First 50-Storey Tower Outside Brisbane CBD Waved Ahead

Brisbane’s first 50-storey tower outside its CBD has been given the green light, marking the next generation of revitalisation on the River City’s fringe. Part of a triple-tower development envisioned by Aria Property Group for South Brisbane, it will rise 207m—making it the city’s equal sixth tallest building. The landmark proposal, alongside two smaller towers of 24 and 40 storeys, has been approved for an amalgamated 7295 sq m site fronting Melbourne, Manning, and Edmondstone streets. Overall, it will comprise 678 apartments, 6039sq m of commercial-retail space and a “high-end” hotel. As well, a 1600sq m public park is planned “in lieu of a fourth tower” with a dining and retail precinct connected by a network of arcades and laneways between the buildings. A single connected basement will provide parking for 1078 cars and 75 motorbikes. The multi-stage development proposal had already been three years in the planning before Aria lodged its application last November with the Brisbane City Council. In the interim, the Kurilpa temporary local planning instrument (TLPI) was introduced in 2023 allowing greater density and building heights as well as reduced car parking requirements where design and sustainability benchmarks could be delivered. ▲ Renderings of Aria Property Group’s triple tower mixed-use development approved for South Brisbane. A town planning report prepared by Saunders Havill Group deemed the proposal—with a 90m frontage to Melbourne Street—a significant development opportunity “that will create a strong identity…putting the city’s best foot forward for the Olympic Games and leaving a legacy beyond”. “By virtue of its size, position and prominence on Melbourne Street, the site is of critical importance to South Brisbane and has the potential to be the catalyst that propels the next generation of revitalisation in the area,” it said. “With the importance of the site at the forefront of discussions, Aria and the design team have developed a neighbourhood transforming masterplanned development. “As a result of this planning and investment, it is believed that the site will become the centrepiece of South Brisbane and a focal point for high-end residential living, dining, retail and recreation.” The tallest of the approved trio of towers will match the height of the Aurora Tower (207m) in the CBD at 420 Queen Street. It will accommodate a 216-key hotel from levels 4 to 11 and 333 residential units from levels 13 to 50. The two smaller towers rising 24 and 40 storeys will comprise 114 and 231 apartments, respectively. The mix of apartments will mostly include one, two and three-bedroom units but some upper levels will offer four, five and six-bedroom penthouses. Each of the towers will feature rooftop recreation terraces—including barbecue areas, pools, saunas, hot and cold plunge pools, gyms and private dining rooms—with communal open space across the development totalling more than 6000 square metres. ▲ Renderings of the approved South Brisbane development. The scheme has been designed by architects Bates Smart and Richards and Spence to “feel like part of the neighbourhood”—with feature brick that extends across the ground plane and lower levels, expanding upon nearby Fish Lane Town Square and surrounding heritage. “It draws from the characteristics that define and distinguish South Brisbane from other places,” an architectural statement said. “In doing so, it gives us the best chance of creating a new place that is equally welcomed.” Two on-site heritage buildings will be refurbished and adaptively reused—including Malouf House on Edmondstone Street, where Brisbane author David Malouf was raised, and the Art Deco Bond’s Sweet Factory at 164 Melbourne Street, which was built in 1951. Meanwhile, another developer has revealed towering ambitions for its debut development in South Brisbane. Mosaic Property Group is seeking approval for a 37-storey residential highrise comprising 204 apartments on a riverfront site at 91-97 Montague Road and 6 Bouquet Street. Spanning a combined 4282sq m, the holding sits across five lots that Mosaic is proposing to reconfigure as two lots of 1801sq m and 2038sq m—the latter of which is earmarked for its proposed tower and the other for future development. ▲ A rendering of Mosaic Property Group’s proposed 37-storey South Brisbane tower. Under the scheme designed by architects Bureau Proberts, a solitary one-bedroom unit, 90 two-bedroom and 113 three-bedroom apartments would sit behind a distinctive scalloped facade and above a five-level podium and single-level basement. As well, the proposed development provides 1736sq m of communal open space, with recreational amenities across a rooftop terrace and mezzanine level featuring a pool, barbecue area, formal dining room, golf room, cinema/lounge, bar/games lounge and gym. Wellness facilities including sauna, steam room, infrared therapy and hot/cold plunge pools, as well as open lawn spaces, are also included in the scheme. Additional facilities include a pet lawn on level 7 and ground-floor amenities such as a business centre and meeting rooms overlooking Riverside Park. Parking space would be provided for 303 resident and 11 visitor cars across the basement, ground and podium levels. The tower would replace the former Prima Furniture building. Adding to the pipeline of proposals changing the skyline of South Brisbane, Melbourne-based builder and developer Pellicano has lodged plans for a 41-storey tower comprising 570 build-to-rent apartments . To be known as Boundary House, it would be among the tallest developments to date in the designated sustainable growth precinct across the Brisbane River from the CBD.

First 50-Storey Tower Outside Brisbane CBD Waved Ahead

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