Graya’s New Development Model: ‘Better Than James St’

The urban evolution of Brisbane’s affluent Hamilton—regarded as the city’s “old money” suburb—is being given the neo-luxury Graya treatment. And with it, a rival to inner-city Fortitude Valley’s upmarket James Street precinct is emerging on the north bank of the Brisbane River. The lauded south-east Queensland builder-developer—led by brothers Rob and Andrew Gray—is looking to make its mark across almost an entire block along Hamilton’s Racecourse Road retail and dining strip. “We believe this will be the next James Street,” director Rob Gray, speaking exclusively to The Urban Developer , said. “Thinking about all the luxury homes around Clayfield, Hamilton and Ascot, all those people when they go out, they still go to James Street for the shopping and restaurants. “But our goal for this project is to create something which is essentially better than James Street and in their local area … make Racecourse Road the spot for all those luxury suburbs so they can enjoy that experience without having to drive so far.” Graya revealed its vision in plans filed this week for a mixed-use midrise development dubbed The Gallery, touted not only to be a catalyst for the well-heeled precinct’s new era but a project that will define it. Overall, the sprawling four-storey proposal would accommodate 37 two and three-bedroom luxury apartments above a village-like retail hub spanning 1380sq m across its ground level. Designed by architecture studio Bureau Proberts, the scheme with feature stepped stone plinths is earmarked for a 3614sq m site at 63-71 Racecourse Road that also fronts Kent and Balowrie streets— next to Silverstone’s The Windemere mixed-use development. ▲ Renderings of Graya’s four-storey mixed-use The Gallery proposal along Racecourse Road, Hamilton. “As a catalytic project for Racecourse Road, The Gallery is more than a building—it is a place of activation, engagement, and renewal,” an urban design report said. “Through a design-led approach that fuses subtropical architecture with lush greenery and artisanal retail, it sets a new benchmark for high-quality, community-oriented development in Hamilton.” With a pipeline of projects nudging $1 billion, the proposal also heralds a strategic shift in Graya’s development approach to a more holistic model. “Graya is moving into lifestyle experience,” Gray said. “That’s the direction we’re heading in now, not just residential buildings. “The Gallery is a first for us … it’s got a lot of retail and commercial on the ground floor. “That’s our future model. Creating lifestyle hubs with mixed-use destination dining and retail amenities, so that people are able to come and stay there and not have to leave.” Eight retail tenancies anchor the Racecourse Road proposal, above which a mix of 9 two-bedroom and 28 three-bedroom apartments would be crowned by a residents-only rooftop retreat spanning 800sq m—including a resort-style pool, sunlounges, sauna/steam room, wellness centre, barbecues and indoor dining room. ▲ A rendering of Graya’s four-storey mixed-use proposal at Hamilton. Laneways weave through the proposed development to a central courtyard providing “opportunities for outdoor dining and passive respite for visitors and residents in a landscaped environment”. According to the documents, the design draws inspiration from grand heritage buildings that bookend Racecourse Road as well as the elevated timber Queenslanders on surrounding hillsides. “Establishing a civic presence that anchors the precinct while paying homage to the surrounding architectural fabric…the design blends old and new through broad, shaded verandahs, balcony trellis gardens and crafted plinths, with the ground level taking cues from the laneways of European villages.” It is not the first time Graya has been in this well-to-do neck of the woods but it is its first multi-residential foray in the area. Previoulsy, it has delivered some of the suburb’s most notable homes, such as Scorpia, Larc, and the Mediterranean-inspired Casa Espri, which recently resold for $12.5 million. “There’s long been a clear demand in Hamilton for a lifestyle precinct that combines luxury apartments with the type of vibrant, boutique retail we’ve seen delivered in places like James Street,” Gray said. “The Gallery is our response to that demand. “It’s not just about living well — it’s about living locally.” Pending approval, the project is expected to launch to market in early 2026. The filing of the proposal with the Brisbane City Council follows the developer’s early sales success with its tallest project to date —the 24-storey Enclave tower at Broadbeach, where more than $80 million worth of contracts were recently secured within 24 hours of release.

Graya’s New Development Model: ‘Better Than James St’

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