One of the first landowners in the area was James Gibbon. He purchased 48 hectares of land in 1865 between Newstead and New Farm and named the property Teneriffe, because it reminded him of Teneriffe, Canary Islands.
As wool exports from Queensland increased in the early 20th century, the economic importance of Teneriffe to the state also increased. The first wool store was built in 1909, with another three stores opening by 1915. Another nine wool stores were built, with the last two constructed during the 1950s.
In the mid to late 1990’s Teneriffe underwent a significant transformation under the control of the Brisbane City Council’s Urban Renewal Task Force. Today the precinct is a vibrant metropolis, alive with energy and true urban culture. Magnificently landscaped street facades and architecture from the old and new merge to form one of the most distinctive residential enclaves in Brisbane.
The new urban lifestyle sees us gravitating to the café society – bars, restaurants and outdoor cultural activities that seem to go hand in hand with our new environment. The rebirth of fringe city living on or close to the water, the desire to work in the CBD area and commute via the river has been a catalyst in driving the development activity in Teneriffe. Brisbane’s CBD is approximately three kilometres away and is easily reachable by fast and reliable City Glider bus and City Cat ferry services. Teneriffe is also connected with New Farm and Newstead by ‘River Walk’, a promenade linking the suburbs.
On the first Saturday in July each year the streets of Teneriffe come alive for the Teneriffe Festival. Initially conceived in 2010 to celebrate Teneriffe being gazetted a suburb and in recognition of it’s rich heritage, vibrant community, it’s cultural diversity and beauty. Around 50,000 people fill the streets, laneways and river walks to enjoy the sounds and smells of great music and fine food. The Teneriffe Festival is known as one of Brisbane’s most prominent community events.