One of Brisbane's most popular markets and live music venues will shut at the end of the month due to residential development in the area.

The Boundary Street Markets and The Motor Room are preparing to close, with the last markets set down for April 23.

Councillor Jonathan Sri outside The Motor Room, which is set to close at the end of the month. ( 612 ABC Brisbane: Jessica Hinchliffe )

Three different markets are held across each weekend, including a farmers' markets and a night market involving food stalls and entertainment.

The former Absoe site on the corner of Boundary and Mollison streets has been earmarked for a $800 million residential development.

West Village developers Payce Consolidated and Sekisui House have issued plans that include seven 15-storey residential buildings.

Jonathan Sri, the new councillor for the Gabba ward, said the markets and The Motor Room had been a key meeting point for the community.

"It's really special and it has become the beating heart of the West End," he said.

"What I've always liked about the markets has been that they're not too snobby and you feel like anyone could walk in and start a conversation with strangers."

Visitors walk through the markets that serve as public space during non-market days. ( 612 ABC Brisbane: Jessica Hinchliffe )

The Motor Room sits at the centre of the markets and has become one of Brisbane's largest live music venues.

Also a musician, Cr Sri said seeing The Motor Room doors shut would be hard.

"It [The Motor Room] started at a time when many other music venues were closing down and many musicians were worried the culture would fragment," he said.

"The loss of the venue for me stands as one of the biggest losses to Brisbane's live music scene in the last few years.

One of the container shops that opens during the week at the markets. ( 612 ABC Brisbane: Jessica Hinchliffe )

"It connected people to the live music scene and to lose that gateway to the scene is going to be really hard for local bands for whom this is their big show.

"When it's gone I don't know where we will go."

He said the closure of the markets due to the development had seen local residents question the future of the area.

"People are really devastated and many people are frustrated that they didn't get more input into this decision," he said.

"What we want to see is that there's enough open space on this site and it can remain as a hub for the area ... a place where people feel comfortable meeting.

"It's not about saying no to development altogether and it's not West End nimbyism or people worried about property values; it's about the impact on the culture of the whole neighbourhood."

Trying to working together as development moves forward

The development application issued by Payce and Sekisui House show the master plans would "embrace Boundary Street, celebrate pedestrian connections, maximise open space and laneways".

It also states the plans "embody the aspirations set by the community and are committed to by the project team with key moves aimed to celebrate West Village as the centre of community life in West End".

Brisbane City Council has left the development application open for public comment.

Street art on the walls around the markets adds to the venue's atmosphere. ( 612 ABC Brisbane: Jessica Hinchliffe )

Cr Sri said he hoped the council kept the review at the top of its priority list.

"We're hoping the height restriction could be eight storeys instead of 15," he said.

"And for me, affordable housing has to be considered.

"This will ensure that the area retains its diverse demographic make-up which is really important for the character of West End."

The well-known train carriage bar at the entrance of the markets will go. ( 612 ABC Brisbane: Jessica Hinchliffe )

Cr Sri has met with the developers and said, to their credit, they were hearing the public feedback.

"They're doing their best to talk to residents, but I don't think they are taking the feedback onboard in their designs," he said.

"What I would like to see is for council or the State Government to step in and acquire some of the land so it's government owned."

The West End Community Association has also issued a petition online asking for the development to be called in by the State Government.

The ABC has contacted the developers for comment.