Centre.
From bunker to Brisbane’s hidden gem
Beneath the heritage-listed Thomas Dixon Centre, where Queensland Ballet rehearses above and creativity flows through every space, lies something extraordinary — Layla. Once a WWII bunker, the restaurant now stands as a story of rebirth and reinvention. Its walls, once built for protection, now embrace connection — a place where history, craft, and culinary expression converge.
The transformation wasn’t simply architectural; it was emotional. Each brick, each beam, each echo of the past was treated with care, preserving the building’s integrity while inviting in warmth, texture, and light.
A labour of craft — restoring the past
Restoring the bunker was an act of precision and respect.
Every brick was removed, numbered, and carefully placed back exactly where it came from — a process led by Buildcorp, the expert construction team behind the Thomas Dixon Centre’s restoration. Buildcorp’s craftsmanship ensured the historic structure was preserved with accuracy and integrity, while meeting the needs of a modern hospitality venue.
The original red bunker doors remain in place today — a striking nod to the site’s industrial past and a reminder that even the strongest foundations can evolve into something elegant. What was once a cold, utilitarian shell has become a space full of life, warmth, and story.
Studio Y — design with depth and emotion
To bring Layla’s rebirth to life, VenuesLive partnered with Studio Y, the acclaimed Melbourne-based interior design studio celebrated for its work blending sophistication with soul.
Studio Y approached the bunker not as a blank canvas, but as a living memory. Their design softened the hard edges of concrete with moody lighting, tactile materials, warm timber, and deep, earthy tones that echo the spice trail inspiring Chef Shane Delia’s menu.
Every design detail — from the gentle curve of the bar to the flicker of light on aged brick — enhances the intimacy and rhythm of dining. The result is a space that feels both ancient and immediate, grounded yet alive.
Flavour meets foundation
At the heart of this architectural rebirth is Chef Shane Delia’s borderless culinary philosophy. Just as the space honours its foundations, Shane’s menu layers tradition with innovation — drawing from the ancient spice routes while celebrating Queensland’s vibrant produce.
The food mirrors the space: bold, generous, and full of warmth. Smoked hummus, slow-roasted lamb shoulder, and fragrant seafood carry the same sense of balance and artistry that defines the restaurant’s design. Together, they form a conversation between past and present, architecture and appetite.
Beyond Layla — a precinct re-imagined
Layla is part of something bigger — the newly re-imagined Thomas Dixon Centre, a precinct that brings together performance, community, and hospitality under one roof. Above, Queensland Ballet’s studios and stages pulse with creativity. Beyond, spaces like the Kite Terrace rooftop and the promenade offer room for celebrations, events, and moments that bring people together.
Menus across the precinct are shaped by the same guiding hand — Shane Delia’s culinary direction, ensuring every experience, from canapés to gala dinner, carries the same warmth, quality, and generosity that define Layla.
Experience history, taste the future
What began as a bunker has become a beacon — of creativity, collaboration, and connection. Layla is proof that the past doesn’t have to be forgotten to create something new; it simply needs to be re-imagined.
Come see what lies beneath the surface.
