Morris Makes Each-Way Bet on Brisbane Tower Plans

Two development proposals for a site are better than one, particularly in these tumultuous times. 

In Brisbane’s rapidly changing North Quarter precinct, developer Barry Morris is having a bet each way on a 1577sq m riverside parcel on the edge of the CBD.

With an approval in hand for a 24-storey office tower, his Morris Property Group has filed a second development application over the site—this time for a 33-storey residential play.

It would comprise 179 one, two and three-bedroom apartments as well as 2565sq m of communal open space, a four-level podium and four-level basement with parking for 218 vehicles and 224 bicycles.

Morris told The Urban Developer the developer’s planned $250-million office tower was not being abandoned, at least not yet, and the new proposal was “just shoring up our options” for the gateway site at 19 Eagle Terrace.

“We’re happy to have two DAs on foot,” he said. “We’re just looking at residential as another option … so we’ll make that decision when we get the second DA.”

Morris Property Group acquired the Eagle Terrace site in December 2015 for $12.35 million with an existing approval in place for a 20-storey, 126-apartment tower that lapsed in April 2019.

Its plans for a 21,323sq m office tower were given the go-ahead by the Brisbane City Council in December 2019—just prior to the pandemic—but to date a pre-commitment from an anchor tenant has not been secured.

“That location really is a question of getting the right tenant who is looking for the exposure and the naming rights.

“But, clearly, we can’t sit forever waiting for the right tenant. We have a pipeline of projects and we’re not inclined to sit and do nothing with our sites.

“The whole purpose is to seek opportunities, then to execute something. And if one opportunity doesn’t come to fruition, then we look at others. So we’re just shoring up our options and, clearly, residential is one of those options.

“It’s a great location. It’s only 500m to Roma Street Station and you’ve got all that Brisbane Live redevelopment that is certainly going to change the landscape in that area.

“The views are unbelievable up and down the Brisbane River … you can walk to the City, you can walk to Suncorp Stadium, you’ve got Caxton Street, all that amenity is within walking distance.”

The residential tower scheme has been designed by Canberra-based studio Guida Moseley Brown Architects.

It includes 17 one-bedroom, 131 two-bedroom units and 31 three-bedroom apartments across 28 levels, ground-floor lobby and lounge as well as a recreational podium and outdoor deck at level 4, including a swimming pool, barbecue areas, resident lounge and dining spaces.

The site has frontage to North Quay-Coronation Drive, Eagle Terrace and Quay Street.

According to a planning assessment report supporting the application, the proposed development “presents an existing opportunity to revitalise this site which is located at the western gateway to the city centre”.

“The proposed development’s prominent location on the corner of Eagle Terrace and North Quay will ensure 19 Eagle Terrace will be a signature residential tower in the inner-west,” it said.

“The development proposes to shape the evolution of an underutilised part of the city centre and will provide much-needed housing supply for the community in a highly accessible location.”

The report said North Quay was a natural extension to the city centre and, along with the development of the Brisbane Live entertainment hub above Roma Street Station, the proposed residential tower would “begin to catalyse this precinct and fill the gap between the city centre and the commercial development along Coronation Drive”.

“The proposed density and scale of the development capitalises on its key location at the western edge of the city centre while leveraging its gateway opportunity. 

“New opportunities for place-making, streetscape activation and active transport connections will ensure 19 Eagle Terrace will be a distinct, city-shaping new development.”

Morris Property Group’s latest proposal is among a number of recent DAs lodged for sites along Coronation Drive.

Silverstone Developments has filed plans for a 24-storey, 25,810sq m office tower designed by Woods Bagot for a 2339sq m site at 299 Coronation Drive, Milton.

As well, Taiwanese-backed developer Shayher Group recently unveiled concept plans for a four-tower “urban village” rising 30 to 37 storeys on a nearby riverside site at 50 McDougall Street with frontage Coronation Drive.