A set of empty restaurants at Brisbane's iconic South Bank will be demolished to make way for public green space.

The buildings on the riverfront have sat abandoned for the past six years, since they were ruined in the 2011 floods.

Infrastructure Minister Jackie Trad said the site would be cleared and redeveloped by the end of the year.

"It should be completely returfed and turned into additional parkland," she said.

Many restaurants along South Bank were inundated during the 2011 floods. ( ABC News )

Ms Trad said more public space was the best solution for the area.

"There was a process at the beginning to clean-up and see if the buildings could be rehabilitated and see if they could be re-tenanted," she said.

"This is all prime real estate but this is also a prime attraction for visitors who come to Brisbane."

South Bank celebrates 25 years at Expo '88 site

South Bank under construction in 1987 for World Expo 1988. ( Supplied: Queensland State Archives )

South Bank has marked 25 years since opening on June 20, 1992 at the site which first hosted World Expo '88.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk who was council's finance chairman at the time of World Expo says a lot of planning went into the South Bank development.

"There was an enormous public demand at the time — led by lord mayor Atkinson — to ensure that this land retained a public parkland status," he said.

"This is now the number one tourist area for Brisbane — 10 million visitations a year."

South Bank was buzzling with activity during World Expo 1988. ( Supplied: Queensland State Archives )

Brisbane City Council and South Bank Corporation will jointly fund the redevelopment.

Chair Catherin Bull said the riverfront attraction must cater for future growth.

"Like all urban planning success stories, we must constantly evolve alongside the changing needs of our neighbourhoods," Dr Bull said.

South Bank was granted $21.2 million for capital works and maintenance in this year's state budget.