Tower Pitched to Resurrect Brisbane Cathedral Precinct

Love thy neighbour. That’s the Second Commandment and, clearly, not one that is forgotten by the land-rich Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane. Including—or maybe especially—when it is a proposed 39-storey neighbour. Practising what it preaches, the archdiocese has consented to a masterplan proposal being lodged for a new office tower development next to the city’s historic St Stephen’s Cathedral. The mixed-use development —integrating the resurrection of several heritage buildings—is earmarked for a 5070sq m site spanning nine lots fronting Edward and Charlotte streets, owned by the archdiocese. To be known as Brisbane Place, its centrepiece carbon neutral tower would rise from a “reverse podium” to preserve sightlines of the 151-year-old gothic revival spiritual landmark. “The proposal involves a masterplanned revitalisation of part of the ‘Cathedral Precinct’ between Edward, Charlotte, and Elizabeth streets,” the submitted planning documents said. Brisbane-based developer John Livingstone’s JGL Properties is behind the proposed development. ▲ Renderings of the 39-storey Brisbane Place proposal for 131 Edward Street. According to an Urbis planning report, the prime office space within the 48,617sq development would provide a timely addition to the CBD’s office stocks. “Due to ongoing population growth for Brisbane, as well as a lack of recent proposals for new major commercial projects in the city, office vacancy rates have continued to drop, particularly for A-grade space,” it said. “This signals diminished supply of quality office space in Brisbane city. The proposed development will provide a substantial amount of high-quality office space that can meet tenants demands of the modern commercial office market. “Prospective tenants for Brisbane continue to seek large floor plate sized accommodation (with tower floor plates of at least 1500sq m net lettable area) that can accommodate diverse but well-connected facilities within tenancies. “The proposed development directly responds to this, whilst ensuring that tower site coverage remains low across the site and broader Cathedral Precinct.” ▲ A rendering of the proposed Brisbane Place masterplan rising 39 storeys on the corner on Edward and Charlotte streets in the Brisbane CBD. Under the design by architects BlightRayner, the scheme is divided into a narrower six-level lower tower above which a larger 33-storey upper tower is elevated. The planned tower was designed to “sensitively integrate” and “nestle discreetly” between the site’s heritage assets, including the Stock Exchange Hotel, Penola Place, FH Faulding Warehouse and the Archive building. “The development aims to rejuvenate underutilised heritage structures while creating new public connections and a modern workplace environment,” the documents said. “[It] goes beyond a simple repositioning of heritage buildings, offering an opportunity to rejuvenate the currently dormant structures through adaptive reuse and functional servicing.” Nevertheless, it is noted a previously granted development approval and several heritage exemption certificates had been granted permitting certain “partial demolition works” across the 131 Edward Street site. But no further removal or demolition works are proposed as part of the masterplan application. And a submitted heritage impact assessment deemed that the Brisbane Place project had been designed “to respect and retain the cultural heritage significance of the heritage-listed places”. Overall, the proposed development comprises 47,710sq m of office space, 257sq m of food and drink tenancies as well as 650sq m dedicated to hotel and bar uses spread across the tower rooftop and a two-level corner wine bar slated for the Stock Exchange Hotel. ▲ Renderings of the proposed Brisbane Place tower development earmarked to rise from behind several heritage buildings next to St Stephen’s Cathedral. The plans also include 4014sq m of open space including a large balcony terrace and recreational area with pools, pavilion rooms and landscaped areas atop the lower tower. As well, the upper tower incorporates wintergardens and a rooftop sky garden with work and relaxation zones. As part of the development’s public realm, a new plaza and amphitheatre also are planned along with the reopening of Penola Place’s historic carriageway to provide a pedestrian link to St Stephen’s Cathedral. The proposed development includes a new single basement level for servicing purposes and storage space for 262 bicycles. No additional carparking would be provided as part of the proposed development and existing parking at 178 and 188 Charlotte Street for 54 vehicles would be utilised. Brisbane Place is also targeting a 5 Star Green Star rating among other sustainability metrics, with all-electric building systems supported by 100 per cent renewable energy achieving net zero emissions. “Major tenants in the city are seeking contemporary office facilities, with enhanced employee experience and wellbeing now being a key requirement,” the documents said. “The 131 Edward Street development will raise the benchmark of quality office accommodation in Brisbane. It will be recognised as the building which incorporates the latest thinking and technology to provide a vertically integrated working environment.”

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Phil Bartsch
Mon 07 Apr 25

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