Olympic Stadium Prompts 181-Apartment Tower Plan

Developers are eyeing the $1-billion Olympic Stadium redevelopment, lodging an application for 181 apartments at a corner block near Brisbane’s Gabba.

The plans include a two-storey podium with creative-tech workshops at ground level and short-term accommodation as well as apartments in the 14- to 18-storey towers.

Libbit Holdings, led by Elizabeth and Gregory Bitomsky, own and plan to develop the site at 9 Overend Street and 31-33 Wellington Road, East Brisbane with RAAB Family.

Rothelowman designed the building for the irregular-shaped 2671sq m site, including a communal, outdoor, work-from-home space above the podium, and a 554sq m rooftop garden and 133sq m community garden on level 14.

The apartments would be a mix of 60 one-, 101 two- and 20 three-bedroom units plus 221 car parking spaces.

The Bitomsky family purchased a single Queenslander home, which was relocated, in 2007 on one of the blocks, an ageing commercial building in 2006 and settled on the adjoining building in July, 2021 to create the site for the proposed development.

They sold their waterfront family home at 160 Macquarie Street, St Lucia to QM Properties in 2018, and also have connections to Axis Capital, which owned the former Flight Centre headquarters.

The latest application identified The Gabba at the “jewel of the Games” and it's substantial refurbishments as the main driver for the development.

“The subject site is located within 280m walking distances of The Gabba and is therefore ideally located to provide accommodation to support the Olympic Games and its legacy,” the application stated.

“Accordingly, all units are proposed to be interchangeably used between permanent residential and short-term accommodation, Therefore contributing to the availability of high-quality accommodation facilities for visiting tourists while also providing flexible use of residential accommodation and short-term accommodation beyond the Olympic Games.”

Planning is well under way for 2032 Brisbane Olympics with a host of major infrastructure projects ready to break ground.

It is expected average property prices around the 26 Games venues will be boosted beyond the $1-million mark.