Unmitigated disaster - the now ACT premier Andrew Barr met a few hipsters in a cool cafe precinct at the launch of an art exhibition and decided (presumably shook hands on the deal after a few sherbets) that this million-dollar popup made out of yellow containers stuck on an old Futsal slab next to the lake would somehow replicate Canberra's inner-north hipster district and attract tourists. It is not only an eyesore, it is completely dead, including during school holidays when tourists are roaming Canberra. There is supposed to be a bar atop the edifice, but I have yet to see a patron. I think there is supposed to be a kebab shop there, but I wouldn't risk it, as there is simply no turnover. Westside is actually too depressing to go near any day of the week - park and head across the footbridge to New Acton where there are cafes and there is food and people. read more
