[+] Co-Living Tower Unveiled for Olympic Hotspot

Two-time Olympian Ed Fernon’s Brightlands Living has lodged plans for a co-living and specialist disability housing apartment tower in a booming Olympic suburb in Brisbane . The 2012 London and 2020 Tokyo Olympian represented Australia in the pentathlon while also setting up a property development business, Brightlands Living. The 14-storey tower would comprise 57 co-living units, 48 two-bedroom apartments and 15 specialist disability accommodation units on an amalgamated 2024sq m site behind Buranda Village and near the Princess Alexandra Hospital. The Place Studio-deisgned tower at 155-159 Regent Street, Woolloongabba is aimed at creating a “wellness community that caters to a range of residents with different housing needs” including traditional apartments, co-living and NDIS apartments. “The intent is to foster a diverse community by catering to a broad range of tenants with varying ages, occupations, income levels, ability and accommodation requirements,” the Mecone Town Planning report said. “Co-living is a relatively new concept in Brisbane but is well-established in other parts of the world.” “The concept is based on affordability and flexibility, with a focus on community and shared space. It delivers fully furnished units on flexible lease arrangements, which typically includes access to communal facilities and participation in hosted community events.” The cost of internet, water, electricity and, in some cases, cleaning is included in the rent price. “The co-living housing typology appeals to key workers such as nurses on low to middle incomes as well as visiting professionals, temporary business visitors, mature-aged students and transient residents.” Level 13 of the proposed tower is dedicated to communal facilities including an outdoor barbecue area, pool, yoga room, gym and sauna, as well as three meeting rooms and a communal dining room and kitchen. The site is currently made up of three lots, with two houses and a seven-unit apartment block that would make way for the apartment tower if approved. ▲ Brightlands Living is planning a co-living and specialist disability apartment tower in Woolloongabba in close proximity to the hospital and Brisbane's CBD. Woolloongabba has been slated as the heart of the Brisbane Olympics in 2032 with a billion-dollar overhaul of The Gabba, the Cross River Rail and a public realm mooted for the suburb. Corelogic head of research Tim Lawless said the area and surrounding suburbs could expect an uplift in demand and prices in the lead up to the Games. Developers are rushing into the Woolloongabba market to capture the momentum in the lead up to the 2032 Games. Sarazin recently filed plans for an art deco inspired twin-tower development in Woolloongabba, its third in the suburb, while Aria has lodged an application for a 100-apartment development at nearby Kangaroo Point . Student accommodation developer Wee Hur Holdings is pushing ahead with $400-million plans for stage two of the Buranda transit-orientated development, which includes a 28-storey apartment tower, 26-storey student tower, seven-storey aged care facility and commercial building. The Singapore-listed company purchased the approved three-stage Buranda transit-orientated development in 2014, opening the first stage in 2019 for a 1578-bed student accommodation facility. The 1.94-hectare site is made up of 45 land parcels next to the busway, train station and highway at 1 Gillingham Street, Woolloongabba. Earlier this year Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner demanded the state government increase its commitment to key worker and affordable housing to 600 apartments in the Cross River Rail Woolloongabba precinct , due to its proximity to public transport, the medical precinct, and the CBD. A Queensland government spokesperson confirmed the government had committed to turning 50 per cent of the new Gabba precinct into open space. “We’ve also made it a requirement that a minimum of 15 per cent of residences be high quality social or affordable housing,” the spokesperson said. “Investigations into the appropriate supply of social or affordable housing will be undertaken over the next 10 months as part of the detailed planning for the precinct including consideration of public realm, stadium redevelopment and transport connections.” You are currently experiencing The Urban Developer Plus (TUD+), our premium membership for property professionals. Click here to learn more.

[+] Co-Living Tower Unveiled for Olympic Hotspot

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